Unfair
Pavement Lyrics
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Across the grapevine to LA
We've got deserts, we've got trees
We've got the hills of Beverly
Let's burn the hills of Beverly
Walk with your credit card in the air
Swingin' nunchakus like you just don't care
This is the slow, sick, sucking part of me
This is the slow, sick, sucking part of me
And when I suck your kisses, it's ours
Up to the top of the Shasta Gulch
And to the bottom of the Tahoe Lake
Manmade deltas and concrete rivers
The south takes what the north delivers
You film hack, I don't use your fade
Lost in the foothills on my bike
Drinking Euro, say goodnight
To the last psychedelic band
From Sacto, Northern Cal
From Sacto, Northern Cal
Take it, neighbor, you're my neighbor
And I need favors, you're my neighbor
You've done me favors 'cause I'm your neighbor
I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash
The lyrics to Pavement's song "Unfair" are a mixture of references to different places in California and a commentary on societal values. The song begins with references to Santa Rosa, LA, and Beverly Hills, highlighting the vast differences in landscapes and lifestyles in California. The line "let's burn the hills of Beverly" can be interpreted as a critique of the extravagance and materialism associated with the Beverly Hills lifestyle.
The chorus is a repetition of the line "this is the slow, sick, sucking part of me" followed by "and when I suck your kisses, it's ours." This could be interpreted as a moment of vulnerability or a confession of a flaw in the songwriter's character. The line "it's ours" suggests that this flaw is shared by the person receiving their kisses.
The second verse references the natural landscapes of California such as Shasta Gulch and Tahoe Lake but contrasts it with the man-made deltas and concrete rivers in Southern California. The line "the south takes what the north delivers" could be interpreted as commentary on how the resources of Northern California are often exploited for the benefit of Southern California.
The song ends with the songwriter addressing their neighbor, using it as a character to reflect on how we treat one another. The line "you Bakersfield trash" is derogatory and highlights the societal divide between different regions and classes.
Overall, "Unfair" is a commentary on society's flaws and how they manifest in different places and people.
Line by Line Meaning
Down in Santa Rosa over the Bay
We're in central California, by the Bay Area.
Across the grapevine to LA
We're driving across the grapevine, a mountain pass, to get to Los Angeles.
We've got deserts, we've got trees
California's landscape is diverse, with both deserts and forests.
We've got the hills of Beverly
We're in Beverly Hills, a wealthy area known for its hills and exclusivity.
Let's burn the hills of Beverly
We want to destroy the exclusivity and wealth of Beverly Hills.
Walk with your credit card in the air
We're mocking consumerism and the idea that people show off their wealth with credit cards.
Swingin' nunchakus like you just don't care
We're being silly and ridiculous, challenging social norms.
This is the slow, sick, sucking part of me
This is the part of me that's unhealthy, draining, and not enjoyable.
And when I suck your kisses, it's ours
We're sharing physical affection and creating a connection.
Up to the top of the Shasta Gulch
We're climbing to the peak of the Shasta Gulch.
And to the bottom of the Tahoe Lake
We're descending to the lowest point of Lake Tahoe.
Manmade deltas and concrete rivers
We're commenting on human intervention in nature, like creating manmade deltas and channels for rivers.
The south takes what the north delivers
Southern California benefits from Northern California's resources.
You film hack, I don't use your fade
We're criticizing someone who's unoriginal and copying trends.
Lost in the foothills on my bike
We're aimless and wandering in the foothills on a bike.
Drinking Euro, say goodnight
We're having a drink and saying goodbye.
To the last psychedelic band
We're saying goodbye to the last band of the psychedelic era.
From Sacto, Northern Cal
The band is from Sacramento, in Northern California.
Take it, neighbor, you're my neighbor
We're talking to someone we know, acknowledging we live close to each other.
And I need favors, you're my neighbor
We're asking for help because we're neighbors.
You've done me favors 'cause I'm your neighbor
We're acknowledging that our neighbor has helped us in the past.
I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash
We're insulting someone from Bakersfield and denying that we're their neighbor.
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Stephen Malkmus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind