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Meaning of ‘Barracuda’ by ‘Heart’

Released: 1977

‘Barracuda’ by Heart is a song that’s all about standing up to deceit and manipulation. It uses vivid imagery and metaphorical language to paint a picture of a struggle against a predatory figure, symbolized by the ‘barracuda’.

The opening lines depict a painful reunion with someone from the past. The protagonist has to ‘turn their heart away’, hinting at a past betrayal. The ‘smile like the sun’ and ‘kisses for everyone’ suggest a charming but deceitful personality.

The ‘lying so low into the weeds’ and ‘ambush’ references suggest a predatory nature, much like a barracuda. The protagonist is wary of falling into the same trap again, hence the line ‘you’d have me down, down, down on my knees’.

The ‘porpoise’ is another marine metaphor, possibly representing innocence or naivety. The line ‘you, and the porpoise, and me’ might suggest a time when they were all on the same side, before the betrayal.

The ‘selling a song, a name’ line implies the exploitation of art for personal gain. If the ‘real thing’ doesn’t work, the antagonist is advised to ‘make up something quick’, hinting at their manipulative nature.

The repeated line ‘you’re gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn to the wick’ is a warning to the antagonist. Their deceitful ways will eventually lead to their downfall.

The ‘western fools’ could be a reference to the naivety of those who believe in the antagonist’s lies. The protagonist, however, ‘swam without looking back’, choosing to move on from the deceit.

In essence, ‘Barracuda’ is a powerful statement against manipulation and deceit, a battle cry for those who’ve been wronged and are ready to stand their ground.

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