He was born in Nottingham to musical parents who separated when he was young. His father, David Bugg, was a nurse and his mother worked in sales, both parents having previously made recordings. He grew up in the Clifton council estate of Nottingham and started playing guitar at the age of 12 after being introduced to the instrument by his uncle Mark. He attended Farnborough School Technology College in Clifton. He has described a formative musical moment when, aged 12, he heard Don McLean's "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" on an episode of The Simpsons. He was enrolled in a music technology course but, by the age of 16, he had dropped out and was writing and performing his own songs.
Two Fingers
Jake Bugg Lyrics
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Some things to be proud of, some stuff to regret
Been down some dark alleys in my own head
Something is changing, changing, changing
I go back to Clifton to see my old friends
The best people I could ever have met
Skin up a fat one, hide from the Feds
Something is changing, changing, changing
So I kiss goodbye to every little ounce of pain
Light a cigarette and wish the world away
I got out, I got out, I'm alive and I'm here to stay
So I hold two fingers up to yesterday
Light a cigarette and smoke it all away
I got out, I got out, I'm alive and I'm here to stay
Down in the kitchen, drinking white lightning
He's with my momma, yelling and fighting
It's not the first time praying for silence
Something is changing, changing, changing
So I kiss goodbye to every little ounce of pain
Light a cigarette and wish the world away
I got out, I got out, I'm alive and I'm here to stay
So I hold two fingers up to yesterday
Light a cigarette and smoke it all away
I got out, I got out, I'm alive and I'm here to stay
There's a story for every corner of this place
Running so hard you got out but your knees got grazed
I'm an old dog but I learned some new tricks yeah
So I kiss goodbye to every little ounce of pain
Light a cigarette and wish the world away
I got out I got out I'm alive and I'm here to stay
So I hold two fingers up to yesterday
Light a cigarette and smoke it all away
I got out I got out I'm alive and I'm here to stay
Hey, hey it's fine
Hey, hey it's fine
Hey, hey it's fine
I left it behind
The song "Two Fingers" by Jake Bugg is about coping with past mistakes and struggles. The first verse describes the singer's use of alcohol and cigarettes to deal with their memories. They acknowledge that while they have done some things they are proud of, there are also things they regret. The line "Been down some dark alleys in my own head" suggests that the singer has experienced some difficult times in their own mind. However, they feel that something is changing, potentially indicating that they are ready to move on from these negative experiences.
The second verse focuses on the singer's return to Clifton to visit old friends. They describe their friends as "the best people I could ever have met," but also mention the need to hide from law enforcement while smoking marijuana. Again, the singer feels that something is changing, perhaps indicating that their reunion with their friends is giving them a sense of hope or renewed energy.
The third verse introduces a new character - someone the singer refers to as "he" who is in the kitchen with the singer's mother and engaged in a loud argument. The singer once again feels that something is changing, suggesting that they may be growing tired of these kinds of volatile situations. The repeated refrain of "something is changing" throughout the song indicates that the singer is ready to leave their past behind and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I drink to remember, I smoke to forget
I drink to recall happy memories and smoke to release my negative ones.
Some things to be proud of, some stuff to regret
I've had some good moments and some bad ones.
Been down some dark alleys in my own head
I've had some tough thoughts and experiences that were hard to navigate.
Something is changing, changing, changing
There are changes taking place in my life.
I go back to Clifton to see my old friends
I visit my old friends who were the best people I ever met.
The best people I could ever have met
My old friends who I visit bring me joy because they are the best people I've ever met.
Skin up a fat one, hide from the Feds
I roll a thick joint and stay hidden from the police.
So I kiss goodbye to every little ounce of pain
I say farewell to all the emotional distress I've had and start anew.
Light a cigarette and wish the world away
I light a cigarette and imagine a world that's better than right now.
I got out, I got out, I'm alive and I'm here to stay
I've gotten out of bad circumstances and now living a better life than before.
So I hold two fingers up to yesterday
I make a gesture with two fingers up to symbolize that I'm done living in the past.
Light a cigarette and smoke it all away
I smoke to forget my past and start anew.
Down in the kitchen, drinking white lightning
In the kitchen, I drink homemade brandy with a high amount of alcohol content.
He's with my momma, yelling and fighting
He is shouting and arguing with my mother.
It's not the first time praying for silence
It's not the first time I wish for calm and quiet.
There's a story for every corner of this place
This place is full of interesting stories waiting to be told.
Running so hard you got out but your knees got grazed
I've tried to leave my past behind so quickly that I got hurt along the way.
I'm an old dog but I learned some new tricks yeah
I may be seasoned, but I have learned some new things.
Hey, hey it's fine
Everything is alright.
I left it behind
I moved on from the past and left it there.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Iain Denis Archer, Jake Kennedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind