The Chainsmokers’ track “Closer” dominated the airwaves and streaming charts for months, becoming an inescapable earworm. While initially dismissed by some as just another catchy pop song, its enduring popularity and lyrical content deserve a closer look, especially for those of us in the tattoo community. Beyond the synth beats and millennial romance narrative, there’s a line that stands out, particularly for ink enthusiasts: “Bite That Tattoo On Your Shoulder.” Let’s delve into this lyric and explore why it resonates, going beyond the surface meaning of the song itself.
More Than Just a Lyric: The Tattoo as a Focal Point
The song paints a picture of rekindled romance, nostalgia, and youthful recklessness. But within this narrative, the line “bite that tattoo on your shoulder” is incredibly evocative. It’s visceral, intimate, and undeniably linked to the world of body art. Why a tattoo? Why the shoulder? And what does biting it signify?
To understand the power of this line, let’s consider the verses leading up to it:
“Hey, I was doing just fine before I met you
I drink too much and that’s an issue but I’m okay
Hey, you tell your friends it was nice to meet them.
But I hope I never see them again”
These lines establish a sense of flawed characters and a slightly edgy, perhaps self-destructive, relationship. Then comes the reunion:
“I know it breaks your heart
Moved to the city in a broke down car
And four years, no calls
Now you’re looking pretty in a hotel bar
And I can’t stop
No, I can’t stop.”
The stage is set for a passionate, impulsive reconnection. And it’s within this moment of heightened emotion that the tattoo line explodes:
“So baby, pull me closer in the backseat of your Rover
That I know you can’t afford
**Bite that tattoo on your shoulder**
Pull the sheets right off the corner
Of the mattress that you stole
From your roommate back in Boulder
We ain’t ever getting older.”*
Unpacking “Bite That Tattoo On Your Shoulder”
This isn’t just about random actions; the tattoo on the shoulder is deliberate and loaded with meaning.
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The Shoulder as a Tattoo Placement: The shoulder is a popular location for tattoos for several reasons. It offers a relatively flat and broad canvas, allowing for diverse designs. It can be easily shown off or concealed, depending on the wearer’s preference. Shoulder tattoos can symbolize strength, responsibility, and the ability to carry burdens. In this context, the tattoo on her shoulder is a part of her identity, a piece of personal history now being revisited.
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The Act of Biting: Biting is a primal act, often associated with passion, possessiveness, and marking territory. In a romantic context, it can be a sign of intense desire and intimacy. Biting a tattoo takes this further. It’s not just biting skin; it’s interacting with a deliberate mark, a story etched onto the body. It’s a sensory experience that combines the physical act of biting with the visual and symbolic presence of the tattoo.
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Tattoo as a Memory and a Story: Tattoos are inherently linked to memory and personal narratives. A tattoo on the shoulder is likely to hold significance for the wearer, representing a moment, a belief, or a part of their journey. For the protagonist to single out this tattoo and want to “bite” it suggests a deep level of engagement with her past and her identity as embodied by the ink. It’s a recognition of her history and the changes (or lack thereof) time has brought.
Image alt text: A person’s shoulder with a detailed black ink mandala tattoo design, highlighting the shoulder as a tattoo placement area.
Beyond the Literal: Ink and Enduring Youth
The song continues with the line “We ain’t ever getting older,” which, in the original humorous interpretation, was linked to a vampire theme. However, through the lens of tattoos, this line gains another layer of meaning. Tattoos are permanent (or designed to be). They are a way of capturing a moment, a feeling, or an aesthetic that, while the body ages, remains relatively unchanged.
“You look as good as the day I met you
I forget just why I left you, I was insane.”
This reinforces the idea of time standing still, at least in the protagonist’s perception. The tattoo, a fixed point on a changing body, becomes a symbol of this perceived timelessness. It’s a visual anchor to a past self, a reminder of who she was – and perhaps still is, beneath the surface.
“Closer” and the Tattoo Connection
While “Closer” may be broadly interpreted as a song about rekindled romance, for tattoo lovers, the lyric “bite that tattoo on your shoulder” injects a powerful dose of ink-related imagery. It highlights the sensuality of tattoos, their role in personal identity, and their connection to memory and enduring impressions. Whether intentional or not, The Chainsmokers crafted a lyric that resonates deeply within tattoo culture, making us think about the stories etched on our skin and the intense emotions they can evoke.
And just like the disclaimer in the original article, let’s clarify: While “Closer” might be a catchy tune, for those with a deeper appreciation for music and perhaps a penchant for something a bit more edgy… Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” offers a different kind of intensity altogether.
