While the term ‘indie’ had been used for some time to describe artists on independent labels (and the labels themselves), the key moment in the naming of the genre was the release of NME's C86 tape in 1986. Although featuring a wide range of bands including Primal Scream, Bogshed, Half Man Half Biscuit, and The Wedding Present, it over time became shorthand for a genre known by a variety of terms. Initially it was dubbed 'C86' (after the tape itself), the more ambiguous indie pop, Cutie or a term coined by John Peel: shambling bands. Retrospectively, especially in the United States, the terms twee and twee pop were used, initially ironically, due to what commentators called the "revolt into childhood" of its followers.
Musically its key characteristics were jangling guitars, a love of sixties pop and often fey, innocent lyrics. The UK label Sarah Records and its most popular band The Field Mice, although more diverse than the label indicates, were probably its most typical proponents. It was also inspired by the DIY scene of punk and there was a thriving fanzine, label and club and gig circuit. Scenes later developed in the United States particularly around labels such as K Records. Genres such as Riot Grrrl and bands as diverse as Nirvana, Manic Street Preachers, and Belle and Sebastian have all acknowledged its influence.
In the mid to late 80s, indie pop was criticized for its tweeness and underachievement but many now argue that C86 and the birth of the genre was a pivotal moment for independent music in the UK. It continues to have a strong following and inspire musicians, not just in the UK but around the world with new labels, clubs and bands devoted to the sound.
Kids
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were a child
Crawling on your knees toward it
Making mama so proud
But your voice is too loud
We like to watch you laughing
You pick the insects off plants
No time to think of consequences
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
The water is warm
But it's sending me shivers
A baby is born
Crying out for attention
The memories fade
Like looking through a fogged mirror
Decision to decisions are made and not bought
But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot
I guess not
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
Control yourself
Take only what you need from it
A family of trees
"Kids" by MGMT is a song about the youthful desire for excitement and adventure, and the consequences of indulging in those desires without self-control or consideration for the future.
The song begins by addressing the listener as a child, crawling on their knees towards something they desire. The imagery conveys a sense of innocence and vulnerability, while the mention of the child's voice being too loud suggests an eagerness to be heard and noticed. The chorus highlights the theme of control, with the repetition of the phrase "Control yourself, take only what you need from it" emphasizing the importance of self-restraint and consideration for the consequences of one's actions.
The second verse shifts to a more abstract and introspective tone, with the water being warm but sending shivers down the singer's spine, suggesting a mix of pleasure and unease. The metaphor of a baby crying out for attention highlights the need for validation and recognition, while the memories fading like a fogged mirror suggest a lack of clarity and purpose in one's past experiences. The final lines acknowledge the inevitability of making decisions, but express a sense of surprise at the unexpected pain that comes with them.
Overall, "Kids" explores the tension between the desire for excitement and the need for self-control, emphasizing the importance of taking only what is necessary and avoiding the temptation to indulge recklessly in one's impulses.
Line by Line Meaning
You were a child
The song starts off by bringing attention to the idea of being a child.
Crawling on your knees toward it
The child is crawling towards something they want.
Making mama so proud
The child is making their mother happy.
But your voice is too loud
The child is making too much noise.
We like to watch you laughing
People enjoy seeing the child happy.
You pick the insects off plants
The child is curious about their surroundings.
No time to think of consequences
The child is not yet aware of the consequences of their actions.
Control yourself
The song then shifts to the idea of self control.
Take only what you need from it
The idea of taking only what you need is emphasized.
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
The family of trees is personified to want to be haunted.
The water is warm
The song then brings up the idea of water being warm.
But it's sending me shivers
This situation is strange and unsettling.
A baby is born
The song then introduces the idea of birth and new life.
Crying out for attention
The baby is in need of attention.
The memories fade
Memories can disappear over time.
Like looking through a fogged mirror
Memories can become unclear as time passes.
Decision to decisions are made and not bought
Decisions are not something that can be purchased.
But I thought this wouldn't hurt a lot
Sometimes we make decisions we think won't hurt us.
I guess not
But in reality, they do.
Control yourself
The song repeats the idea of self control.
Take only what you need from it
Again, taking only what you need is emphasized.
A family of trees wanted to be haunted
The idea of the family of trees wanting to be haunted is repeated multiple times.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Benjamin Nicholas Huner Goldwasser, Andrew Wells Vanwyngarden
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tac5176
That kid is either doing some intense lifetime therapy or never going to be scared of anything in their life haha
@user-ct6rk9zq6h
Yea
@jhyland87
For sure. Definitely make or break him, lol
@leomaclean9507
Lmfao!
@jjpingleton
Or both lol
@ericbacheller2154
I pray its the latter of the two. I typically eat my prey.
@MinerDiner
"Hey I got a good idea for a music video"
"yeah, what is it?"
"Let's mentally scar a toddler"
"genius"
@callumjerry
lol do better, watch 'the making of' video and then come back
@MinerDiner
@@callumjerry I'd say I basically got the gist of it
@rREC
@@MinerDiner then you know that the kid was an actor that got treated super good and whenever he got scared they would stop the whole recording to see if he was okay