Beware! Criminal by Incubus Lyrics Meaning – Decoding the Labyrinth of Love and Loss
Lyrics
Smell of wine and cigarettes
A butterfly under the glass; you are beautiful
But your not going anywhere
We do the same thing everynight I
Swear I’ve heard this song before
A swimmer who has seen a shark, I should
Really be more wary of the water
You came you saw you conquered everyone
And I’m left here guessing o what went wrong
Yeah I’m down but not out and far from dome
Hey all! beware! criminal
A prism with an intellect
You throw your light selectively
You stole my glow a seasoned thief, the blacks
Of my eyes are turning into opals
Today I walk there’s nothing left here for me
But empty promises and the though of
All the things I’m never getting back
You came you saw you conquered everyone
Now I’m left here bleeding
Oh what went wrong
Ya I’m down but not out
And far from done
Hey all! beware! criminal
Did you think did you think I wouldn’t notice
Did you think did you think did you really think I wouldn’t care
At first glance, the song ‘Beware! Criminal’ by alternative-rock veterans Incubus seems like a turbulent love ballad, soaked in the smell of wine and late-night regrets. Incubus, known for their intricate lyricism and the ability to bridge the chasm between different musical genres, has, through this song, painted a portrait of love, deceit, and the human condition.
The song is a cathartic journey through the emotional wreckage of a relationship. It’s a familiar story amplified by the band’s raw energy and the visceral, haunting imagery that lead singer Brandon Boyd is known for. This track isn’t just a cautionary tale against a heartbreaker; it’s a deep dive into the psyche of someone left in the ruins of promises, trying to comprehend their loss and find a path forward.
The Metaphorical Genius Behind ‘A Butterfly Under the Glass’
Incubus poignantly utilizes the metaphor of ‘a butterfly under the glass’ to illustrate the allure and subsequent entrapment in a toxic relationship. The image is striking—something beautiful, seemingly full of potential, pinned in place, unable to fulfill its destiny. It reflects the bittersweet reality that sometimes, what entices us can also imprison us.
Boyd’s voice captures this duality perfectly, both admiring the beauty of his partner—the allure that keeps him coming back—and simultaneously acknowledging that she will ultimately not lead him to any destination or fulfillment. Therein lies the tension that propels the emotional undercurrent of the song.
‘Swimmer Who Has Seen a Shark’ – The Predator in Romance
The phrase ‘a swimmer who has seen a shark’ conveys a foreboding sense of danger and vulnerability. It’s striking imagery illustrating the trepidation one feels when sensing something is amiss in a relationship. Recognizing the risk but being trapped in the inertia of familiarity is a common human folly Incubus manages to encapsulate with deft lyrical precision.
Such a line warns of the peril in ignoring one’s intuition when enchantment blinds reason – a universal theme that resonates deeply with anyone who has felt the sting of betrayal. Incubus is reminding us that sometimes the things we love can turn dangerous, and awareness is our only lifeguard.
Dissecting The Hidden Meaning: ‘Prism with an Intellect’
Delving into the deeper symbolism of the song, Incubus introduces a ‘prism with an intellect,’ suggesting a lover who manipulates light—and by extension, truth—to paint reality in hues that only serve them. It’s a potent allegory for emotional manipulation, where selective honesty becomes a tool for control and deception.
This concept rings true for many listeners who’ve navigated relationships marred by half-truths. By equating the perpetrator to a ‘seasoned thief’ who has stolen the narrator’s glow, Boyd emphasizes the severity of emotional theft, leaving the victim’s inner world darkened and scarred.
Memorable Lines: ‘Hey all! beware! criminal’
The straightforward exclamation ‘Hey all! beware! criminal’ underscores the urgency and a sense of warning emanating from the song. It acts as a public service announcement against the emotional burglar who has left a trail of heartache. Incubus masterfully transforms personal pain into a universal alarm, striking a chord with listeners who understand the gravity of emotional deceit.
Regardless of the literal interpretation, the lines become a chant, a rallying cry for the victims of love’s darker side. It’s in this communal recognition of hurt and the call to vigilance that the song finds a powerful connecting thread with its audience.
The Catharsis of Recognition – ‘Did you think I wouldn’t care?’
In the closing lines of ‘Beware! Criminal’, a defiant Boyd confronts the offender with ‘Did you think I wouldn’t care?’. This poignant question draws the listener into the final act of the drama, forcing both the singer and audience to face the anguish of indifference which so often accompanies the end of an affair.
By giving voice to this internal struggle, Incubus creates a cathartic moment wherein acknowledgment of one’s worth and the gravity of loss are finally reconciled. It’s a liberating experience for anyone who has ever been wronged, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of emotional devastation.
