4st 7lb by Manic Street Preachers

Album: The Holy Bible (1994)

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Songfacts®:

4st 7lb is the threshold to death. It is said to be the weight at which no human can live any more.
This song contains the lyric: "Karen says I've reached my target weight - Kate and Emma and Kristin know it's fake - problem is diets not a big enough word." Those referred to are Kate Moss (model), Kristin McMenamy (model), Emma Balfour (model), Karen (Sky Agony Aunt). >>
Suggestion credit:
nicholas - London, England, for above 2

Comments: 11

Strangle The Dogs from Dublin, IrelandThis song was wrote after Richey kept receiving fan mail from young girls suffering from eating disorders. it is also losely based on the documentary 40 Minutes: Caroline's Story
Joe from Chicago, Argood song.......rock on manics.....hopefully you will start making the good music again like you used to
Alex from Cardiff, WalesYes its about the poets' anorexia but rather than say how bad it is and wallow in self pity, he gives us beautiful images "i want to walk in the snow and not leave a footprint"

The line "i want to be so skinny that i rot from view" is also interesting, at the time many thought it was just anoher inside thought of an anorexic but in hindsight maybe it was an early thought of not wanting to be in the public eye and a forerunner to his dissapearence/suicide
Kitten from Mexico City, MexicoThe "ryvitta" in the lyrics is a brand of cracker preferred by anorexics because of its low caloric content. Roast beef is mentioned because in treating anorexics, roast beef has a high caloric content and is relatively easy to shove down unwillling patient´s throats. A great page commenting on all MSP´s lyrics is: www.manics.nl
Sarah from Rowland Heights, CaI've read that the part that says 'That's the way you're built my father said, But I can change" was taken from a poem a manic's fan wrote to the band about anorexia.
Emma from London, Englandi think richey rote it bout himself in a subtle so he could get how he was feeling off his chest and feel a tiny bit better
Daryl from Stoke, EnglandRichey wrote the lyrics...it's definately about him
Daniel from Cape Breton, CanadaYour nuts, it is definetly about Richey.
Rian from London, United StatesI dont think it was really about Richey. I think maybe it helped that he knew all about it but i dont think it was actually about him, maybe just based on him
Gilliann from Dublin, Ireland"I eat too much to die, And not enough to stay alive, I'm sitting in the middle waiting"
was taken from a documentary about anorexia patients called '40 Minutes: Caroline's Story'. this documentary reflects one day in the life of caroline, an anorexia patient.
Gilliann from Dublin, IrelandIts about Richeys anorexia, or so I hear

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