Change (In the House of Flies) by Deftones Lyrics Meaning – A Dive Into the Metamorphosis of Self
Lyrics
Into a fly
I looked away
You were on fire
I watched a change in you
It’s like you never had wings
Now you feel so alive
I’ve watched you change
I took you home
Set you on the glass
I pulled off your wings
Then I laughed
I watched a change in you
like you never had wings
Now you feel so alive
I’ve watched you change
Like you never had wings
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I look at the cross
Then I look away
Gave you the gun
To blow me away
I watched a change in you
It’s like you never had wings
Now you feel so alive
I’ve watched you change
You feel alive
You feel alive
You feel alive
I’ve watched you change
It’s like you never had wings
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I
You changed
You changed
You changed
Deftones’ 2000 hit ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’ is a haunting anthem that’s become a staple of the alternative metal genre, but its lingering impact goes far beyond its distinctive sound. The song, with its ethereal guitar riffs and Chino Moreno’s echoing vocals, serves as a chilling narrative of transformation and the sinister side of human nature.
Nestled within the band’s critically acclaimed album ‘White Pony’, ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’ draws listeners into a complex web of metaphor and emotive storytelling. The lyrics paint a visceral picture, one that’s open to interpretation yet clings to a central theme of metamorphosis both terrifying and enlightening.
The Transformation Game – An Uneasy Evolvement
The lyric ‘I watched you change into a fly’ thrusts us directly into the process of metamorphosis. This transformation might signify the loss of innocence or perhaps the darker side of growth that every individual faces. The fly, often associated with decay and the ephemeral nature of life, is a stark contrast to the creature it once was, suggesting a deep and irreversible change.
Furthermore, the seemingly voyeuristic aspect of watching someone else undergo this transformation suggests a detachment, a cold observation of change without intervention. There’s a sense of power in this act of watching – the power to see but not alter, to know but not empathize.
The Pull of Power and Domination
Taking someone ‘home’ and ‘setting you on the glass’ could easily be a metaphor for placing someone under scrutiny, where their every flaw and movement is subject to observation. The act of pulling off wings is perhaps one of the most vivid and violent images in the song, symbolizing control, domination, and possibly the taking of innocence.
This show of control aligns disturbingly with the chuckle that follows, painting a portrait of sadistic pleasure derived from someone else’s pain – a significant return to themes of power from the opening lines.
Peering into the Abyss of Change
‘I look at the cross, Then I look away’ – these lines might signify a moment of moral contemplation, a questioning of faith, or a rejection of salvation. Moreno’s lyrics often grapple with the theme of faith, and this fleeting reference to the cross could imply a struggle with belief during times of profound change.
Handing over the gun offers the ultimate power – the power over life and death. In this context, ‘blow me away’ could refer to a surprising realization, a destruction of former self, or perhaps a plea for the changed individual to end the old version of the one who has been watching.
The Finality of Transformation
Repeated lines in music can either drill home a truth or signify a haunting obsession, and ‘I’ve watched you change’ does both. Here, the repetition heightens the sense of anxiety, suggesting that the changes witnessed are irreversible and have left an indelible mark on both parties involved.
Every iteration of ‘You feel so alive’ juxtaposes the possibly painful transformation with a newfound vibrance. This duality asks the listener to consider at which cost comes this vivacity, and whether such change results in actual living or a mimicry of life – a crucial question in the art of shifting forms.
Unraveling the Hidden Meaning: It’s Personal
While the band has never revealed the definitive meaning behind ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’, it’s undeniable that the song hints at personal and societal themes. The individual’s journey through the grotesque to find a bizarre form of enlightenment resonates with listeners, reflecting our own experiences of change that feel both invasive and liberating.
Each cryptic lyric can be both a window and a mirror – they give us a view into Moreno’s thoughts but also reflect our deepest fears and desires about transformation. This exploration of human psychology, seen through a darkened, distorted lens, is what makes ‘Change (In the House of Flies)’ a timeless piece.
