Take What You Take by Lily Allen Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling The Layers of Sincerity and Rebellion
Lyrics
As one door closes, another one opens,
And two wrongs don’t make a right
Now good things come to those who wait,
Take the highs with the lows dear,
You’ll get what your given and everything’s gonna be alright
What the fuck do you know?
Just cos you’re old you think your wise,
But who the hell are you though,
I didn’t even ask for your advice
You wanna keep your mouth shut,
You wanna take your thoughts elsewhere,
Cos you’re doing in my nut,
And do you think I care?
Say what you say,
Do what you do
Feel what you feel,
As long as it’s real
I said take what you take
And give what you give
Just be what you want,
Just as long as it’s real
Now by a horse, I once was told
That all that glitters is not gold
And all that is to fear is fear itself
This horsey also told me,
I should keep my friends close but my enemies closer,
So as to protect myself
What the fuck do you know?
Just cos you’re old you think your wise,
But who the hell are you though,
I didn’t even ask for your advice
You wanna keep your mouth shut,
You wanna take your thoughts elsewhere,
Cos you’re doing in my nut,
And do u think care?
Say what you say,
Do what you do
Feel what you feel,
As long as it’s real
I said take what you take
And give what you give
Just be what you want,
Just as long as it’s real
Ah
Ah
Ah
Ah
Ah
Say what you say,
Do what you do
Feel what you feel,
As long as it’s real
I said take what you take
And give what you give
Just be what you want,
Just as long as it’s real
Say what you say,
Do what you do
Feel what you feel,
As long as it’s real
I said take what you take
And give what you give
Just be what you want,
Just as long as it’s real
Say what you say,
Do what you do
Feel what you feel,
As long as it’s real
I said take what you take
And give what you give
Just be what you want,
Just as long as it’s real
Lily Allen has never been one to mince words or shy away from the gritty, unvarnished truth. In her track ‘Take What You Take,’ Allen provides listeners with a no-holds-barred manifesto on self-expression and the dismissal of unsolicited opinions. It’s a track that resonates with raw honesty, underscored by the artist’s signature pop sound, spiked with punk-esque rebelliousness.
The song captures a delicate balance between accepting life’s inherent highs and lows and standing up against the presumptuous wisdom of unsolicited advice-givers. Allen’s approach to life’s advice is as much about filtering noise as it is about embracing genuine experiences. Let’s delve into the lyrical labyrinth of ‘Take What You Take’ and unearth the insights Lily Allen imparts through her vivid storytelling.
The Art of Rebuffing the Unwanted Advisors
Lily Allen’s audacious opening in ‘Take What You Take’ doesn’t just set the tone; it throws down a gauntlet. When she confronts the ‘old’ and ‘wise’ with a brazen ‘What the fuck do you know?’, she’s not just questioning their authority—she’s rejecting the entire premise of their unasked-for counsel. It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to, as we navigate through a world overflowing with self-proclaimed experts and well-meaning mentors.
Her sharp delivery of this lyrical jab isn’t simply for shock value. It’s a pointed critique of the unsolicited advice that permeates our lives—often from those who might not truly understand our individual contexts and struggles. The call to ‘keep your mouth shut’ and ‘take your thoughts elsewhere’ serves as a powerful reminder of the autonomy we possess over our personal narratives.
Unpacking the Proverbs: Clichés or Wisdom?
Allen’s song offers more than her characteristic fire. It’s also a reflection on the clichéd sayings that are handed down through generations. ‘A picture paints a thousand words,’ ‘two wrongs don’t make a right,’ and ‘good things come to those who wait’ are aphorisms that circle back in our lives, oftentimes as placeholders for deeper engagement.
By weaving these familiar phrases into her lyrics, Allen wrestles with their pat sentimentality while acknowledging their optimistic intent. The lines convey a dual message—question the truisms that are served to us, but also don’t dismiss the kernels of truth they may hold.
The Unlikely Oracle: Lessons from a Horse
Novelty in ‘Take What You Take’ comes from Allen’s invocation of a horse as her sagacious informant. It’s an allegory that stands out for its originality and humor, reinforcing her message in a tongue-in-cheek manner. ‘All that glitters is not gold’ and the call to keep ‘your enemies closer’ are reframed through this equine lens, suggesting that sometimes, life’s most meaningful lessons come from unexpected sources.
Yet, here lies the clever balance Allen strikes—she adopts these pearls of wisdom to assert that fear is the true adversary. The horse’s counsel is not dismissed but embraced selectively, painting a picture of a narrator who is discerning about the advice she heeds.
A Chorus That Champions Authenticity
‘Say what you say, do what you do, feel what you feel, as long as it’s real.’ The recurring chorus in ‘Take What You Take’ is a manifesto for genuine self-expression. Allen encourages listeners to embrace the totality of their emotions and desires, free from the constraints of societal expectations.
This refrain becomes an anthem for those who grapple with their identity in the face of external pressures. It’s a call to take what life throws at you and to give back in equal, authentic measure. Allen’s message—embrace who you are, just ensure it’s the real you.
The Reverberating Echo of Intriguing Simplicity
One cannot reflect on ‘Take What You Take’ without touching on its compelling simplicity. It’s a song that reverberates long after the last ‘Ah’ fades away, largely due to its direct and unadorned message. The rhythmic repetition is hypnotic, embedding the song’s core principles into the listener’s mind.
Moreover, Allen’s use of everyday language, free of obfuscation, conveys a universal theme that is relatable. This simplicity is deceptive; beneath it lies a complex call to arms for personal truth and the rejection of hollow wisdom. ‘Take What You Take’ is a lesson in how stripped-back lyrics can pulse with profound meaning.
