Meaning of “Washing Machine Heart” by Mitski
On “Washing Machine Heart”, Mitski not only likens her heart to a washing machine but, also important to note, one which the addressee uses to clean his “dirty shoes”. Said addressee would be her significant other. And anyone who has ever washed a pair of kicks inside of a conventional washing machine would likely attest to the fact that doing so generates a lot of noise. That would be the real-world fact that Mitski seemingly based the metaphor of the ‘dirty shoes banging up the inside’ of her “washing machine heart” on.
So more to the point is the idea that whatever these “dirty shoes” may represent, they are causing the vocalist considerable discomfort. And all lyrics considered, what Mitski seems to be getting at, more simply put, is suffering from the emotional/psychological ramifications of the addressee devaluing her.
This idea is presented most clearly, in a way, during the song’s bridge. And combined with what’s being put forth in the verses, what it appears the singer is more specifically contending with is being in love with a man who’s concurrently cheating on her.
“Toss your dirty shoes in my washing machine heart
Baby, bang it up inside
I’m not wearing my usual lipstick
I thought maybe we would kiss tonight“
Mitski talks about “Washing Machine Heart”
In shedding more light on this song, Mitski said she “just thought of the heart as a washing machine” – one which a careless person in your life just throws their “dirty shoes into”. Put simply, they are using your heart to clean the dirt they are smeared in.
When was “Washing Machine” Heart released?
It was formally released via an independent record label called Dead Oceans on August 17, 2018. It is the 12th track on the track listing of Mitski’s fifth studio album, “Be the Cowboy”.
Was this released as a Single?
No. “Be the Cowboy” was supported by the following singles:
- “Geyser”
- “Nobody”
- “Two Slow Dancers”
Despite being a non-single release, this tune went on to become one of the album’s most outstanding tracks. Another outstanding track from the album is “Me and My Husband“.
