Summer Girl
Beck Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I saw her, yeah I saw her
With her black tongue tied round the roses
Fist pounding on a vending machine
Toy diamond ring stuck on her finger

With a noose she can hang from the sun
Put it out with her dark sunglasses
Walking crooked down the beach
She spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching

And I know I’m gonna steal her life
She doesn’t even know what’s wrong
And I know I’m gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I’m gonna steal her life
Nothing that I wouldn't try

Hey, my cyanide girl
Hey, my cyanide girl
My cyanide girl
Hey, my cyanide girl

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her hands tied back
And her rags were burning
Crawling out from a land filled life
Scrawling her name upon the ceiling

Throw a coin in a fountain of dust
White noise, her ears are ringing
Got a ticket for a midnight hanging
Throw a bullet from a freight train leaving

And I know I’m gonna steal her life
She doesn’t even know what’s wrong
And I know I’m gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I’m gonna steal her life
Nothing that I wouldn't try

Hey, my cyanide girl
Hey, my cyanide girl




My cyanide girl
Hey, my cyanide girl

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beck’s “Summer Girl” are open to interpretation and can be seen as a dark and twisted love song. The song starts with the singer describing a girl with a black tongue, pounding on a vending machine, and wearing a toy diamond ring. The description of this woman is both intriguing and ominous, and sets the tone for the rest of the song.


As the lyrics progress, the singer reveals his intention to “steal her life” and take her where her soul belongs. He references a noose she can hang from the sun, dark sunglasses, and a beach where bones are bleaching. These images convey a sense of danger and death. The line “she doesn’t even know what’s wrong” could suggest that the woman is both unaware of the singer’s sinister intentions and possibly going through something darker herself.


The chorus includes the haunting repetition of “Hey, my cyanide girl” which could be interpreted as the singer recognizing the toxicity of their relationship or his desire to be with someone who is dangerous and deadly. The lyrics continue with the woman’s hands tied back and her rags burning, as if she is a prisoner or a victim of some sort. The singer ends the song with the line “nothing that I wouldn’t try” which suggests he will go to any lengths to be with this woman, even if it means putting their lives at risk.


Overall, the lyrics of “Summer Girl” can be interpreted as a dark commentary on the complexities of love and attraction.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw her, yeah I saw her
The singer has spotted the girl previously


With her black tongue tied round the roses
The girl has a sense of darkness and rebellion about her


Fist pounding on a vending machine
She is frustrated or angry about something and taking it out on the vending machine


Toy diamond ring stuck on her finger
She may have a fascination with sparkle, even if the ring is fake


With a noose she can hang from the sun
She is capable of self destructive behavior that could lead to a dangerous outcome


Put it out with her dark sunglasses
She has the power to block out the light or hide reality


Walking crooked down the beach
She may be unbalanced or walking aimlessly


She spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching
Her behavior is disrespectful and she may have a disregard for the past


And I know I’m gonna steal her life
The artist has intentions of controlling or taking advantage of the girl


She doesn’t even know what’s wrong
The girl may be unaware or naive about the danger she is in


Take her where her soul belongs
The singer believes he can direct the girl's life and soul as he desires


Nothing that I wouldn't try
The artist is willing to go to great extreme or lengths to control the girl


Hey, my cyanide girl
The singer views the girl as a metaphor for poison or danger


I saw her, yeah I saw her with her hands tied back
The girl has been restrained or held captive before


And her rags were burning
The things she has or her identity may be in danger or at risk


Crawling out from a land filled life
The girl wants to escape a life that seems to be holding her back or suffocating her


Scrawling her name upon the ceiling
The girl wants to leave her mark or make her presence known


Throw a coin in a fountain of dust
She may be wishing for something that cannot come true or is impossible


White noise, her ears are ringing
The girl is experiencing chaos or confusion that is affecting her senses


Got a ticket for a midnight hanging
The artist may have made plans for her end or demise


Throw a bullet from a freight train leaving
The artist has intentions of terminating their relationship in a sudden or unexpected manner


Hey, my cyanide girl
The artist continues to view the girl as a metaphor for poison or danger


Hey, my cyanide girl
The singer reiterates the metaphor for the girl's dangerous nature


My cyanide girl
The girl is seen as lethal or deadly


Hey, my cyanide girl
The singer repeats his controlling and dangerous attitude towards the girl




Contributed by Elliot N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

My Name Is

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her black tongue tied
Round the roses
Fist pounding on a vending machine
Toy diamond ring stuck on her finger
With a noose she can hang from the sun
And put it out with her dark sunglasses
Walking crooked down the beach
She spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I wouldn't try

Hey, my sun-eyed girl
Hey, my sun-eyed girl

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her hands tied back
And her rags were burning
Crawling out from a landfilled life
Scrawling her name upon the ceiling
Throw a coin in a fountain of dust
White noise, her ears are ringing
Got a ticket for a midnight hanging
Throw a bullet from a freight train leaving
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I would not try

Hey, my sun-eyed girl



ThyWorldToday

This song has been out since 2005 and still no one looks at the lyrics, do only I understand becks jokes

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her black tongue tied
Round the roses
Fist pounding on a vending machine
Toy diamond ring stuck on her finger
With a noose she can hang from the sun
And put it out with her dark sunglasses
Walking crooked down the beach
She spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I wouldn't try
My sun-eyed girl
My sun-eyed girl
I saw her, yeah I saw her with her hands tied back
And her rags were burning
Crawling out from a land filled life
Scrawlin' her name upon the ceiling
Throw a coin in a fountain of dust
White noise, her ears are ringing
Got a ticket for a midnight hanging
Throw a bullet from a freight train leaving
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I would not try
My sun-eyed girl

i'm not kidding you these are the real lyrics, if you don't believe me read the sign

0:36



Bảo Tuấn Cao Thiên

"Girl"

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her black tongue tied
Round the roses
Fist pounding on a vending machine
Toy diamond ring stuck on her finger
With a noose she can hang from the sun
And put it out with her dark sunglasses
Walking crooked down the beach
She spits on the sand where their bones are bleaching
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I wouldn't try

Hey, my sun-eyed girl
Hey, my sun-eyed girl

I saw her, yeah I saw her with her hands tied back
And her rags were burning
Crawling out from a landfilled life
Scrawling her name upon the ceiling
Throw a coin in a fountain of dust
White noise, her ears are ringing
Got a ticket for a midnight hanging
Throw a bullet from a freight train leaving
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
She doesn't even know what's wrong
And I know I'm gonna make her die
Take her where her soul belongs
And I know I'm gonna steal her eye
Nothing that I would not try

Hey, my sun-eyed girl



All comments from YouTube:

Birdienumnum

In my opinion, beck is the most talented alternative artist to come out of the 90s. "Odelay" is a masterpiece.

Arrington 77

I couldn’t agree more!!

guiller

I 10000% agree!

Lenny Boncasa

@guiller
S

John Wallace

In my top 5 of all time….soo good

Nick Somebody369

Sublime. Beck is a close second

9 More Replies...

STAKWELL

I hate that I haven't heard of this guy. Just looking through his discography, he is very talented. Guess it is better late than never. 

Harsya Kurnia Adha

You're not the only one..... I guess Grammy really revive one's popularity, and the fact that he won over Beyonce really help

STAKWELL

Exactly my friend. Beyonce didn't need that award, she is one the most successful and influential artist in music history by simply keeping up with times and not forgetting why she is adored in the first place. The Grammies made the right choice by giving Beck the award and I know lots of people out there including myself, haven't heard the likes of him. Super creative, lots of substance, vision and incredibly infectious. Loving the music. 

Kelly Wosahla

never too late to appreciate such talent.  

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