Meaning of "Love Bites" by Ice Nine Kills

The lyrics of "Love Bites" delve into the dark and conflicting emotions of the protagonist. The opening line, "I'm tearing London limb from limb," portrays a destructive force that the protagonist feels trapped within. They acknowledge that this path is tearing them apart, but they perceive it as a necessary battle between "us or them." The line "softer the skin, the sharper the teeth" suggests that the protagonist, while yearning for love, recognizes their predatory nature.

The chorus, with lines like "howl at the moon" and "the softer the skin, the sharper the teeth," gives a sense of longing and inner turmoil. The protagonist is searching for an escape from their beastly instincts, hoping that beauty, represented as a savior, will help them overcome their darkness. This struggle becomes more pronounced in the lines, "I've fallen prey to a curse I can't disown" and "blood on the hands of a man so filled with doubt." They are plagued by doubt and guilt over their actions, but they cannot break free from the curse that compels them.

The repetition of the lines "howl at the moon" and "the softer the skin, the sharper the teeth" throughout the song reinforces the internal struggle. The protagonist grapples with their identity and the dichotomy between their longing for love and their innate predatory nature. They yearn for salvation, hoping that beauty will be their redemption.

The closing lines, "So just put me down," suggest a sense of resignation. The protagonist seems to be accepting their fate, acknowledging that their monstrous instincts may be too overpowering to resist. Despite their desire for love, they understand that they may never truly escape their darker nature.

Overall, "Love Bites" explores the internal conflict between love and monstrosity, highlighting the protagonist's struggle to reconcile their beastly instincts with their longing for connection. It portrays the difficulty of escaping one's true nature and the constant battle between good and evil within oneself.