Boris, The Spider

The Who's song "Boris, The Spider" is a quirky and somewhat dark narrative about an encounter with a spider named Boris. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the spider's movements, from crawling up the wall to hanging by a thread above the narrator's head. The song's repetitive and almost chant-like chorus, "Boris the spider," adds to the eerie and unsettling atmosphere, emphasizing the spider's presence and the narrator's growing unease.

The song delves into the fear and fascination that many people have with spiders. The narrator's initial reaction to Boris is one of discomfort and curiosity, watching the spider's every move. This is a common human response to creatures that are often seen as creepy or dangerous. The repeated use of the words "creepy, crawly" reinforces the unsettling nature of the spider and the narrator's mixed feelings of fear and intrigue.

As the song progresses, the narrator's fear turns into a more aggressive stance. When Boris appears to be dead, the narrator decides to make sure by picking up a book to crush him. This act of violence against the spider reflects a common human reaction to things that scare us: the desire to eliminate the source of our fear. The song ends on a grim note, with Boris meeting a "sticky end" and being "embedded in the ground," suggesting that the narrator has successfully killed the spider. This conclusion leaves the listener with a sense of finality and perhaps a lingering discomfort about the fate of Boris.

"Boris, The Spider" is a unique blend of humor and horror, capturing the complex emotions that arise from a simple encounter with a spider. The Who's ability to turn such a mundane experience into a memorable and eerie song showcases their creativity and storytelling prowess.