“Punish” is a new english song by Ethel Cain, released on the official YouTube channel of Ethel Cain. Written and produced by Ethel Cain herself, “Punish” serves as the lead single from her sophomore album, Perverts, set to release on January 8, 2025. The song was initially announced and performed live on June 3, 2024, during her performance at Le Trianon in Paris. Later, it was frequently included in her Childish Behaviour tour, giving fans a glimpse into the haunting ambiance of her album.
The lyrics of “Punish” delve deeply into themes of love, shame, and internalized pain, portraying a narrative of emotional endurance and suffering. Through evocative language, Cain reflects on the cyclical nature of self-inflicted emotional wounds and the intensity of unresolved traumas. The song’s raw lyricism, set against the backdrop of haunting instrumentation, captures a sense of vulnerability, confronting the listener with the weight of love as both a solace and a burden.
Punish Details
Song | Punish |
---|---|
Artists | Ethel Cain |
Written By | Ethel Cain |
Produced By | Ethel Cain |
Label | Ethel Cain |
Language | English |
Released Date | Nov 1, 2024 |
Punish Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Whatever’s wrong with me
I will take to bed
I give in so easy
Nature chews on me
Little death like lead
Poisonous and heavy
It has always been this way
It has always been this way
[Chorus]
I am punished by love
I am punished by love
[Verse 2]
In the morning I will mar myself again
He was a natural Plauché, saying “You won’t forget this”
Shame is sharp, and my skin gives so easy
Only God knows, only God would believe
That I was an angel, but they made me leave
They made me leave
[Chorus]
I am punished by love
I am punished by love
I am punished by love
I am punished by love
Punish Meaning
[Verse 1]
In this opening verse, Ethel Cain expresses a resigned acceptance of her inner turmoil, noting how her struggles are an inseparable part of her identity. She likens her emotions to a “little death,” conveying the heaviness and inescapability of her pain. This image of “lead” emphasizes the physical and emotional weight she carries, a weight that has defined her life and experiences. The repetition at the end reinforces the inevitability of her suffering, suggesting a cycle that she cannot escape.
[Chorus]
The chorus serves as a stark declaration of Cain’s conflicted relationship with love, which she perceives as a punishment. This phrase reveals her sense of being continually hurt or burdened by love, highlighting the paradox of love as both a source of connection and a cause of profound pain. The repeated line encapsulates her internal struggle, marking love as an ongoing affliction rather than a simple, comforting emotion.
[Verse 2]
In the second verse, Cain touches on themes of self-destruction and memory. She describes an intense encounter that left a deep impression, likening the experience to an irreversible mark on her identity. The reference to “Plauché” and the concept of being unforgettable adds a layer of personal and familial resonance. Cain feels marked by shame, suggesting that this emotional pain has eroded her sense of self. The verse concludes with a reflection on her lost innocence, indicating that her past mistakes or experiences forced her to leave behind a part of herself, as if exiled from purity.
[Chorus]
As the chorus repeats, it reinforces the theme of punishment through love, symbolizing Cain’s constant struggle with this consuming emotion. Her repeated declaration underlines the persistence of her suffering, a relentless cycle that traps her in a conflicting state of yearning and self-punishment. The chorus solidifies the song’s central message, depicting love as a source of perpetual hardship.
Punish Official Video
Perverts Songs
FAQs
The "Punish" song is sung by Ethel Cain.
The "Punish" song by Ethel Cain lyrics was written by Ethel Cain.
The "Punish" song by Ethel Cain was produced by Ethel Cain.
Ethel Cain released "Punish" song on Nov 1, 2024.