Released: 1997
‘Mascara’ by Deftones is a haunting portrayal of a toxic relationship. The lyrics convey a complex blend of attraction and repulsion, revealing a relationship marked by conflict and emotional turmoil.
The opening lines, ‘I feel soon I will sink into you, What do you think?’ suggest an impending sense of doom. The protagonist is foreseeing a destructive outcome, yet he’s still drawn to his partner, hinting at a complicated, perhaps unhealthy, attachment.
‘Cause there’s still blood in your hair, I’ve got the bruise of the year’ – these lines paint a picture of a relationship scarred by violence and conflict. The blood and the bruise are symbolic, representing the pain and hurt that the protagonist is experiencing.
The lines ‘But there’s something about her, Long, shady eyes, I’m all about her shade tonight’ show the protagonist’s fascination with his partner’s mysterious, ‘shady’ nature. Despite the chaos, he’s entranced by her enigmatic charm.
‘I hate your tattoos, You have weak wrists, But I’ll keep you’ – here, the protagonist expresses dislike for his partner’s physical traits, yet admits he’ll keep her. This further emphasizes the dysfunctional dynamic of their relationship.
The repeated line ‘It’s too bad, It’s too bad, It’s too bad, You’re married to me’ serves as a self-deprecating admission. The protagonist acknowledges that being in a relationship with him is unfortunate, suggesting a sense of guilt and regret.
In conclusion, ‘Mascara’ is a stark depiction of a turbulent relationship, where love, attraction, and resentment coexist. It’s a profound exploration of the darker aspects of human emotions and relationships.
