Meaning and Lyrics of Mr. Self Destruct by Soft Cell

Song Lyrics meaning of Mr. Self Destruct by Soft Cell

About Soft Cell

Soft Cell is an English synth-pop duo formed in 1979, consisting of Marc Almond and Dave Ball. They rose to fame in the early 1980s with their hit song “Tainted Love,” which became a classic in the electronic music genre. Soft Cell’s music is known for its unique and dark sound, often exploring themes of love, lust, and urban life. One of Soft Cell’s lesser-known tracks is Mr. Self Destruct, a haunting and gritty song that showcases their edgy and experimental style. The duo’s music has had a lasting influence on the electronic music scene, and they are considered pioneers of the synth-pop genre.

Meaning of Mr. Self Destruct by Soft Cell

“Mr. Self Destruct” by Soft Cell delves into the themes of inner conflict, self-destructive behavior, and the struggle with personal demons. The song seems to narrate the story of a character who is a dreamer but is unable to escape the destructive patterns in their life. The lyrics depict someone who is rough around the edges, confrontational, and unwilling to conform to societal norms.

The character portrayed in the song appears to have a troubled past, with mention of being tough at a young age but also suffering significant setbacks. The repeated references to causing pain and responding aggressively to challenges suggest a volatile personality that thrives on conflict.

There is a recurring motif of looking into others’ eyes and perfecting lies, indicating a facade that the character maintains to shield themselves from introspection and criticism. The lyrics suggest a lack of introspection, with the character quick to retaliate and unwilling to confront the reasons behind their actions.

The song also touches on the theme of escapism through drugs (“The stuff is free”) and the cycle of building up one’s life only to tear it down again. This could symbolize a pattern of self-sabotage or a quest for temporary relief from internal struggles.

Overall, “Mr. Self Destruct” paints a picture of a complex individual grappling with their own demons, engaging in self-destructive behaviors, and seemingly trapped in a cycle of aggression and denial.

Lyrics of Mr. Self Destruct by Soft Cell

Always the dreamer
But never the dead
You had a rocky road mapped out somewhere in your head
Anyone in your way
Was a spike in your side
With one hand in the wallet
You took them for the ride

You could look in their eyes
You perfected a lie
Never gave them the chance to question why
If they hit on you
Then you slammed them right back
To hell with the cool
It was up and attack

You should have seen you when you were 18
You were the toughest little f…
I've ever seen
And with each downfall you turned 10 foot tall
The biggest kick in the balls you've ever been

And Dr Diablo's on his rounds again
Looking for blame
And you know that he'll diagnose pain again
Yeah pain again

Narrow the sorrow
Sick of the slick
Of the doors of discovery you had your pick
If they hit on you
Then you hit right back
Never keeping their cool
It was up and attack

You could look in their eyes
You perfected a lie
Never gave them the chance to question why
If they hit on you
Then you slammed them right back
To hell with the cool
It was up and attack

Whoa you're feeling so torrid today
Life has gone wild
No one blocks out the way
You even look good – so they say
A new lease of life flowed through your body today
(not that looks are all to go by – but anyway)

Shooting the A, Shooting the A, Shooting the A

The stuff is free
And you can now go to town
Building your life up and smashing it down
Building your life up and smashing it down

You couldn't escape from this fact of life
That existing makes you a mess
But every decision or feeling or reason
Causes some sort of mental distress
Your could look in their eyes
You perfected a lie
Never gave them the chance to question why
If they hit on you
Then you slammed them right back
To hell with the cool
It was up and attack

Leave the cool for the fool
Leave the cool for the fool
Leave the cool for the fool
Leave the cool for the fool
Hey hey

You couldn't escape from this fact of life
That existing makes you a mess
But every decision or feeling or reason
Causes some sort of mental distress
Your could look in their eyes
You perfected a lie
Never gave them the chance to question why
If they hit on you
Then you slammed them right back
To hell with the cool
It was up and attack

Hey
Building your life up (shooting the A, shooting the A)
And smashing it down
Building your life up (shooting the A, shooting the A)
And smashing it down
Building your life up (shooting the A, shooting the A)
And smashing it down

Discography Soft Cell

*Happiness Now Completed

Release: 2024-08-23
Label: BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
Popularity: 👏
1. First Hand Experience In Second Hand Love
2. Jukebox Head
3. Quiet Rebellion
4. Strange Kinda Dance – Edit
5. The Day The World Turned Day-Glo – Full Version
6. Vapourise – Edit
7. You Kill Me
8. Last Chance
9. Murder Your Darlings
10. Night And The City – 2023 Version
11. Gemini Lounge
12. Defiant
13. Back To Nature – Marc’s Mix
Tracklist Collapse

Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret - Deluxe Edition

Release: 2023-10-20
Label: BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
1. Frustration – Remastered 2023
2. Tainted Love – Remastered 2023
3. Seedy Films – Remastered 2023
4. Youth – Remastered 2023
5. Sex Dwarf – Remastered 2023
6. Entertain Me – Remastered 2023
7. Chips On My Shoulder – Remastered 2023
8. Bedsitter – Remastered 2023
9. Secret Life – Remastered 2023
10. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye – Remastered 2023
11. Tainted Love / Where Did Our Love Go? – Extended Version
12. Memorabilia – Single Version / Remastered 2023
13. A Man Could Get Lost – 7″ Single Version / Remastered 2023
14. Persuasion – 2023 Edit / Remastered 2023
15. Where Did Our Love Go? – 7″ Single Version / Remastered 2023
16. Facility Girls – 7″ Single Version / Remastered 2023
17. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye – 7″ Single Version / Instrumental / Remastered 2023
18. Fun City – Edit / Remastered 2023
19. Tainted Love – Aborted 1981 Studio Take
20. Frustration – 2023 Extended Version
21. Tainted Love – Dave Ball 2021 Extended Mix
22. Seedy Films – 2023 Extended Version
23. Youth – Dave Ball Wasted On The Young Mix
24. Sex Dwarf – 2023 Extended Version
25. Entertain Me – 2023 Extended Version
26. Chips On My Shoulder – Extended Mix
27. Bedsitter – Extended Version
28. Secret Life – Extended Mix
29. Say Hello, Wave Goodbye – Dave Ball Lateral Mix
30. Memorabilia – Extended Version
31. A Man Could Get Lost – 2023 Extended Version
Tracklist Collapse

Nostalgia Machine (The Remixes)

Release: 2023-09-08
Label: BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd.
1. Nostalgia Machine (Hifi Sean Extended Remix)
2. Nostalgia Machine (Hifi Sean Dub)
3. Nostalgia Machine (Hifi Sean Remix Edit)
4. Nostalgia Machine (Wally Funk Remix)
5. Nostalgia Machine (Wally Funk Remix Dub)
6. Nostalgia Machine (Full Length)
7. Nostalgia Machine (Manhattan Clique Dub Remix)
8. Nostalgia Machine (2023 Radio Edit)
Tracklist Collapse
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stream Mr. Self Destruct on your favorite platform

Identify any song playing in your browser. Free.

Share Mr. Self Destruct Song Meaning with your friends

or discover new music

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x