R.I.P
Bikini Kill Lyrics
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in just one single song
i cant put how i feel in a package
and sell it back to everyone
but wait
theres another boy genius whose fucking gone
i know theres lots of rad queer boys up there
i hope evertime they talk to you
they know they're lucky to be your friend
cuz look
theres another boy genius whose fucking gone
and i wouldnt be so fucking mad so fucking
pissed off if it wasnt so fucking wrong
its all so fucking wrong
its not fair - its not fair - its not fair
but no one said life was easy
yeah but no one said - no one said
nothings supposed to happen right?
no, no one told me anything
to prepare me for fucking this
theres another boy genius whose fucking gone
dont tell me it font matter
dont tell me ive had three days to get over it
it wont go away
it just wont go away
The song R.I.P. by Bikini Kill serves as a tribute to a departed friend, likely someone who passed away recently. The song starts with a very powerful statement - that despite the singer's best efforts, she cannot convey the depth and complexity of her feelings in just a single song. And this is understandable, as grief cannot be packaged and sold. It is something that needs to be experienced to be understood fully. The second paragraph of the song takes on a more hopeful tone as it expresses the hope that the food tastes better in heaven, and reminisces about all the queer boys the departed friend may be able to meet up there. The singer also hopes that these boys know how lucky they are to be friends with the deceased.
But as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her friend. There is anger and disbelief in the lines, "there's another boy genius whose fucking gone, and I wouldn't be so fucking mad, so fucking pissed off if it wasn't so fucking wrong. It's all so fucking wrong". The repetition of the phrase "it's not fair" underscores the feeling of injustice that the singer is grappling with. The final lines of the song, "don't tell me it don't matter, don't tell me I've had three days to get over it, it won't go away, it just won't go away" are a cry of anguish and despair. It is clear that the singer is still very much in the grip of her grief, and might be for some time to come.
Line by Line Meaning
i cant say everything about it
I cannot describe everything about the situation that I am in
in just one single song
A single song is not enough to express my emotions regarding this situation
i cant put how i feel in a package
There is no way to simplify my emotions and put them in a manageable package
and sell it back to everyone
Selling an oversimplified version of my emotions back to others would be insincere and inappropriate
but wait
However, there is something else that needs addressing
theres another boy genius whose fucking gone
There is another unique and talented individual who has passed away
i hope the food tasts better in heaven
I hope that the afterlife is a better place for those who have passed
i know theres lots of rad queer boys up there
I believe that there are many amazing LGBTQ individuals who have passed on and are in a better place
i hope evertime they talk to you
I hope that they communicate with the person who has passed on
they know they're lucky to be your friend
Those who were friends with the person who passed on should understand how lucky they were to have known them
cuz look
The situation I am referring to is also present in another instance
theres another boy genius whose fucking gone
Another talented and unique individual has passed away
and i wouldnt be so fucking mad so fucking
I would not be so angry and upset
pissed off if it wasnt so fucking wrong
If the situation was not so unfair and unjust
its all so fucking wrong
The situation and the loss of these individuals is deeply unjust and unfair
its not fair - its not fair - its not fair
The unfairness and injustice of this situation cannot be overstated
but no one said life was easy
It is a well-known fact that life is not easy
yeah but no one said - no one said
However, no one ever prepared me
nothings supposed to happen right?
It is not supposed to be that way, is it?
no, no one told me anything
No one gave me any warning or guidance regarding this type of situation
to prepare me for fucking this
To prepare me for this overwhelming experience and emotion
theres another boy genius whose fucking gone
Again, another unique and special individual has passed away
dont tell me it font matter
I do not want to hear anyone say that it does not matter
dont tell me ive had three days to get over it
I do not want to hear anyone suggest that I should be over this loss by now
it wont go away
The pain and emotions related to this loss will not simply disappear
it just wont go away
The ongoing emotions and experience of this loss will not subside easily
Contributed by Harper N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.