Take a look at your eyes they're bloody mental
Swelled to the size of the Lincoln Continental
A bag of pills and a pack of ugly menthols
And I can tell by your teeth you've had a good life

You can take my temperature
I got a 2 on 1 to be hip hey, hey, hey, hey
You can take my temperature
'Coz I'm a hundred degrees in the shade over here

You said your sister, she stumbled to a party
Because the someone you like was at the party
You fell asleep on the coach before it started
And I can tell by the coach this is a nice place

You can take my temperature
I got a 2 on 1 to be hip hey, hey, hey, hey
You can take my temperature
'Coz I'm a hundred degrees in the shade over here

And now you tell me you've gone south for the winter
And I can count my friends upon my fingers
My hands are cold and I cannot feel ma fingers
And I can tell by your tan your pretty healthy

You can take my temperature
I got a 2 on 1 to be hip hey, hey, hey, hey
You can take my temperature
'Coz I'm a hundred degrees in the shade over here

You should take my temperature
I got a 2 on 1 to be hip hey, hey, hey
And you can take my temperature
'Coz I'm a hundred degrees in the shade over here

You can take my temperature
I got a 2 on 1 to be hip hey, hey, hey, hey
You can take my temperature
'Coz I'm a hundred degrees in the shade over here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kaiser Chiefs' song "Take My Temperature" are about a person who is observed by the singer to be in a state of physical and emotional instability. The song's chorus speaks to the singer's own sense of hipness and his acknowledgement of his partying lifestyle. The opening lines invite us to take a look at the eyes of the person the singer is addressing, which are "bloody mental." This is likely a reference to how the eyes are red and swollen, possibly from crying, alcohol or drug use. The "size of the Lincoln Continental" is a metaphor for the size of the eyes, emphasizing the distorted appearance they have taken on. The mention of the bag of pills and pack of menthols suggests a self-destructive lifestyle characterized by substance abuse.

In the second verse, the singer recounts a story about the listener's sister, who stumbles into a party for someone they like, but the listener falls asleep before the party even starts. The singer comments on the nice couch they are sitting on, showing his observations of the environment. The third verse is about the season change and the listener's tanned skin. The singer's cold hands imply that he hasn't been as active, which he contrasts with the listener's healthy tan.

In summary, the song is a commentary on a party lifestyle characterized by self-destructive behaviors like drinking and drugs, an obsession with physical appearances, and the struggle to maintain social status informed by being 'hip.' The singer takes on the role of a detached observer who comments on the people around him.

Line by Line Meaning

Take a look at your eyes they're bloody mental
Your eyes are bulging out of your head, possibly from drug use.

Swelled to the size of the Lincoln Continental
Your eyes are so large and swollen, they resemble the size of a car.

A bag of pills and a pack of ugly menthols
You have a pouch of pills and cigarettes that aren't pleasurable to consume.

And I can tell by your teeth you've had a good life
Your teeth show signs of having a wealthy and indulgent lifestyle.

You said your sister, she stumbled to a party
You mentioned that your sister clumsily went to a gathering.

Because the someone you like was at the party
She went to the party to see a person she's interested in.

You fell asleep on the couch before it started
You dozed off before the event even began.

And I can tell by the couch this is a nice place
The couch you slept on suggests that the location is comfortable and welcoming.

And now you tell me you've gone south for the winter
You're informing me that you've traveled to a warmer climate for the season.

And I can count my friends upon my fingers
You have very few friends, possibly only enough to count on one hand.

My hands are cold and I cannot feel ma fingers
Your hands are numb from the cold weather.

And I can tell by your tan your pretty healthy
Your tan indicates that you're in good health from being exposed to the sun.

You should take my temperature
You should check to see if I have a fever or illness.

I got a 2 on 1 to be hip hey, hey, hey
I'm attempting to be trendy and cool.

'Coz I'm a hundred degrees in the shade over here
I'm hot and feeling good, both literally and figuratively.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDREW ROBERT WHITE, CHARLES RICHARD WILSON, JAMES RIX, NICHOLAS BAINES, NICHOLAS HODGSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Marcelov

30w

Temazo

Lucius Jamal Greye

5y↑3

This fucking shreds. I first heard it on one of those cd's NME used to put in their magazines...one my friend stole for me thinking it'd catch my fancy, and it sure did. We was teenz.