Meaning of "Pulling Teeth" by Green Day

The lyrics of "Pulling Teeth" by Green Day depict a toxic and abusive relationship. The narrator is physically and emotionally battered, describing themselves as "all busted up," with "broken bones and nasty cuts." These injuries are the result of repeated accidents caused by their partner, who the narrator suggests is the one who "put me in this state."

The repeated question of whether the partner is "ultra-violent" or "disturbed" reflects the narrator's uncertainty about the true nature of their partner's intentions and actions. The narrator feels the desperate need to declare their love before their partner repeats the cycle of abuse once again. This pattern of abuse and the fear it instills is exemplified by the line, "Oh god, she's killing me."

Despite the depiction of abuse, the narrator paradoxically claims that the person who inflicts harm also takes care of them. The line "She takes good care of me" suggests a skewed perception of love and care, where abuse is somehow normalized and justified. This sentiment is reinforced by the repeated affirmation of the narrator's love for their abuser, as they desperately plead, "Just keep saying my love is true."

The lyrics also convey a sense of isolation and loneliness. The narrator looks out their window, yearning for someone to notice their plight, but feels invisible to the outside world. The line "No one knows I'm locked in here, all I do is cry" encapsulates the emotional pain and despair they experience in their confined and abusive situation.

Overall, "Pulling Teeth" explores the complexities of an abusive relationship, capturing the conflicting emotions, fear, and feelings of entrapment that can arise in such situations.