The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Handsome" by the artist "Vaccines, The"

In The Vaccines' song "Handsome", the lyrical protagonist is torn between feelings of inadequacy and arrogance fueled by the flattery of others.

The first verse immediately plunges us into the character's conflicting emotions. On one hand, he fears being "eaten alive", indicating insecurity and fear of the outside world. On the other hand, constant compliments have convinced him of his own irresistibility, breeding arrogance and cynicism.

The second verse continues to develop the theme of self-admiration and contempt for others. The protagonist's body is likened to a temple, and those who admire him are like worshippers at his feet. The image of "punching their teeth in" underscores the cruelty and disdain he feels towards those who praise him.

The chorus reveals the reason for this behavior - profound sadness and loneliness. He feels like a hostage to his own beauty, which he perceives as the sole source of attention. He is "lonely, bored and mean", yet he thanks God for being handsome.

The third verse suggests that the protagonist recognizes the shallowness of his existence and the need for change ("pick up the pieces"). However, he has given up and sees no point in changing, as he has "nothing left to lose".

The fourth verse indicates that he is surrounded by similarly unhappy people who, like a contagious disease, share their misery with each other. The line "come over here and promise that you'll catch me if you can" can be interpreted as a challenge - no one can truly understand or save him from himself.

The rest of the song is a repetition of the chorus with variations, emphasizing the lyrical protagonist's narcissism and self-satisfaction. He revels in his own "cuteness" and "charm", oblivious to the emptiness and despair poisoning his life.