Meaning of "Vasoline" by Stone Temple Pilots

The lyrics of "Vasoline" delve into the themes of deception, confusion, and feeling trapped within a cycle. The initial lines, "One time a thing occurred to me, What's real and what's for sale?" suggest a moment of realization and contemplation regarding authenticity and the commodification of emotions and experiences. The act of blowing a kiss and trying to take it home represents the narrator's pursuit of genuine connection or understanding, only to be met with disappointment. The recurring phrase "Isn't you, isn't me" further emphasizes the theme of confusion and a lack of clarity in relationships or self-identity. The search for things that can't be seen hints at a desire for deeper meaning or understanding in a world filled with superficiality.

The reference to being "punch drunk and without bail" implies a sense of being overwhelmed and unable to escape from one's circumstances or emotions. The line "Think I'd be safer all alone" suggests that the narrator contemplates the idea of isolation as a means of protection or escape. The flies in the vasoline symbolize the entrapment and repeated mistakes the narrator finds themselves in. This image highlights the frustration and futility of trying to break free from a cycle of uncertainty and struggle.

The final stanza shifts to a more confrontational tone, highlighting the lies and deception that the narrator encounters. The line "You'll eat the lies and you will" suggests a surrender or resignation to the manipulations and falsehoods of the world. The repeated refrain of "Flies in the vasoline we are, sometimes it blows my mind, keep getting stuck here all the time" reflects the narrator's frustration and sense of being trapped in a state of mind that they cannot escape.

On a broader level, "Vasoline" can be seen as a commentary on the challenges of navigating a world that often prioritizes surface-level appearances and invites individuals to question their own authenticity. The lyrics evoke a sense of disorientation and the longing for something more genuine and meaningful.