I'll run to you now
From somewhere you won't find me
A different place
A different time

Together that summer
We raised some hell, yeah
But I couldn't forget
You're a kiss and tell

Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend

June 4th, 1989, Primrose Hill, Staten Island
Chalk Farm, Massif Central, Gospel Oak, Sao Paolo
Boston Manor, Costa Rica, Arnos Grove
San Clemente, Tufnell Park, Gracetown, York Way

Videoton, Clerkenwell, Portobello, Maida Vale
Old Ford, Valencia, Kennington, Galveston
Holland Park, Studamer, Dollis Hill, Fougeres
London Fields, Bratislava, Haggerston

Lavinia, Canonbury, Alice Springs
Tooting Graveney, Baffin Island
Pollard's Hill, Winnepeg, Plumstead Common
Hyderabad, Silvertown, Buffalo

If I hadn't left you
Suppose we'd still be lovers
Still be the fights
And I'd ladder my tights

Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend
...

Overall Meaning

In "Girl VII" by Saint Etienne, the singer is reflecting on a past relationship and the nostalgia that comes with it. The singer imagines running away from their current life to find the person they used to love, in a different place and time. They recall a summer where they had a wild time together, but the memory is tainted by the fact that the person they loved was a "kiss and tell." This means they were the type of person who would boast about their romantic conquests to others, which could have contributed to the dissolution of their relationship.

The remainder of the lyrics are a list of various places, both specific and general, that seem to represent memories or landmarks associated with the relationship. The specific dates and locations, such as June 4th, 1989, and Staten Island, suggest that these are significant moments in the relationship's history. The other place names become a sort of litany or catalog of the memories or experiences that are important to the singer. The chorus of "Carrie's got a boyfriend" repeats itself throughout the song, potentially signifying the singer's jealousy, regret or bitter feelings about the breakup.

Overall, "Girl VII" presents a nuanced portrait of nostalgia and lost love, where the singer yearns for a past relationship that wasn't necessarily perfect, but still holds an important place in their heart.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll run to you now
I am moving towards you at the moment

From somewhere you won't find me
I am coming from a place that you are not aware of

A different place
I have traveled to a new location

A different time
I have entered a new period

Together that summer
We spent a summer together

We raised some hell, yeah
We had some wild and exciting experiences

But I couldn't forget
I was unable to erase from my mind

You're a kiss and tell
You talk about your romantic encounters with others

Carrie's got a boyfriend
Someone named Carrie is in a relationship

June 4th, 1989, Primrose Hill, Staten Island
A specific date and location

Chalk Farm, Massif Central, Gospel Oak, Sao Paolo
A list of places

Boston Manor, Costa Rica, Arnos Grove
More places on the list

San Clemente, Tufnell Park, Gracetown, York Way
Still more places on the list

Videoton, Clerkenwell, Portobello, Maida Vale
More places on the list

Old Ford, Valencia, Kennington, Galveston
More places on the list

Holland Park, Studamer, Dollis Hill, Fougeres
More places on the list

London Fields, Bratislava, Haggerston
More places on the list

Lavinia, Canonbury, Alice Springs
Even more places on the list

Tooting Graveney, Baffin Island
Still more places on the list

Pollard's Hill, Winnepeg, Plumstead Common
More places on the list

Hyderabad, Silvertown, Buffalo
The final places on the list

If I hadn't left you
If I had not gone away from you

Suppose we'd still be lovers
We might still be in a romantic relationship

Still be the fights
We would still be arguing and disagreeing

And I'd ladder my tights
I would still have ripped or snagged my stockings

Carrie's got a boyfriend
Repeating the previous statement

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB STANLEY, PETER STEWART WIGGS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Roiy Benkel

4y↑6

I'm writing you now from somewhere you won't find me
A different place, a different time
Together that summer, we raised some hell, yeah
But I couldn't forget, you're a kiss and tell

Carrie's got a boyfriend, Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend, Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend, Carrie's got a boyfriend
Carrie's got a boyfriend, Carrie's got a boyfriend

June 4th, 1989...
Primrose Hill, Staten Island, Chalk Farm, Massif Central
Gospel Oak, São Paolo, Boston Manor, Costa Rica
Arnos Grove, San Clemente, Tufnell Park, Gracetown
York Way, Videoton, Clerkenwell, Portobello, Maida Vale
Old Ford, Valencia, Kennington, Galveston, Holland Park
Studamer, Dollis Hill, Fougeres, London Fields
Bratislava, Haggerston, Lavínia, Canonbury, Alice Springs
Tooting Graveney, Baffin Island, Pollard's Hill, Winnepeg
Plumstead Common, Hyderabad, Silvertown, Buffalo
If I hadn't left you, suppose we'd still be lovers
There'd still be the fights and I'd ladder my tights

Carrie's got a boyfriend, Carrie's got a boyfriend...