Lagartija Nick

Bauhaus's song 'Lagartija Nick' delves into the complex interplay between pain, desire, and dark pleasures. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character who revels in the sensations of pain and the thrill of the forbidden. The opening lines, 'Move his way / Nice and Slow / Paint it all black / Let the humorous glow,' set a tone of deliberate, almost ritualistic actions. The reference to 'sacher-masoch' alludes to Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose works explored themes of masochism, indicating that the character finds a perverse pleasure in pain.

The recurring command to 'Crack the whip' serves as both a literal and metaphorical call to action, emphasizing the dominance and submission dynamic. The imagery of 'swallowing flames' and 'sinking in the snow' juxtaposes intense heat and cold, symbolizing the extremes of sensation that the character experiences. The name 'Lagartija Nick' itself adds an element of mystery and exoticism, suggesting a persona that is both alluring and dangerous.

The song's setting, described as a 'cruel garden of dark delights,' evokes a sense of a hidden, nocturnal world where societal norms are subverted, and primal desires are unleashed. The 'sixteen cages crawl in line' could symbolize the constraints and boundaries within this world, while 'desire is a heady wine' captures the intoxicating nature of forbidden pleasures. Bauhaus, known for their gothic rock style, uses these dark, poetic lyrics to explore themes of pain, pleasure, and the human fascination with the macabre.