Striptease Lyrics – FKA twigs

Striptease Lyrics Meaning

[Chorus]
The singer feels alive and is ready to reveal herself emotionally, even though it’s late at night. She wants to share her intimate thoughts and vulnerabilities with someone, showing a part of herself that others may not see. The “birthmark on my mind” could symbolize a unique memory or a personal experience that she thinks the other person will appreciate. There’s a sense of playfulness as she becomes more expressive and open.

[Post-Chorus]
This short post-chorus hints at an intimate and vulnerable moment where the singer feels exposed emotionally. The mention of “sternum stretched wide” suggests that she’s opening up her heart fully, revealing her inner self.

[Verse]
The verse uses the metaphor of a striptease to describe the act of opening up emotionally. As she reveals her true self, it feels like shedding layers—similar to how a striptease gradually removes clothes. The imagery of “silk for my tears and lace for my fears” highlights vulnerability, with delicate fabrics symbolizing both sorrow and anxiety. She’s letting go of her emotional pain as she exposes herself more.

[Refrain]
The refrain reflects the sensation of losing oneself in the act of emotional release. The singer is “lost” in the process of opening up, letting her feelings flow freely, much like someone caught in the rhythm of a striptease.

[Chorus]
Here, the singer feels energized and alive, yet on the edge of emotional overwhelm. She wants to expose herself—physically and emotionally—showing vulnerability through actions like arching her spine or offering subtle gestures. The imagery of “read my every line” indicates that she is ready for someone to deeply understand her, without hiding anything.

[Bridge]
The bridge feels like a moment of deep connection. “Eyes wide” suggests an intense awareness or openness, and “Breathe in my insides” implies a desire for someone to truly understand and absorb her emotions.

[Verse]
In this verse, the striptease metaphor continues, with the singer feeling as though revealing her heart is an act of stripping away emotional barriers. The silk and lace represent the fragility of her emotions, while the act of opening up brings her closer to releasing the emotional pain she carries.

[Refrain]
This refrain shows the singer’s immersion in the emotional act of release, as she flows freely and loses herself in the act of exposing her inner self, like the fluid movements of a striptease.

[Pre-Chorus]
This brief pre-chorus line intensifies the emotional atmosphere. “Late nights” suggests a time of vulnerability, and “sternum stretched wide” amplifies the feeling of emotional openness, as if she’s laying her heart bare.

[Chorus]
This final chorus brings the theme of emotional exposure full circle. The singer wants to be understood deeply, even revealing her quirks or scars. There’s a sense of both yearning and confidence in this moment of emotional revelation, where she’s offering everything to the other person—ready to be read, understood, and accepted for who she truly is.