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We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed
Los Campesinos! Lyrics


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By the light of the LED display of the VCR recorder
You kiss my neck, I whisper in your ear
This is my downfall as you squint and you grimace
We both know your heart's not in it

In the glow of a thousand fireflies in a travelogue en-suite
They think the future's bright as halogen
We know it's pretty bleak and I'm trying to be sexy
Biting at the air that falls in front of me

The telegrams are more and more less detailed by the day
And all the characters are strangers and the pubs have different names
I tell a joke, I'd like to meet them
But they'll loathe me and I'd hate them back

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Fondness makes the absence longer
Length loses my interest, I'm a realist, I'm insatiable
So ten days until I fly but that was before your reply

You said he got his teeth fixed
I'm gonna break them, I've got a heart on fire
You said he's got his sights set
I'm getting to ya, I've got fists on fire

And you feel terrified at the thought of being left behind
Of losing everybody, the necessity of dying
Oh, we kid ourselves, there's future in the fucking
But there is no fucking future
I'm just practicing my accents picking at old sutures

I taught myself the only way to vaguely get along in love
Is to like the other slightly less than you get in return
I keep feeling like I'm being under-cut

Charlotte says it's more constructive than the one in Canada
When you got drunk, ate loads of crisps and threw up by a football pitch
I know it is and really that's what worries me
I feel like I should hurt

You said he's got his teeth fixed
I'm gonna break them, I've got a heart on fire
He said he's got his sight set
I'm getting to ya, I've got fists on fire

I cannot emphasize enough that my body
Is a badly designed, poorly put together vessel
Harboring these diminishing so called vital organs
Hope my heart goes first, I hope my heart goes first

We are beautiful, we are doomed

Overall Meaning

We Are Beautiful We Are Doomed by Los Campesinos! is a song that explores the complexities of love and relationships in a witty and insightful way. The lyrics are filled with clever wordplay, distorted imagery, and existential angst. The first verse describes a moment of physical intimacy that is marred by emotional detachment. The LED display of the VCR recorder serves as a metaphor for the technological and emotional distance that separates the couple. The line "We both know your heart's not in it" highlights the disconnect between the physical act and the emotional intent.


The second verse takes a more absurdist approach to the theme of love. The image of a thousand fireflies in a travelogue en-suite is juxtaposed with the halogen lights of a grim future. The singer tries to be sexy but is aware of the futility of the gesture. The line "Biting at the air that falls in front of me" conveys a sense of desperation and frustration.


The third verse touches upon the theme of loneliness and alienation. The telegrams become less detailed and the characters become strangers. The singer tries to make a connection but fears rejection. The line "But they'll loathe me and I'd hate them back" reflects a sense of self-loathing and insecurity.


The chorus sums up the contradictions and paradoxes of human existence. We are beautiful but doomed. The future is uncertain but we still cling to hope. There is love but also pain. The final line "Hope my heart goes first, I hope my heart goes first" encapsulates the fear of a lonely and painful death.


Line by Line Meaning

By the light of the LED display of the VCR recorder
We're in a cheap motel.


You kiss my neck, I whisper in your ear
We're having sex even though we're not into it.


This is my downfall as you squint and you grimace
We both know we're not happy.


We both know your heart's not in it
We both know the passion's gone.


In the glow of a thousand fireflies in a travelogue en-suite
We're in a hotel room that's too nice for us.


They think the future's bright as halogen
People think things will get better.


We know it's pretty bleak and I'm trying to be sexy
We're pretty pessimistic.


Biting at the air that falls in front of me
I'm trying to be seductive.


The telegrams are more and more less detailed by the day
Communication is getting worse.


And all the characters are strangers and the pubs have different names
We're feeling disconnected.


I tell a joke, I'd like to meet them
I'm trying to connect with people.


But they'll loathe me and I'd hate them back
But I don't think it'll work out.


Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Distance can make love stronger.


Fondness makes the absence longer
But it can also make it harder.


Length loses my interest, I'm a realist, I'm insatiable
But I'm not good with distance.


So ten days until I fly but that was before your reply
I'm worried about what your message means.


You said he got his teeth fixed
You told me about your ex.


I'm gonna break them, I've got a heart on fire
I'm jealous and angry.


You said he's got his sights set
You told me he's moved on.


I'm getting to ya, I've got fists on fire
I want to make you feel the same way.


And you feel terrified at the thought of being left behind
You're scared of being alone.


Of losing everybody, the necessity of dying
You're scared of death.


Oh, we kid ourselves, there's future in the fucking
But we're not really happy.


But there is no fucking future
We don't see our relationship lasting.


I'm just practicing my accents picking at old sutures
I'm just distracting myself.


I taught myself the only way to vaguely get along in love
I've learned how to survive in relationships.


Is to like the other slightly less than you get in return
By caring less than the other person.


I keep feeling like I'm being under-cut
I feel taken advantage of.


Charlotte says it's more constructive than the one in Canada
My friend Charlotte thinks this trip is helping me.


When you got drunk, ate loads of crisps and threw up by a football pitch
But I hate the person I am with you.


I know it is and really that's what worries me
I'm worried about who I'm becoming.


I feel like I should hurt
I feel like I need to punish myself.


I cannot emphasize enough that my body
My body is terrible.


Is a badly designed, poorly put together vessel
It doesn't work well.


Harboring these diminishing so called vital organs
My health is getting worse with age.


Hope my heart goes first, I hope my heart goes first
I want to die before it gets worse.


We are beautiful, we are doomed
We're a mess, but at least we have each other.




Contributed by Mason P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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