Sweet like my tomato
Red cherry tomato
Down at the market pick out the ripe one
Tempting me sorely I want to bite one
Wait, save it for later

We had a good time at the beginning
It tasted just like all the things I was missing
I'll go at full boil 'til you stop stop stop stop me
Later

Stay and I will make you dinner
Taste, each dish will be better
After the first bite say it's delicious
But then appetite isn't what we'd predicted
Would you want to heat it up later?

We had a good time at the beginning
It tasted just like all the things I was missing
I'll go at full boil 'til you stop stop stop stop me
Later

Rollercoaster, want to go back to the way things were
I'm on the rollercoaster, want to get back on the Tilt-A-Whirl

I'll be your monkey, a puppy, your circus freak
Fell the first day, it took a whole week
Rollercoaster, can't we go back to the way things were?

Vertigo is the only clue
You're sick on me, I'm sick on you
Rollercoaster, want to back to the Tilt-A-Whirl

I'm dizzy and faithless, where is the ground?
You said this thing would not go upside down
Rollercoaster, want to get back to the way things were
All right...

Sweet you're my tomato
Red cherry tomato
I know that some of our days are bitter
Stay with me honey and things could be better
Wait, wait until later

We had a good time at the beginning
It tasted just like all the things I was missing
I'll go at full boil 'til you stop stop stop stop me
Later

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sleater-Kinney's Rollercoaster are open to interpretation and the song can be viewed as an allegory for a tumultuous relationship or a reflection on the ups and downs of life. The theme of the song revolves around the struggle of holding on to the excitement and passion of new beginnings, versus dealing with the realities of the present day. Carrie Brownstein's lyrics of the song, "We had a good time at the beginning, It tasted just like all the things I was missing," suggest that the couple started off well, but the thrill of the early days is gone and the relationship has lost its excitement. The chorus suggests that the relationship feels like a rollercoaster, and it's a bumpy, wild and scary ride. But the couple is still trying to hold on to each other and trying to make things better.

The lyrics also suggest a sense of longing and regret for the time gone by, "Rollercoaster, want to go back to the way things were, I'm on the rollercoaster, want to get back on the Tilt-A-Whirl." The metaphor of the rollercoaster is aptly used to describe the many twists and turns of life, and the dizzying effects of the highs and lows. The desire for things to go back to the way they were, suggests that the future is uncertain and the present is tumultuous. The implication is that the couple wants to work on their relationship and make things better, but they can't seem to find their way.

Line by Line Meaning

Sweet like my tomato
You are like a sweet, ripe tomato

Red cherry tomato
Like a red cherry tomato, you are tempting me

Down at the market pick out the ripe one
I want to choose the best, most ripe version of you

Tempting me sorely I want to bite one
You are tempting me greatly, and I want to indulge in you

Wait, save it for later
But I know I need to be patient and wait for the right time

We had a good time at the beginning
We were happy and in love at first

It tasted just like all the things I was missing
Our relationship fulfilled something I had been lacking before

I'll go at full boil 'til you stop stop stop stop me
However, I tend to become too passionate and intense, to the point where you need to intervene

Later
But for now, we will put that aside

Stay and I will make you dinner
If you stay with me, I will cook you a delicious meal

Taste, each dish will be better
Each dish will be better than the last

After the first bite say it's delicious
You will enjoy the meal from the start

But then appetite isn't what we'd predicted
But, unfortunately, things may not go as planned

Would you want to heat it up later?
Do you think things could improve if we revisited our relationship in the future?

Rollercoaster, want to go back to the way things were
Our relationship has had its ups and downs, but I want to go back to when things were good

I'm on the rollercoaster, want to get back on the Tilt-A-Whirl
I feel like I'm on an emotional rollercoaster, but I still want to experience the high points

I'll be your monkey, a puppy, your circus freak
I will do whatever I can to make you happy

Fell the first day, it took a whole week
The relationship started off strong, but quickly faltered and it took a while to recover

Vertigo is the only clue
Feeling off balance is the only way to tell that something is wrong

You're sick on me, I'm sick on you
We both feel bad about how things have turned out

Rollercoaster, want to back to the Tilt-A-Whirl
I want to go back to a simpler, less tumultuous time in our relationship

I'm dizzy and faithless, where is the ground?
I'm feeling lost and unsure of what to do next

You said this thing would not go upside down
I trusted you when you said that things wouldn't fall apart, but they did

All right...
Despite all this, I'm willing to keep trying

Sweet you're my tomato
You are still a sweet and important part of my life

I know that some of our days are bitter
I understand that there will be difficulties and hardships in our relationship

Stay with me honey and things could be better
But if we stay together and work through those issues, things could improve

Wait, wait until later
We'll figure it out, but for now let's wait and see what happens

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