Hamster Baby
Bikini Kill Lyrics

The lyrics to Bikini Kill's song "Hamster Baby" seem simple enough, but upon closer inspection, they reveal a complex interplay between power, control, and sexism. The opening lines of the song feature a repeated "hello," which could be interpreted as a sort of assertive greeting, signalling their presence and importance. This is followed by the repeated question of where the next show will be, which is only answered after several repetitions - in Honolulu. This quick back-and-forth is another way of asserting control and foregrounding their agenda.

However, things quickly become more complicated. When the question is posed whether the audience gets to go to the show for free, the answer initially seems to be a resounding yes - but then comes the twist, "But not with you" - aimed, presumably, at the gatekeepers who would try to control access to the music. When a name is mentioned in the lyrics - Everett True - it seems to represent a figure who embodies the stereotypes and obstacles the band members are pushing back against. The final lines of the song, where the band members ask who will help them with their practical needs - from putting in a tape deck to buying a van - could be interpreted as a cry for support and solidarity, an acknowledgment that even with their fierce spirit, they need allies to succeed.

Overall, "Hamster Baby" is a song about the many ways in which the act of making music can be influenced and impeded by external forces. Whether it's the struggle for access to venues, the efforts of those in power to dictate the terms of the relationship between the performers and the audience, or the need for material resources to keep a band going, Bikini Kill's lyrics signal a resistance to all of these challenges and a determination to keep making music on their own terms.