Doorman by slowthai Lyrics Meaning: Social Satire Through a Gritty Lens

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for slowthai's Doorman at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

How’s business this morning?
Pretty good, I made ’bout twelve, thirteen quid
And that was without not having any arguments with anyone
That’s pretty, just straight
If you don’t, gonna get your head kicked in

Shoot the messenger, string ’em up
She’s a ten plus ten, not enough
Mixed messages, wires crossed
Marry me, what you got? Too much
Toothbrush and socks
Parents minted, Mayfair, couple dogs
We go on walks, she never talks
I pour my heart out and she laps up my blood
Blue lights, double vision
Heart races like super cars
Two drinks, the rooms spinning
Zebedee, you’re the ace of hearts
High society, cute kittens
Allergies, I don’t like you enough
Blocked me on your private finsta
Your godmother should come play with us

Nicotine, can’t quit it
Two’s up, two’s down
You stub it out before I finish
On my arm and I scream out, “Wow”
Nicotine, can’t quit it
Two’s up, two’s down
You stub it out before I finish
On my arm and I scream out, “Wow”

Doorman, let me in the door
Spent all my money, you ain’t getting no more wages
Sure Sir, Sir, are you sure?
In short, I’m not a mop you can drag ‘cross the floor
Inside, shell shock
She’s standing with a guy
Guys your mans stare him out
Real polite, “No, please, no thanks”
“Want a drink?”, “I’m alright”
Beer goggles on, pull the wool, now I’m blind
Clear as day, I can see
You make me melt – sun, ice cream
You smooth like felt, soft to the touch
You were repellent, smell your scent from up above
Angel getting carried out the club
For slapping Harry, Harry’s just a mug
I’m stood outside waiting, where you gone?
Cubicle lines, catch a cold, Jack Frost

Nicotine, can’t quit it
Two’s up, two’s down
You stub it out before I finish
On my arm and I scream out, “Wow”
Nicotine, can’t quit it
Two’s up, two’s down
You stub it out before I finish
On my arm and I scream out, “Wow”

Just about any type of drug is in
But glue-sniffing ranks equal number one with cheap booze (hello)
Cyril is a glue man
And his outlook on life is invariably, through a plastic bag
Even on the street he has something up his sleeve
To make work more tolerable

The only thing that I won’t take is steroid, y’know
If I do, I’ll kick it out, it’s the thing, that’s the thing
Is really, really bad for you
Most, most people take, most people take things in moderation, y’know?

In the throes of the modern music scene, slowthai’s track ‘Doorman’ emerges as a social critique wrapped in the enigmatic allure of cryptic lyrics and throbbing beats. This UK rapper delivers a narrative that oscillates between the remorseless realities of class disparity, the plasticity of high society, and the brute force of raw emotion.

Exploring the song’s meaning reveals a labyrinthine narrative where punchy rhymes serve as the breadcrumbs leading us through slowthai’s hidden commentary on contemporary British culture. It’s an introspection on privilege, connection, and the sometimes-inescapable habits that both divide and define us.

The Velvet Rope: Class and Access in ‘Doorman’

Anchored by the motif of the ‘Doorman,’ the song becomes a metaphor for societal gatekeeping. slowthai juxtaposes his working-class authenticity with the elite’s gilded barriers, challenging us to see the doorman as both a literal figure and a symbol of social mobility—or the lack thereof.

The hustler’s narrative in the opening, expressing satisfaction over earnings without conflict, lays a foundation for the track’s thematic journey. It’s an unapologetic proclamation of self-worth from those often marginalized by the very few controlling access to ‘Mayfair’ and its metaphorical equivalents.

Unrequited Love or Obsession? Decoding Emotional Conflict

Amid the gritty imagery, slowthai touches on a personal tale of longing, perhaps unmet love, with the line ‘I pour my heart out and she laps up my blood.’ The allusion to intimate betrayal is palpable, cutting deeper into the societal criticism by showcasing personal wounds left by emotional transactions.

The crescendo of his complex relationship with a high-society figure speaks to the turmoil of pursuing someone from a different class—and not just financially, but emotionally disconnected. It’s as much about the barriers we build around our hearts as those built by bank balances.

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Through the Smokescreen: Habits as Symbols of Control

The recurring theme of nicotine addiction in ‘Doorman’ is far from a simple statement on substance reliance. By nestling these references alongside societal critique, slowthai emphasizes the cyclical nature of addiction, control, and rebellion against authority.

It’s a habit forced to submission—you stub it out as it derives pleasure, analogous to being cut off from reaching one’s desires. The interjection of Cyril, the glue man, underscores the point of escapism, further emphasizing the extremes individuals go to in order to cope with or defy their given rank in society.

Cubicle Lines and Cold Realities: The Song’s Hidden Meaning

While ‘Doorman’s’ surface resonates with the rhythm of a raucous night out, its underlying narrative unveils the cold truth about social narcotics—be it love, substance, or power. slowthai’s references to ‘catch a cold, Jack Frost’ and ‘cubicle lines’ are more than poetic flair; they offer a stark reminder of the consequences that come with indulgence and recklessness, irrespective of social class.

The hidden message here is a reminder that beneath the surface of our protective social roles and uniforms, from doormen to ‘Harry’ the mug, we are all susceptible to the same vices and downfall. slowthai is showing that whether on the streets or in the velvet-lined halls of privilege, humanity’s flaws find a way to manifest.

Memorable Lines: Painting Stories with Words

What sets slowthai apart is his ability to craft lines that punch through the facade of everyday niceties. ‘Sir, are you sure? In short, I’m not a mop you can drag ‘cross the floor’ speaks volumes not just about personal respect, but also about socio-economic resistance.

Every line echoes with a duality that intertwines the listener’s perception, ‘Beer goggles on, pull the wool, now I’m blind’ or ‘You smooth like felt, soft to the touch’. These carefully chosen metaphors encapsulate a blend of sensual desire and the all-too-human impulse to blur the harsh lines that define our social realities.