In addition to their own work, Basement Jaxx have become in-demand remixers. Tracks such as 4 My People (which became a massive chart and club hit), Like I Love You and She Wants To Move have all had the Basement Jaxx remix treatment.
Their official website is www.basementjaxx.co.uk
What s A Girl Gotta Do
Basement Jaxx Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Miles from the world so far from the human race
On your wildest face paint I see the tracks of tears
Running around like a mouse in a cage for a thousand years
Drinking wine to take away your pain
Collect all the tears you cry
Collect them all for me
Well and nothing's ever happened no oh
What's a girl gotta do to have some fun with you
Shut your mouth put your lips on me
I feel guilty waiting for you to notice me
Should I write it on my forehead do you need it on TV
Can't you see I'm a freak for you as sweet as tea and lime
And it so clear to me you are empty as can be
Drinking wine to take away your pain
Collect all the tears you cry
Collect them all for me
What's a girl gotta do to get your attention
Well and nothing's ever happened no oh
What's a girl gotta do to have some fun with you
Shut your mouth put your lips on me
How does one equal three
Sometimes it is hard to find
Sometimes to my surprise
Cause all I want to do is die
When you touch me
Yeah you want me
When you touch me
Yeah you want me
No sir don't
Buh doomp buh duh doomp
Buh doomp buh duh doomp
What's a girl gotta do to get your attention
Well and nothing's ever happened no oh
What's a girl gotta do to get your attention
Well and nothing's ever happened no oh
What's a girl gotta do to get your attention
Well and nothing's ever happened no oh
What's a girl gotta do to have some fun with you
Shut your mouth put your lips on me
Shut your mouth put your lips on me
Dali llama caught you ah caught you ah
The lyrics to Basement Jaxx's "What's a Girl Gotta Do?" seem to center around the theme of unrequited love and the lengths that the singer is willing to go to get the attention of their crush. The first verse describes the singer as being out of place and far removed from society, alluding to the idea that they feel isolated and alone. They also refer to the "tracks of tears" on their painted face, suggesting that they have been crying and struggling with their emotions for a long time.
The second verse is a plea for attention, describing the singer as feeling like a "freak" for their crush and asking what they have to do to get noticed. They even suggest writing it on their forehead or putting it on TV to get their attention. The chorus then repeats the question of what it takes to get attention, followed by the suggestion to "shut your mouth put your lips on me," indicating a desire for physical intimacy with the object of their affection.
The final lines of the song include the repeated phrase "Dali llama caught you ah caught you ah," which may be a nonsensical phrase meant to evoke a sense of playfulness or whimsy in the midst of the song's more serious subject matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Go on with a smile your joints so out of place
Keep smiling even if you are feeling pain and discomfort
Miles from the world so far from the human race
Feeling disconnected from society, like being in a different world
On your wildest face paint I see the tracks of tears
Crying on the inside despite putting on a brave face
Running around like a mouse in a cage for a thousand years
Feeling trapped and going in circles with no end
Drinking wine to take away your pain
Using alcohol to escape from emotional pain
Collect all the tears you cry
Keeping all the emotions bottled up inside
Collect them all for me
Sharing your deepest feelings with someone close to you
What's a girl gotta do to get your attention
Feeling ignored and desperate for someone's attention
Well and nothing's ever happened no oh
Feeling stuck and stagnant, with nothing happening or changing
What's a girl gotta do to have some fun with you
Wishing for some excitement and enjoyment in a relationship
Shut your mouth put your lips on me
Desiring physical intimacy with someone
I feel guilty waiting for you to notice me
Feeling like desperation for attention is a weakness or character flaw
Should I write it on my forehead do you need it on TV
Wondering if being more obvious will finally get someone's attention
Can't you see I'm a freak for you as sweet as tea and lime
Being hopelessly infatuated with someone, but feeling like an oddball
And it so clear to me you are empty as can be
Feeling disappointment and disillusionment with someone who seems shallow or uninterested
How does one equal three
Questioning the logic or reason behind a situation
Sometimes it is hard to find
Struggling to understand or make sense of something
Sometimes to my surprise
Feeling surprised by unexpected outcomes or reactions
Cause all I want to do is die
Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, with no desire to keep going
When you touch me, Yeah you want me
Feeling wanted and desired when someone shows physical affection
No sir don't
Having mixed feelings or hesitating to engage in physical intimacy
Buh doomp buh duh doomp
Instrumental interlude
Dali llama caught you ah caught you ah
Nonsensical phrase used for musical effect
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: FRANCIS EG WHITE, FELIX BUXTON, SIMON RATCLIFFE, PALOMA FAITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind