Violent Youth
[Crystal Castles] Lyrics


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Show up in your lace
Drink up little girl
And they will always let you down
Hold your mother’s pearl

Show up in your lace
Up to your cheekbones
Prevention is the only cure
Kiss them through windows
Throw up in your plate

Look angelical
If you sleep before I arrive
I’ll pray for you my girl




A flower on fire
And I will always let you down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of this song, like with many of Crystal Castles' works, are quite cryptic and seem to be open to interpretation. One possible meaning is that it's addressing the destructive nature of youth culture and how it can lead to disappointment and dark experiences. The first line "Show up in your lace" could refer to young people trying to fit into societal expectations and standards of beauty. "Drink up little girl" could be interpreted as youth indulging in alcohol or other vices, and subsequently being let down by their actions. "Hold your mother's pearl" might represent the youth's connection to their family or traditions, but possibly being lost or abandoned due to their actions.


The line "Prevention is the only cure" may be suggesting that the only way to avoid these negative experiences is to not indulge or give in to impulses. "Kiss them through windows" could represent the feeling of being isolated or disconnected from others, and only being able to interact through a screen. The final lines "If you sleep before I arrive, I'll pray for you my girl, a flower on fire, and I will always let you down" emphasize the singer's inability to protect or guide the youth, and the inevitability of disappointment and failure.


Line by Line Meaning

Show up in your lace
Appear in your delicate clothing


Drink up little girl
Consume your alcoholic beverage, young female


And they will always let you down
Those people will consistently disappoint you


Hold your mother’s pearl
Keep your precious possession that once belonged to your mother


Up to your cheekbones
Covered with lace up to your upper facial bones


Prevention is the only cure
The best solution to problems is to prevent them from happening


Kiss them through windows
Exchange kisses through a barrier, possibly a glass window


Throw up in your plate
Vomit on your dish


Look angelical
Appear innocent and pure like an angel


If you sleep before I arrive
If you go to sleep prior to my arrival


I’ll pray for you my girl
I will request divine intervention on your behalf, my dear female


A flower on fire
A beautiful object engulfed in flames


And I will always let you down
I will continuously disappoint you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE GLASS, ETHAN KATH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ethanadkins6467

3:10

When I fell
Broken and foolish
I'm running from what you can't see

Nothing has me here
To be a reminding of her
Slipping and foolish
I drift away to nightmares

Slowly shining
I see a lining mirage
Words slither nightfall
I'm running from/my demons they wont let me



All comments from YouTube:

@rachelfourie9083

Everyone talks about feeling sad or strange, but I feel strangely bittersweet and comforted by this.

@camojacktindale675

It’s about abuse

@emil3458

@@camojacktindale675 im not talking about the lyrics, this song melody makes me euphoric.

@direktormusorki666

@@emil3458 same

@shatteredrib2696

I say "i wanna cry" 💔🌹🔫

@shatteredrib2696

@@emil3458 a mi igual

1 More Replies...

@LeRoiSoleilLuv

this whole album makes me feel like i'm sixteen again. every song reminds me of my life back then

@flaviamendes4075

yes, bro

@allie4182

8 years ago
how are you feeling

@creaturescraps_2232

@@allie4182 I'm still on a trip since then lol

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