Lipslap by Kero Kero Bonito Lyrics Meaning – Unlocking the Sonic Enigma of Non-verbal Communication
Lyrics
thumbman four finger tap laftaf
yeah you know it
a fingertip laced on the lip which gave a little shhh
maybe were talk about that not now you see im jacking
all my friends are here there’s just no time for taboo
can’t believe we have to wrap on tracks so you get it
wanna talk about so much stuff then you just give me hush
we can’t sort that out for now the place is packing
spending cash on a new dancefloor
and everyone’s come through
it’s all lipslap
thinking caps
just lipslap
that is that
instrumental
I can’t hear you cause this beat is taking over
I’m not one to lipread and you don’t come with subtitles
you sure talk the walk into your walktie talkie
but you can’t keep a secret and you never get a word in
uhhh
why don’t you keep me in the loop I like it posted
you stay here and watch an all brick wall get freshly painted
if you didn’t catch the facts I’ll repeat them
but to be as smart as me you have to know the slang
yeah
it’s all lipslap
thinking caps
just lipslap
that is that
instrumental
I— went straight through a tincan
tied up to a goldfish tank
watch them pass for the whisper
take turns seing were it lands
it’s all lipslap
get down
thinking caps
what
just lipslap
be proud
that is that
it’s all lipslap
thinking caps
just lipslap
yeah
that is that
instrumental
I— went straight through a tincan
tied up to a goldfish tank
watch them pass for the whisper
take turns seeing where it lands
Kero Kero Bonito’s ‘Lipslap,’ a vivid mosaic of rhythm and voice, delves into the modern conundrum of communication in a world oversaturated with words. The track bounces like a hyperactive pinball through the arcade of digital-age discourse, subtly invoking the dichotomy between verbal verbosity and the potent simplicity of non-verbal cues.
Encased in a synthpop shell glistening with bright, unrelenting beats, the London-based trio challenge the listener to decipher the infectious catchiness layered with lyrical complexity. With ‘Lipslap,’ Kero Kero Bonito offers a cheeky take on our social interactions, where sometimes silence speaks louder than any well-crafted text or tweet.
Between The Beats: The Eloquence of Silence
In ‘Lipslap,’ frontwoman Sarah Bonito plays with the theme of silence as a powerful form of communication. The track features playful wordplay juxtaposing the constant chatter of modern life against the act of slapping one’s lips shut—a call for a moment of reflection amidst the cacophony of social noise.
Kero Kero Bonito draws us into a disco of thought where the ‘thinking caps’ are as indispensable as the groove of the beat itself. ‘Lipslap’ serves as a reminder that sometimes the most profound messages are conveyed without uttering a single word.
Dancefloor as Discourse: Embracing the Chaos
While translating their signature whimsy into a club-ready anthem, ‘Lipslap’ becomes a metaphor for the social gatherings where spoken conversations are often drowned by the pulsing music. It’s here among the sweat and spirit where body language and gestures are amplified.
Even when words fail to penetrate the wall of sound, Kero Kero Bonito celebrates this overwhelming sensory experience. It’s in the dynamic spaces of music and motion, Sarah hints, that some of our most meaningful exchanges take place.
Coded Lyrics: The Quest for Understanding
‘You can’t keep a secret and you never get a word in,’ sings Sarah, possibly alluding to our frantic scramble to be heard in a world where everyone has a platform. With social media at our fingertips, ‘Lipslap’ becomes an anthem for the unnoticed whispers amongst the shouts.
The group bravely acknowledges the futility in competing for the spotlight when everything around is chaos. Instead, they suggest a wiser path—embracing the secret languages and insider terms, ‘the slang,’ which signal a more profound, shared understanding.
Unearthing the Hidden Message
Beneath the glossy exterior and the catchy hook of ‘Lipslap,’ Kero Kero Bonito is commenting on our over-reliance on spoken and written communication. In the modern rush for information, the song teases out the value of intuition and reading between the lines—skills that are rapidly disappearing.
In doing so, they encourage a sense of inclusiveness; to be ‘smart’ like them doesn’t require verbose dialogue, but rather, an awareness of the subtle cues and the ability to feel the rhythm of interpersonal exchanges.
Memorable Lines That Echo In Silence
‘A fingertip laced on the lip which gave a little shhh,’ is a line that captures the entire essence of ‘Lipslap.’ It’s an arresting visual that emphasizes the power of a single, nonverbal action over a torrent of words.
Every syncopated beat and synth riff encapsulates the song’s core philosophy: that there are moments when a ‘little shhh’ can communicate more profoundly than any grand statement. Kero Kero Bonito reminds us that life’s most impactful ‘lipslaps’ often come in the quietest moments.





