Chocolate by The 1975 Lyrics Meaning – Unwrapping the Rebellion and Irresistible Hooks
Lyrics
Oh, you bite your friend like chocolate
You say that we’ll go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoat
No, we’re never gonna quit it, no we’re never gonna quit it, no
Now we run, run away from the boys in the blue
And my car smells like chocolate
Hey now, think about what to do
Think about what to say
Think about how to think
Pause it, play it, pause it, play it, pause it
Oh, we go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoat
And we’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no
Yeah, we’re dressed in black from head to toe
We got guns hidden under our petticoat
No, we’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no
Now you’re never gonna quit it
Now you’re never gonna quit it
Now you’re never gonna quit it
If you don’t stop smokin’ it
That’s what she said
She said we’re dressed in black, head to toe
With guns hidden under our petticoat
And we’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no
Hey now, we’re buildin’ up speed as we’re approachin’ the hill
(Approachin’ the hill, approachin’ the hill)
Oh, my hair smells like chocolate
Hey now, you say you’re gonna quit it, but you’re never gonna quit it
Go get it, go get it, go get it, go get it, go
And play it cool
Oh, you said we go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoat
No, we’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no
Yeah, we’re dressed in black, from head to toe
We’ve got guns hidden under our petticoat
We’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no
Well, I think we better go
Seriously better go
Said the feds are here, you know
Seriously better go
Oh no, well, I think we better go
Said the feds are here, you know
Said Rebecca better know
Seriously better go
(Hey)
We go where nobody knows
With guns hidden under our petticoat
And we’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no
Yeah, we’re dressed in black, head to toe
With guns hidden under our petticoat
No, we’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no (no, no)
Well, I think we better go
Seriously better go
Said the feds are here, you know
Seriously better go
And well, I think we better go
Said the feds are here, you know
Said Rebecca better know
Seriously better go
At face value, The 1975’s ‘Chocolate’ appears to be a breezy pop track, a catchy tune that perfectly encapsulates the carefree spirit of youth. However, upon a closer examination, to dismiss it as just another pop song would be an oversight. With its blend of vibrant guitar riffs and Matt Healy’s signature muffled vocal delivery, ‘Chocolate’ is an anthem for defiance, laden with euphemism and nuanced metaphor that paints a picture far more complex than its sugary title suggests.
Released as part of their self-titled debut album, ‘Chocolate’ struck a chord with listeners worldwide, not solely for its infectious melody but for its lyrical depth. It’s a song that invites listeners to peel back its layers, uncovering themes of escapism, youthful rebellion, and the sweet taste of freedom that’s always at risk of turning bitter.
Sweet Escape: Dissecting The Rush of Recklessness
‘Hey now, call it a split because you know that you will,’ the song begins with a forewarning of the imminent divergence from the straight and narrow path. The 1975 doesn’t just provide a backdrop for teenage rebellion; they delve into the visceral feeling of escape, the inherent need to break free from societal constraints. The reference to guns hidden under petticoats is not just a vivid image but a powerful metaphor for concealed intentions and secret defiance against authority.
The recurring theme of ‘never gonna quit it’ is less about a stubborn refusal to change and more a declaration of sticking to one’s guns, literally and figuratively. This promise of persistence becomes the rallying cry for a generation that refuses to be silenced or stymied by the ‘boys in blue,’ a likely allusion to law enforcement.
The Euphoric Highs of Carefree Anthems
Beyond the lyricism, ‘Chocolate’ exemplifies The 1975’s ability to craft songs that resonate with the highs of being young and seemingly invincible. The upbeat tempo and shimmering guitar licks wrap listeners in a blanket of nostalgia, a sonic representation of youth’s daring and insouciant moments. It’s this juxtaposition—the carefree melody supporting a subtext of noncompliance—that marks ‘Chocolate’ as more than just your average pop rock fare.
It’s no wonder then that the track has become both an earworm and an emblem, adopted by fans who find solace in its acknowledgment of their small acts of daily rebellion, all while providing a soundtrack to their own adventures.
Sniffing Out the Truth Below The Surface
Each lyrical phrase in ‘Chocolate’ is steeped in double entendre. Phrases like ‘my car smells like chocolate’ might, at first listen, evoke a sense of whimsy but are widely interpreted to hint at something more illicit, a smoke screen—or more accurately, a chocolate scent—for activities best kept from prying eyes.
This hidden meaning becomes clearer as points of danger are introduced, with nods to speeding away from the authorities and the urgency of escaping capture. It’s these darker, thornier subtexts lying under the sweet veneer that offer listeners a true taste of the song’s layered narrative.
The Lines We Can’t Get Out of Our Heads
Even with its shadowy undertones, ‘Chocolate’ delivers lines of a deceptively breezy nature that hook the listener. Phrases like ‘We’re never gonna quit it, no, we’re never gonna quit it, no’ become mantras, embodying a spirit that’s both infectious and insubordinate.
These are the lines chanted at concerts, hummed in corridors, the ones that bury themselves deep into the listener’s consciousness, resonating with the irresistible notion that some aspects of life—love, passion, rebellion—are too compelling to abandon, a sentiment any listener can sink their teeth into.
Facing the Consequences: A Sweetened Warning
In the final verses, reality catches up with the flights of fancy. The presence of federal authorities, the almost comical repetition of the seriousness of the situation—’seriously better go’—throws cold water on the heated rush of the chase. Therein lies the warning threaded through the sugar-spun lyrics: every sweet escape, every indulgence, comes with its own set of potential pitfalls.
‘Chocolate’ offers this dichotomy, a sweet-sounding song that’s as much about the taste of freedom and rebellion as it is about the lurking aftertaste of consequence. It’s a nuanced take on a timeless narrative, one that continues to define The 1975’s musical journey and cement their place in the pantheon of bands that capture the zeitgeist of their generation.
