Attracting Flies
AlunaGeorge Lyrics


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Hold on now, I'm choking
Give me a second to collect myself
You must be joking
Otherwise I'm laughing to myself

Why you here again
Hold on a minute, let me check this out
Your invitation's a fake
Must be from a ticket tout

I hear you out, you hear me out
I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out
I hear you out, you hear me out
I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out

Little grey fairy tales
And little white lies
Everything you exhale is attracting flies

And you can go off the rails
And you can cry your eyes out
But everything you exhale is attracting flies

Please stay, it's your moment
I'll give you all the listening that you need
Don't be a showman
Who needs the drama
Who said you had to bleed

I'm excited
Come on, surprise me, sweep me off my feet
Oh, enlighten me
What is this special thing 'bout you I need

I hear you out, you hear me out
I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out
I hear you out, you hear me out
I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out

Little grey fairy tales
And little white lies
Everything you exhale is attracting flies

And you can go off the rails
And you can cry your eyes out
But everything you exhale is attracting flies

How'd you think it felt when you stuck the knife in
You know my heart died and you had me aching
How about a piece of your own medicine
Now you're outside there tryna get in

Baby, why would I care if you want me
Baby, why would I care if you don't
Baby, why would I care if you need me
Baby, why would I care if you don't

Little grey fairy tales
And little white lies
Everything you exhale is attracting flies

And you can go off the rails




And you can cry your eyes out
But everything you exhale is attracting flies

Overall Meaning

AlunaGeorge's "Attracting Flies" is a dark, introspective song about the negative consequences of lying and manipulation. The first verse sets the tone, with the singer choking on the lies being spewed at her by the person she's addressing. She's aware of the falsehoods but still willing to give the other person a chance to explain themselves. The chorus reinforces the idea that everything this person says is like a bad smell, attracting flies (representative of unwanted attention or negative energy). The second verse takes on a more confrontational tone, with the singer daring the person to surprise her with something genuine, rather than playing the roles of victim or aggressor in a toxic relationship.


The bridge is perhaps the most emotionally charged part of the song, with the singer confronting the other person about their hurtful behavior. She questions why they would continue to try to worm their way back into her good graces even though they caused her so much pain. The final chorus sees the singer acknowledging that even though she's been hurt, she won't let the other person's negativity affect her.


The song is a commentary on the toxicity of relationships in which one person is constantly lying and manipulating the other. The flies that are attracted to the person's exhales represent the unwanted negative energy that infests the relationship. The singer's decision to not engage with this person is a rejection of the cycle of abuse and a commitment to seek out healthier relationships in the future.


Line by Line Meaning

Hold on now, I'm choking
I need a moment to catch my breath and compose myself


Give me a second to collect myself
Please wait a moment while I regain control of my emotions


You must be joking
I find it hard to believe that you are serious


Otherwise I'm laughing to myself
If you are serious, then I find the situation amusing


Why you here again
I am curious as to why you have returned


Hold on a minute, let me check this out
Please wait a moment while I investigate this situation


Your invitation's a fake
I believe that the invitation you presented to me is not genuine


Must be from a ticket tout
It is likely that the invitation was obtained from an unauthorized seller


I hear you out, you hear me out
Let's have a conversation where we both listen and speak


I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out
I understand your point of view, but I am not going to change my mind or actions


Little grey fairy tales
Stories that are not entirely truthful or realistic


And little white lies
Small lies that are told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to make oneself look better


Everything you exhale is attracting flies
Your behavior and actions are drawing negative attention and criticism


And you can go off the rails
You can lose control or behave recklessly


And you can cry your eyes out
You can express your emotions and feel sadness


But everything you exhale is attracting flies
Your behavior and actions continue to draw negative attention and criticism


Please stay, it's your moment
Remain where you are, this is a time for you to speak and be heard


I'll give you all the listening that you need
I will listen to you attentively and without interruption


Don't be a showman
Do not behave in an exaggerated or attention-seeking way


Who needs the drama
There is no need for unnecessary conflict or tension


Who said you had to bleed
There is no need for you to suffer or be harmed in any way


I'm excited
I am eager and enthusiastic to learn more


Come on, surprise me, sweep me off my feet
Impress and amaze me, make me feel overwhelmed with emotion


Oh, enlighten me
Please inform me, help me understand


What is this special thing 'bout you I need
What is the unique quality or characteristic that makes you important to me


How'd you think it felt when you stuck the knife in
How do you think it felt for me when you betrayed me


You know my heart died and you had me aching
Your actions caused me intense emotional pain


How about a piece of your own medicine
It is time for you to experience the same negative consequences you have inflicted on others


Now you're outside there tryna get in
After being rejected, you are now attempting to be included again


Baby, why would I care if you want me
I am indifferent to your desire for me


Baby, why would I care if you don't
I am indifferent to your lack of desire for me


Baby, why would I care if you need me
I am indifferent to your dependence on me


Little grey fairy tales
Stories that are not entirely truthful or realistic


And little white lies
Small lies that are told to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to make oneself look better


Everything you exhale is attracting flies
Your behavior and actions are drawing negative attention and criticism


And you can go off the rails
You can lose control or behave recklessly


And you can cry your eyes out
You can express your emotions and feel sadness


But everything you exhale is attracting flies
Your behavior and actions continue to draw negative attention and criticism




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALUNA DEWJI-FRANCIS, GEORGE REID

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

Ominous Clouds

This song is basically about her reaction to lying, as she doesn't approve, even if their "little white lies" As she said "Hold on now, I'm choking
Give me a second to collect myself
You must be joking
Otherwise I'm laughing to myself" So she was shocked even when she found out he lied, because she checked and found out the information for herself
"I hear you out, you hear me out
I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out
I hear you out, you hear me out
I hear you shout, I'm not stepping out"
I think this part has to do with her boyfriend giving her false information or something and she;s not leaving at all. Or for any reason, telling him everything that comes from his mouth is a fairy tale(lie) And it's attracting flies (still meaning lie). Thats how the video comes in showing how fairy tales could in fact be real. She doesn't care whether he cries or runs away just because he lied to her. But then she asks him why she should in fact take him back. Would he sweep her off her feet surprise her, show her some special skill? The fact is she doesn't care if he wants her or needs her, she isn't coming out



All comments from YouTube:

Luke Dalton

How on earth did I forget about this one? Such great production and Aluna’s vocals are amazing! Who’s listening in 2023?

Captain Ephy

I expected more views ,this song is just special .You can remember how you felt the first time you heard it when it can out 😭

Antonio Stark

I literally just learned about this song last week!

ah hh

I remember hearing it on big brother in like 2012 😭

Romina Bali

10 years after my ears feel blessed when I hear this song and artist, thanks Alunageorge for existing !

HiItsNatrise

Fairy tales in order
Red riding hood 0:22
Rapunzel 0:58
Prince Eric 1:15
Goldie lox 1:22
Sword and the stone 1:43
The princess and the pod 1:54
Sleeping beauty 2:13
Snow White 2:21
Beauty and the beast 2:41

Louise A. C.

Princess and the pea........

Jolie_phantasm

👍

Adrian Snape

Plain sight and never realised. Allows me to look at this video in a totally different way

Nardo

Damn the production on this song is and always has been on point!

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