Meaning of "Crawl" by Tei Shi

"Crawl" by Tei Shi dives into the complex emotions of being in a toxic or hurtful relationship where one party is treated poorly by the other. The protagonist seems to have accepted this mistreatment, stating that they would rather be hated together than loved apart. This could suggest a codependent relationship where the protagonist feels a strong connection to the other person despite the toxicity. The repeated lines about crawling, walking, and running the show could symbolize the stages of a deteriorating relationship, where one person gains power over the other only to watch it crumble in the end. The song seems to question what one truly desires and feels when everything comes crashing down. It discusses the idea of building something up, whether it's a relationship or an individual's self-worth, only to witness its downfall. The lyrics emphasize the importance of putting effort into things, even if the outcome is uncertain, in order to truly understand oneself and others.