Meaning of "Red Dahlia" by Mili

The lyrics of "Red Dahlia" depict a destructive relationship with a doctor or medical figure. The opening lines, "Hey doctor, take my temperature, Think I've got a fever," suggest that the narrator is seeking help from the doctor, possibly for a physical illness but also metaphorically for their emotional state. However, the narrator feels that the doctor only worsens their condition, with their touch raising their pressure and making them feel worse. This indicates that the relationship is toxic and detrimental to the narrator's well-being.

The repeated line "Blooms, it blooms" throughout the song represents the growth and manifestation of the narrator's emotions. The metaphor of a flower, specifically a dahlia, is used to convey the complexity and beauty of these emotions. The seed that the doctor has left inside the narrator blooms and thrives, despite not needing air or sunlight. This could suggest that the emotional bond created by the doctor is deeply ingrained in the narrator's being and persists even without external factors.

The lyrics also introduce the concept of a secret garden and the serenades produced by it. This can be interpreted as the hidden and intimate aspects of the relationship, with the garden symbolizing secrecy and the serenades representing the emotional exchanges between the narrator and the doctor. As the dahlia blooms, the florets turn bright red, indicating the intensity and passion of the emotions involved.

The lines "Separate me in half, So the doctor can stitch me back up again, Separate me in half, Prosper, my dear dahlia" suggest that the narrator is willing to undergo pain and division in the hopes of healing and revitalizing the relationship. This highlights the entanglement and dependency the narrator has on the doctor, despite the damaging effects.

The closing lines of the song, "Forever it blooms, And dies, And blooms, Silently it blooms," encapsulate the contradictory nature of the relationship. Despite its destructive nature, the dahlia continues to bloom silently, signifying the enduring emotional impact and the cyclical nature of the relationship itself. The dahlia seems to represent the narrator's vulnerability and willingness to continue experiencing pain in pursuit of love and connection.