Thurston Hearts the Who
Bikini Kill Lyrics

The lyrics to Bikini Kill's song "Thurston Hearts the Who" seem to tackle the issue of the pressure to be seen as "cool" in the eyes of those who are considered to be "cool" themselves. The song starts off by questioning the meaning of being "cool" if Sonic Youth, a well-respected band in the underground music scene, thinks you're cool. And then it goes on to suggest that if you think Sonic Youth is cool but they don't think you're that cool, does that mean everything to you? It's a commentary on the way we measure our own self-worth by the opinions of others, especially those who are regarded as trendsetters or influencers.

The chorus of the song repeats the line "Thurston hearts the who" several times, referring to Thurston Moore, the guitarist and co-founder of Sonic Youth. It's unclear whether this line is meant to be taken literally (as in, Thurston Moore is a fan of The Who, a legendary British rock band), or if it's a metaphor for something else. Either way, the fact that the song is named after him suggests that Thurston Moore was someone who had a lot of influence in the music scene at the time and perhaps symbolizes the kind of person who has the power to dictate what is considered cool or desirable.

The last verse of the song takes place at 5 am after the band has stayed out all night, seemingly with nothing better to do than to talk about the same topic - Thurston Moore and The Who. This repetition reinforces the idea that there is a lot of importance placed on being accepted and approved of by those who have a lot of cultural capital, even if it means sacrificing individuality or authenticity.