Released: 2017
“Banana Clip” by Miguel is an artful allegory using military imagery to express the depth of his love and devotion. Miguel likens himself to a soldier in a war, armed not with weapons of destruction, but with a love so powerful and protective it’s compared to the firepower of an M16 or a Banana Clip. He communicates his readiness to fight any adversity or threat that comes their way in order to protect his beloved.
From the jump, Miguel sets a grim scene with “There’s a war, on love”. This implies that the pursuit of love is not a bed of roses, but a battleground. When he says, “It’s hard to know who to trust”, it resonifies the uncertainty and guarded nature in navigating relationships due to past experiences or societal influences. However, he affirms the trust in his partner with “I’m so glad I found you”.
Delving into the chorus, Miguel utilizes loaded terms specific to gun culture. For instance, “Banana clip on my love for you”, this is a direct reference to a banana-shaped magazine for a gun, often associated with an automatic rifle. In this context, Miguel uses it as a metaphor for his endless outpouring of love. Also, when he says, “I let it ring like (Graa)” – the sound of gunfire – he’s talking about expressing his love loudly and fearlessly.
Further, “M16 on my lap” and “No matter where I go on the map, you got my protection” reinforces Miguel’s role as a protector and his preparedness for any adversary that might threaten their love. The phrase “No matter where I go on the map” speaks of his loyalty and dedication; his love remains steadfast regardless of location or circumstance.
The line “Both eyes closed when I squeeze ya” is but a playful allusion to the act of firing a gun with both eyes closed due to fear or inexperience. But, Miguel isn’t talking about guns here. Instead, this line adds a level of intimacy to the track as he might be referring to a tight hug or showing affection to his lover, again presenting a sharp contrast between love and war imageries.
In the end, Miguel pulls back the curtains of the war imagery and gets real simple expressing that “All I really need is love, love”. This further distills the song’s message into a universal truth, underscoring love’s importance above all else despite the challenges and battles one might face in its pursuit.
