Rotterdam
The Beautiful South Lyrics
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Like they're trying to prove it won't fall out
And all the men are gargoyles
Dipped long in Irish stout
The whole place is pickled
The people are pickles for sure
And no-one knows if they've done more here
Than they ever would do in a jar
This could be Rotterdam or anywhere
Liverpool or Rome
'Cause Rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
Anywhere alone
And everyone is blonde
And everyone is beautiful
And when blondes and beautiful are multiple
They become so dull and dutiful
And when faced with dull and dutiful
They fire red warning flares
Battle-khaki personality
With red underwear
This could be Rotterdam or anywhere
Liverpool or Rome
'Cause Rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
Anywhere alone
The whole place is pickled
The people are pickles for sure
And no-one knows if they've done more here
Than they ever would do in a jar
This could be Rotterdam or anywhere
Liverpool or Rome
'Cause Rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
This could be Rotterdam or anywhere
Liverpool or Rome
'Cause Rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
The Beautiful South's song "Rotterdam" is a song that speaks of the feeling of solitude, detachment, and isolation even when surrounded by people. In the first verse, the images presented are of women tugging at their hair, seemingly trying to hold onto something they fear they might lose. The men, on the other hand, are described as gargoyles drenched in Irish stout, suggesting a sense of stagnation and a lack of vitality. The lyrics continue by portraying an entire city as "pickled," suggesting a population unsure of what they have achieved or what more they can achieve.
The second verse describes the people of the city as blonde and beautiful but also dull and dutiful. They are multiple, but not unique, suggesting that conformity has taken hold of the culture, and people's personalities are lost in a sea of blonde hair and physical beauty. In the chorus, the lyrics ask whether this could be Rotterdam or anywhere, with the emphasis on anywhere alone. It is a statement of the universality of this feeling of detachment and isolation, regardless of the location.
The lyrics of "Rotterdam" are a commentary on the effects of society on individuals' personalities and the toll it can take on one's sense of self. The song suggests that despite being surrounded by people, one can still feel alone and isolated. It speaks to a universal feeling that many people experience, and the song's potency resides in the relatability of its lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
And the women tug their hair
Women in this city are so concerned about losing hair that they appear to be obsessed with it.
Like they're trying to prove it won't fall out
They seem to be doing that because they want to prove to themselves that they still have their hair.
And all the men are gargoyles
All the men in the city look the same and have stone-cold expressions on their faces.
Dipped long in Irish stout
The men have probably been drinking Irish stout for so long that it has become a part of their personality.
The whole place is pickled
The entire city is soaked in alcohol and everyone is drunk.
The people are pickles for sure
People in the city are just like pickles who have been soaked in alcohol for a long time.
And no-one knows if they've done more here
People in this city are so drunk that they don't know whether they have done anything worthwhile while being here or not.
Than they ever would do in a jar
The city is so boring and monotonous that people feel like they are trapped in a jar, and can't do anything new or exciting.
This could be Rotterdam or anywhere
Rotterdam is just another place in the world where people feel trapped and can't seem to find any new experiences.
Liverpool or Rome
This could also be any other city in the world, like Liverpool or Rome, which are just as dull and lifeless as Rotterdam.
'Cause Rotterdam is anywhere
The city of Rotterdam is not unique in any way, it is just like any other city in the world with its own set of problems.
Anywhere alone
People in this city feel so trapped and lonely that they could be anywhere in the world.
And everyone is blonde
Everyone in this city looks the same, with blonde hair, and they all conform to the same outdated beauty standards.
And everyone is beautiful
Despite being a city full of people who look the same, people here are beautiful in their own way.
And when blondes and beautiful are multiple
When you see too many people who conform to the same, outdated beauty standards, they all start to look boring and unremarkable.
They become so dull and dutiful
People in the city are so trapped in the same routines that they have become dutiful and boring.
And when faced with dull and dutiful
When people are confronted with unremarkable and monotonous lifestyles, they become restless and look for a way to escape.
They fire red warning flares
People in this city are warning others about how lifeless and boring the city is, and that they need to escape.
Battle-khaki personality
People in the city also have a fierce and determined personality that helps them to fight off the boredom of the city.
With red underwear
People in the city also have a playful and adventurous side that they keep hidden, like red underwear.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dave Rotheray, Paul Heaton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thomas311470
In a pub at Coventry near the Stadium of the Sky Blues we drank a beer before Feyenoord was playing against the local FC . in this pub was a jukebox with this record in it.
My mate dropped in a coin and choice the beautiful South ROTTERDAM OR ANYPLACE ..living around and werking in Rotterdam gave me Goosebumps, and everytime i hear this song im in Coventry City way back in august 1997 😊
@sathakamara1324
24 years down the line, I still remember this song as if it were yesterday 🌞🌞🌞
@williamforsyth-ye4rc
I lived on Grafton Street, Hull for 6months in the early 90's........used to pass the "South" on the street, see them in the pub, virtually every day......
Big fan of the Housemartins, and loved the Beautiful South!
The best English band of the 90's......by some distance
@foxylady88ful
Just fancied this again and was into it yesterday. It's cool, man. I love beautiful south. Nostalgic. People are pickles for sure 😊 from greater manchester uk, have great Saturday guys, 👍
@mangamama9881
My favourite childhood song 🤩😍
@stephenfoster5608
Jacqui Abbott on fine vocal form. She is from St. Helens in Lancashire- a short journey from Liverpool.
@karl-heinzsichler5261
I heared this very nice song in spring 17, but i didn't knew the artist nor the title, only the words "Anywhere Alone". Now I found it! Thanx MM04 for the lyrics.
@Charlizzie
0:47 <<rival team>> is battered everywhere they go <<rival team>> is battered everywhere they go everywhere they go
@thenoizeeone
tottenham get battered, everywhere they go
@louiehannigan7835
Very calming song :)