: The setting is established with "November cold frost bites" and a bed described as "colder than chloroform". This medical/chemical metaphor suggests a numbing, artificial state of grief.
: The track features "explosive, melodious 12-string guitars" and "eastern sounding chimes". This creates a lush, shimmering wall of sound that reviewers have described as the "missing link" between the brooding post-punk of Joy Division and the grandiosity of Echo & the Bunnymen. Care - Whatever Possessed You (Lyrics)
: The narrator warns, "My lies they fall like an acid rain" and describes a "tongue [that] is a dying flame," indicating a collapse of communication and the toxic residue of a failed bond. : The setting is established with "November cold
Despite its brilliance, "Whatever Possessed You" failed to reach the commercial heights of their Top 50 hit "Flaming Sword". It has since become a cult classic, particularly in Japan and the Philippines. For Simpson, the song's themes of corrosion and coldness were mirrored in his own life—he was reportedly involved in a "self-destructive relationship" during the recording, which contributed to his sudden departure from the band. This creates a lush, shimmering wall of sound
Ian Broudie’s production provides a "majestic, often orchestral" backdrop that contrasts sharply with the bleakness of the prose.
: References to a "beloved angel" becoming "skin and bones" and love "silently corroding" emphasize that this is not just a mental breakup but a physical wasting away. Musical Composition and Impact
: The creative friction between Broudie’s "gleeful commercial pop" sensibilities and Simpson’s "darker, more serious" inclinations is palpable in the song's structure, which balances catchy hooks with haunting undertones. Legacy and Aftermath