Isles
Little Comets Lyrics
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Apologetic parents you can get a job
Sometimes I'm feeling just like Cupid with a bow and arrow
And I'm firing it at people who remain too shallow
In the B R I T I say British Isles
The streets are bleak, the kids are running wild
Terror on the pavement, panic in the street
Tension in the twisted silence of our sheets
Sometimes I lie awake for hours feeling so synthetic
While my eyes are screaming out for something way more epic
It's the B R I T I say British Isles
The streets are bleak, the kids are running wild
Terribly bold they try so hard
Never look up to see the stars
In the B R I T I say British Isles
Leeds screaming Bristol torn
Belfast and Hull forlorn
Oxford dreaming in denial
With all it's gleaming spires
Stoke bleeding Glasgow yawns
Dundee and Cardiff mourn
York breaking Sheffied cries
All fears are multiplied
B R I T I say British Isles
The streets are bleak, the kids are running wild
Terribly bold they try so hard
Never look up to see the stars
In the B R I T I say British Isles
The lyrics of "Isles" by Little Comets is a commentary on the economic troubles facing people in the United Kingdom, and how the younger generation is affected by it. The song starts by pointing out that even during an economic downturn or when parents are apologetic, one can always find a job. The singer feels like Cupid, shooting his bow and arrow at shallow people, suggesting that people are only interested in superficial things and close-minded, which is indicative of a larger societal issue.
The song then moves on to the British Isles, where the streets are bleak and the kids are running wild. The tension in the society is so much that it's palpable, and the singer can't sleep at night, wishing for something way more epic than what life currently offers. The list of places - Leeds, Belfast, Dundee, Oxford, Hull, Sheffield, Glasgow, and Cardiff - highlights how different towns and cities in the UK are dealing with these issues, and how they all have their own problems.
The song eventually ends with the chorus that repeats, "In the B R I T I say British Isles, The streets are bleak, the kids are running wild. Terribly bold they try so hard, Never look up to see the stars, In the B R I T I say British Isles." The message is clear and resonates with the listeners - it's a cry for help in a country that is going through tough times.
Line by Line Meaning
Economic downturn you can get a job
Even though there is an economic crisis, there are job opportunities available.
Apologetic parents you can get a job
Even if your parents apologize for something, you can make a living by getting a job.
Sometimes I'm feeling just like Cupid with a bow and arrow
The singer sometimes feels like Cupid, the god of love, who aims and shoots arrows at people, hoping to make them fall in love.
And I'm firing it at people who remain too shallow
The artist is aiming his Cupid-like arrows at shallow people who need to be more authentic.
In the B R I T I say British Isles
Referring to the British Isles, with 'B R I T I' as a shorthand to mean Britain, Isles, and the letter 'T' in between.
The streets are bleak, the kids are running wild
The streets are empty and dull, and the younger generation is behaving recklessly.
Terror on the pavement, panic in the street
People are afraid to leave their homes due to the terror on the streets and the panic in the city.
Tension in the twisted silence of our sheets
There is a sense of stress even in silence, in the comforts of our bedsheets.
Sometimes I lie awake for hours feeling so synthetic
At times, the artist lies awake feeling artificial or insincere.
While my eyes are screaming out for something way more epic
The artist is yearning for something more grand and exciting than their current mundane life.
Terribly bold they try so hard
The youth are very daring and bold, always pushing boundaries to their limits.
Never look up to see the stars
Despite their boldness, the youth are unaware of their potential and never seek to discover the possibilities.
Leeds screaming Bristol torn
Leeds is noisy and chaotic, while Bristol is fragmented and damaged.
Belfast and Hull forlorn
Belfast and Hull are desolate and depressed.
Oxford dreaming in denial
Oxford is dreaming of something better, but is in denial of the current state of things.
With all its gleaming spires
Despite its hardships, Oxford still possesses beautiful and grand architecture.
Stoke bleeding Glasgow yawns
Stoke is suffering and Glasgow is bored and uninterested.
Dundee and Cardiff mourn
Dundee and Cardiff are grieving and upset.
York breaking Sheffield cries
York is fractured and Sheffield is weeping.
All fears are multiplied
All of our fears and anxieties are becoming increasingly greater, rather than diminishing.
Contributed by Declan E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@thatonethere722
I have fallen in love with Britain just the way it is in this video. It's beautiful and I love it more than ever
@ZZBcrazy
Hehehe, can't believe these guys sent me these lyrics on the drum skin they used for recording this album with a note saying happy birthday hahaha, cannot wait to see them tomorrow at Manchester :)
@hollywilkinson9813
AMAZING VIDEO. I absolutely love the rawness of this video. No matter how many times I watch this it never gets old. It's refreshing to see a different perspective of the UK portrayed on camera rather than the majority of music videos that are shot in London YAWN and do not reflect life outside of London nor relate to the majority of kids that buy the singles. Probably too busy trying to attract an American audience rather than create emotive videos that evoke a sense of belonging.
@missscarlett18
love this video, plus the band are some of the nicest guys ive ever met. i was hammered and the drummer asked if i was ok ha!
@CarxV_one
Im a mexican foreigner and I think this is beautiful. Hooray for the human race :D
@Chiselfield
Brilliant, the lyrics encompass everything i've felt about this little island since my late teens. Mad insightful yo.
@jubbaloo1
My love for this song is on a par with the love for my country!! So good!!
@itarose1852
love all your songs. Keep up & I LOVE you all.
@doubleyellow44
i found these guys through a friend about three months ago and their music is so irresistible, i love all their songs and i can't wait to travel just to watch these guys play.
@litergod
Just bought this song on iTunes, one of the best purchases I've ever made!