White coats
Baxter Dury Lyrics

The lyrics to "White Coats" by Baxter Dury, Etienne de Crécy, and Delilah Holliday convey a theme of disillusionment and detachment. The song addresses individuals who wear "white coats," symbolizing authority figures or those who are perceived to be in control. The singer observes these individuals from a detached perspective, noting their superficial actions and interactions.

In the first verse, the singer describes seeing the white coats sleeping, seemingly unaware of their own shortcomings. The singer laughs, possibly in a cynical way, as if realizing a flaw or weakness that the white coats are oblivious to. This laughter may be a mocking reaction, suggesting that the singer sees through their facade.

The second verse continues this observation, highlighting how the white coats talk and look, but appear to lack true understanding or genuine concern. The singer remains indifferent to their actions and pretenses. The white coats may be seen as pretentious or shallow, acting as if they know everything while lacking true depth or sincerity.

The chorus implies that the white coats' words and actions are ultimately inconsequential. Their attempts to convey meaning or happiness are seen as mere performances. The "funny little people" running in circles are perhaps those who blindly follow the white coats' lead, pretending to be content but ultimately just going through the motions.

The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the singer's apathy towards the white coats. The realization that "all there is is you, all there is is me" implies a sense of equal insignificance and disconnection from the world. The perception of things seeming the same may signify a lack of genuine change or progress, perhaps indicating a cycle of superficiality and conformity.