“Partners in Crime” by Set It Off is a dynamic and narrative-driven song that paints a vivid picture of a couple deeply entwined in love and lawlessness. The lyrics tell a compelling story of reckless abandon, defiant romance, and the ultimate consequences of a life lived on the edge. Let’s delve into the heart of these lyrics to uncover the story they tell.
You’ll never take us alive
We swore that death will do us part
They’ll call our crimes a work of art
You’ll never take us alive
We’ll live like spoiled royalty, lovers and partners
Partners in crime
Partners in crime
This, the tale of reckless love, living a life of crime on the run
A brush to a gun to paint these states green and red
Everybody freeze, nobody move, put the money in the bag or we will shoot
Empty out the vault and me and my doll will be on our way
Our paper faces flood the streets
And if the heat comes close enough to burn then we’ll play with fire ’cause
You’ll never take us alive
We swore that death will do us part
They’ll call our crimes a work of art
You’ll never take us alive
We’ll live like spoiled royalty, lovers and partners
Partners in crime
Partners in crime
Oh, just try to catch us!
Here we find our omnipotent outlaws fall behind the grind tonight
Left unaware that the lone store owner won’t go down without a fight
Where we gonna go? He’s got us pinned!
Baby, I’m a little scared
Now, don’t you quit
He’s sounded the alarm, I hear the sirens closing in
Our paper faces flood the streets
And if the heat comes close enough to burn then we’re burning this place to the ground ’cause
You’ll never take us alive
We swore that death will do us part
They’ll call our crimes a work of art
You’ll never take us alive
We’ll live like spoiled royalty, lovers and partners
Partners in crime
We’re the Placerville Sheriff’s Police Department. Come out with your hands up. We have the place surrounded. Put your weapons down, put your weapons down! Ready, men? Aim… Fire!
The skies are black with lead-filled rain
A morbid painting on display
This is the night the young love died
Buried at each other’s side
You never took us alive
We swore that death would do us part
So now we haunt you in the dark
You never took us alive
We live as ghosts among these streets
Lovers and partners
Partners in crime
Partners in crime
Partners in crime
Decoding the “Partners in Crime” Narrative
Set It Off masterfully crafts a narrative within “Partners in Crime” that is both thrilling and tragic. The song opens with a bold declaration: “You’ll never take us alive,” immediately setting the tone of defiance and desperation. The couple views themselves as “lovers and partners,” emphasizing the duality of their relationship – romantic love intertwined with criminal activity. This partnership is the core of their identity, a bond forged in the fires of rebellion and outlaw life.
The lyrics “They’ll call our crimes a work of art” suggest a twisted romanticization of their actions. They are not merely criminals; in their minds, they are artists leaving a mark on the world, albeit a destructive one. This self-perception adds a layer of complexity to their characters, portraying them as more than just simple robbers. They are rebels with a cause, even if that cause is ultimately self-destructive.
The phrase “paper faces flood the streets” likely refers to wanted posters, highlighting their notoriety and the escalating pursuit by law enforcement. The line “if the heat comes close enough to burn then we’ll play with fire” further emphasizes their reckless nature, suggesting a willingness to escalate violence and destruction rather than be captured.
The Downfall and Tragic End
The latter part of the song depicts the inevitable downfall. The line “Here we find our omnipotent outlaws fall behind the grind tonight” signals a turning point where their luck begins to run out. The encounter with the store owner and the arrival of the police paint a picture of a heist gone wrong, leading to a desperate and ultimately fatal standoff.
The spoken interlude by the police provides a stark contrast to the romanticized outlaw image, grounding the narrative in harsh reality. The command “Put your weapons down!” and the subsequent “Fire!” are chillingly abrupt, marking the violent end of the couple’s Bonnie and Clyde-esque escapade.
The final verses are poignant and tragic. “The skies are black with lead-filled rain / A morbid painting on display” uses powerful imagery to describe the violent shootout and its grim outcome. “This is the night the young love died / Buried at each other’s side” underscores the tragic end of their love story. Even in death, they remain partners, their vow “death will do us part” fulfilled in the most literal and devastating way.
“Partners in Crime”: A Song of Rebellion and Doomed Romance
“Partners in Crime” by Set It Off is more than just a song; it’s a mini-drama set to music. It explores themes of love, rebellion, and the consequences of choosing a life outside the law. The lyrics are a testament to the intoxicating allure of living on the edge and the tragic beauty of a love that burns brightly but ends abruptly. The repeated phrase “Partners in crime” serves as both a romantic ideal and a tragic epitaph for this doomed couple, forever bound together in their illicit adventure and its fatal conclusion.
