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Boygenius - Bite The Hand Meaning

Updated: Mar 7



Delving into the meaning of the Boygenius track Bite The Hand it’s clear it is as always cathartic, however, this one is anthemic and is one you’ll want to sing loudly. Bite The Hand was released back in 2018 on the self-titled Boygenius EP. Even before listening to the band, anyone who is a fan of these artists will know what they’re getting themselves in for. 

Phoebe’s, Lucy's and Juliens' music has always been an explosive release of emotion.


What is The Meaning Of Bite The Hand By Boygenius?


Bite The Hand is written from the perspective of someone who is struggling to maintain their independence and self-worth in the face of external pressures and expectations. The lyrics are full of biting imagery and vivid metaphors, which help to convey the singer's inner turmoil.


The song's instrumentation is equally impressive, featuring a driving drumbeat, a soaring guitar riff, and a lush string arrangement. The interplay between the three singers is also a highlight whilst this is Lucys’song to shine, they each bring own their unique vocal style to the table.



Boygenius - Bite The Hand Review

Bite The Hand is the first song off of Boygenius’ self-titled EP released in 2018. Bite The Hand let’s Lucy Dacus shine on this track. Beginning with an acoustic guitar that sounds like it’s just being down-strummed which adds tension, bringing in Dacus’ sullen voice singing “I can't hear you, you're too far away, I can't see you, the light is in my face , I can't touch you, I wouldn't if I could”


Moving into the refrain which sees Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker joining in with Dacus. With one of their most painful lyrics “I can't love you how you want me to”

I can't love you how you want me to Meaning

The lyric I can't love you how you want me to on Bite The Hand calls to the idea of being able to love someone but not enough to drop everything to become what they need, or the way they deserve to be loved.


I highly recommend listening to Bite The Hand By Boygenius it’s a cathartic journey and a great opener to the self-titled EP.


Listen to Bite The Hand By Boygenius



Boygenius - Bite The Hand Lyrics

[Verse 1: Lucy Dacus]

I can't hear you, you're too far away

I can't see you, the light is in my face

I can't touch you, I wouldn't if I could


[Refrain: All]

I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to


[Verse 2: All]

Here's the best part, distilled for you

But you want what I can't give to you

Your hands are grabbing while my hands are tied


[Refrain: All]

I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to


[Bridge: All, Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker]

Ooh

Ooh

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think I am?

What do you wanna say?

What do you think will change?

Maybe I'm afraid of you

Maybe I'm afraid of you

I'll bite the hand that feeds me (Bite the hand that feeds me)

Bite the hand (Bite the hand)

Bite the hand that needs me (Bite the hand that needs me)

Bite the hand (Bite the hand)


[Refrain: Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker]

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you how you want me to)

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you how you want me to)

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you how you want me to)

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you)


[Outro: All]

I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to



Boygenius - Bite The Hand Lyrics Meaning

The lyrics to Bite The Hand by Boygenius, explore themes of distance, limitation, and the inability to meet someone's expectations in a relationship.



These lyrics by Boygenius, titled "Can't Love You," explore themes of distance, limitation, and the inability to meet someone's expectations in a relationship. Let's break down the lyrics:


Verse 1:

"I can't hear you, you're too far away

I can't see you, the light is in my face

I can't touch you, I wouldn't if I could"


In the opening lines, Lucy Dacus expresses a sense of physical and emotional distance. The inability to hear, see, and touch signifies a barrier between the speaker and the subject, creating a sense of separation.


Refrain:

"I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to"


The refrain reinforces the central theme of the song: the speaker cannot fulfill the expectations of the other person in the way they desire. There's a repetition of the inability to meet the specific expectations set by the other.


Verse 2:

"Here's the best part, distilled for you

But you want what I can't give to you

Your hands are grabbing while my hands are tied"


The second verse suggests an attempt to provide the best version of oneself, but despite that effort, the other person desires something that the speaker cannot provide. The imagery of hands being tied adds a layer of helplessness and constraint.


Bridge:

"Ooh

Ooh

Who do you think you are?

Who do you think I am?

What do you wanna say?

What do you think will change?

Maybe I'm afraid of you

Maybe I'm afraid of you

I'll bite the hand that feeds me

Bite the hand

Bite the hand that needs me

Bite the hand"


The bridge introduces a series of questions and self-reflection. The speaker questions the perception of both themselves and the other person in the relationship. The repetition of "I'll bite the hand that feeds me" suggests a willingness to confront or resist dependency.


Refrain (repeated):

"I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you how you want me to)

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you how you want me to)

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you how you want me to)

I can't love you how you want me to

(I can't love you how you want me to)

(I can't love you)"


The refrain is repeated, emphasizing the core message of the song. The inability to love as expected becomes a persistent and unchangeable aspect of the relationship.


Outro:

"I can't love you how you want me to

I can't love you how you want me to"


The outro reiterates the central theme, concluding the song with the acknowledgement that the speaker cannot fulfil the desired expectations of love.



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