Peeping Tom

Placebo's song 'Peeping Tom' delves into the psyche of a person grappling with feelings of inadequacy, addiction, and emotional vulnerability. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels small and insignificant, yet finds a sense of elevation and worth through their fixation on another person. The metaphor of being a 'peeping tom' suggests a sense of voyeurism and detachment, highlighting the protagonist's isolation and longing for connection. This person has been 'on their own for far too long,' indicating a prolonged period of loneliness and self-destructive behavior, particularly with alcohol ('problems with the booze') and possibly other substances ('troubles with the gear').

The repeated phrases 'I'm weightless, I'm bare, I'm faithless, I'm scared' serve as a haunting refrain that underscores the protagonist's fragile state of mind. These words convey a sense of emptiness and fear, as if the person is stripped of all defenses and left to confront their own vulnerabilities. The use of 'weightless' and 'bare' suggests a feeling of being unanchored and exposed, while 'faithless' and 'scared' reveal a deep-seated anxiety and lack of trust, both in themselves and perhaps in others.

The song also touches on the idea of finding solace or a sense of identity through another person. The line 'you're the one who makes me feel much taller than you are' indicates that the protagonist derives a sense of self-worth from their relationship with this other person, even if it is one-sided or unreciprocated. This dynamic is both uplifting and tragic, as it highlights the protagonist's dependence on external validation to feel whole. Placebo's raw and emotive delivery of these lyrics amplifies the song's themes of vulnerability, addiction, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.