Lippy Kids by Elbow Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking Nostalgia in Modern Hymns
Lyrics
Lippy kids on the corner begin settling like crows
Though I never perfected that simian stroll
But the cigarette scent, it was everything then
Do they know those days are golden?
Build a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys!
One long June I came down from the trees
And cursed on cue
You were freshly painted angel walking on walls
Stealing booze and hour-long hungry kisses
Nobody knew me at home anymore
Build a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys!
Lippy kids on the corner again
Lippy kids on the corner begin settling like crows
And I never effected that simian stroll, no
Do they know those days are golden?
Build a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys!
One long June I came down from the trees
And cursed on cue
You were freshly painted angel walking on walls
Stealing booze and outlawing hungry kisses
And nobody knows me at home anymore
Build a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys!
Build a rocket boys!
British alternative rock band Elbow, known for their evocative storytelling and orchestral soundscapes, has never shied from plunging deep into the pools of nostalgia, and ‘Lippy Kids’ is no exception. The track, a centerpiece from their acclaimed album ‘Build a Rocket Boys!’, explores the theme of youth and the yearning for the simplicity of bygone days.
The wistful lyrics, laid over a minimalistic musical arrangement, capture the essence of growing up and looking back. They beckon us to take a journey through memory lane while posing piercing questions about the nature of innocence and the inexorable march of time. It’s a musical exploration that pierces the heart with its relatable longing and sweet sorrow.
The Symphony of Adolescence and Its Echoes
Throughout ‘Lippy Kids’, Elbow serenades listeners with a symphony of adolescence—a period that oscillates between grace and awkwardness. The term ‘lippy’ suggests a cheekiness, a brave front faced against the world, but it’s more tender and reminiscent here, stepping beyond rebellion into the realm of identity formation.
The song’s grounded imagery—the corner where kids converge, the crows, and the ‘simian stroll’—all evoke a visceral sense of place and time. It’s not a mere narrative; it’s a canvas of youth where the brush strokes are every listener’s memories painted in Elbow’s haunting melody.
When ‘Build a Rocket, Boys!’ Becomes a Mantra
The oft-repeated exhortation ‘Build a rocket boys!’ serves both as a rallying cry for the dreamers and a metaphor for ascension from the mundane or the terrestrial. It’s a call to arms to reach for more, to break the bounds of gravity like the aspirations of youth often attempt to do.
This line binds the song together and infuses it with a universal urge to create, explore, and escape. It is a phrase that has the ability to resonate across generations, capturing the perennial spirit of adventure and potential that characterizes the young.
The Hidden Meaning Behind ‘Those Golden Days’
One of the most poignant questions Elbow poses in ‘Lippy Kids’ is whether those ‘lippy kids’ recognize the golden hue of their days. It’s a reflective probe asking if we ever understand the value of our present before it becomes the past.
This inquiry into the nature of hindsight and appreciation is a silent meditation that underpins the entirety of the song. The ‘golden days’ reference is more than nostalgia; it’s an existential investigation into how humans comprehend and acknowledge the passage of time.
The Melancholy of Lost Innocence
The narrative of ‘Lippy Kids’ isn’t just one of recalling carefree days, but also one that laments their passing. The term ‘freshly painted angel’ brings forth the notion of fresh experiences and innocence not yet tainted by life’s complexities.
As the song progresses, the reality that ‘nobody knows me at home anymore’ highlights a universal journey from innocence to experience, wherein one’s evolution as a person can lead to a sense of alienation, even within familiar spaces. The sense of once belonging, and now being misunderstood or unfamiliar illustrates the poignant cost of personal growth.
A String of Memorable Lines That Resonate
Elbow’s gift for memorable lines that stick like poignant poetry is on full display in ‘Lippy Kids’. ‘Stealing booze and hour-long hungry kisses’ captures the thrilling rebelliousness of youth—a moment where every act feels significant and infused with meaning.
This song is a testament to Guy Garvey’s ability to capture the essence of a feeling, a moment, in such a way that it feels both hyper-personal and universally understood. Every line evokes a picture, a scene, which is testament to the power of their songwriting, making ‘Lippy Kids’ an enduring piece of art.
