While occasionally collaborating with high-profile acts such as Nirvana and Joan Jett, Bikini Kill was well-known for shunning major labels and the mainstream rock press. After two full-length albums, several EPs and two compilations, the band disbanded in 1998.
The band reformed in 2019.
Main article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikini_kill
liar
Bikini Kill Lyrics
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Mama's got her face muffled
Twist and Shout
Your a liar
Liar liar you got your pants on fire
You profit from the lie
You prophet from the lie
You profit from the rape lie baby
Hate Blacks
Beat your fuckin wife
It's all the same thing
Deny, you live your life in denial
Stand my whole life on trial baby
Deny Deny deny deny
All we are saying is give peace a chance ha ha ha
In the song "Liar" by Bikini Kill, the lyrics paint a picture of a person who is a habitual liar and profits from it. The first few lines describe Betty with the back of her dress ripped out and her mother with her face muffled, which suggests that they may have been victims of physical assault, possibly rape, by the liar. The chorus repeats the phrase "liar liar you got your pants on fire," which was a common childhood rhyme to call someone out for being dishonest. The following lines highlight the types of lies this person tells, such as promoting racism and domestic violence, and the singer addresses the liar directly, accusing them of profiting from these lies.
The second verse continues with the theme of denial, with the singer stating that the liar "lives their life in denial" and that they (the singer) have been on trial their whole life. This could be interpreted as a broader critique of societal systems that perpetuate oppressive behavior and beliefs such as racism, misogyny, and homophobia. The song ends with a sarcastic reference to John Lennon's song "Give Peace a Chance," which suggests that without addressing the root causes of these injustices, calls for peace and harmony are superficial.
Overall, "Liar" is a scathing criticism of those who perpetuate lies, particularly harmful ones that perpetuate violence and oppression, and a call to action to confront these issues head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
Betty's got the back of her dress all ripped out
Betty's dress is torn - a metaphor for the damage caused by lies and deceit.
Mama's got her face muffled
Mama is silenced - a metaphor for the suppression of truth.
Twist and Shout
An interjection. The passion and anger behind the lyrics are reminiscent of this classic rock song, emphasizing Bikini Kill's urgency to be heard.
Your a liar
Direct accusation to the individual who has perpetuated the lie. This line is short, blunt and to the point.
Liar liar you got your pants on fire
A popular expression to denote that someone who lies will be punished. The image of someone's pants catching fire highlights the shame and humiliation that comes from being exposed as a liar.
You profit from the lie
The motive of the liar is greed - they gain something from perpetuating untruths.
You prophet from the lie
Playing on the word 'profit', Bikini Kill emphasizes the power dynamic in place when those in power - prophets - perpetuate false narratives.
You profit from the rape lie baby
An explicit example of a lie that oppresses and marginalizes survivors of sexual violence. A potent example of a false narrative that is perpetuated in order to protect the powerful.
Eat Meat
A reference to consumer culture and the inherent violence in consuming animals. Bikini Kill highlights how oppression can take different forms, wherever we choose to look.
Hate Blacks
Militarized racism and white supremacy have been used to perpetuate lies about people of color for centuries. Bikini Kill sheds light on the use of racism as a tool of oppression.
Beat your fuckin wife
Speaking out against domestic abuse and the culture of toxic masculinity that perpetuates abuse. Bikini Kill is confronting abusive language and behavior head-on.
It's all the same thing
The different forms of oppression are interconnected and stem from the same root - the abuse of power.
Deny, you live your life in denial
Those in power often deny and suppress the truth in order to maintain their privileged position. Bikini Kill urges us to confront this denial and seek the truth.
Stand my whole life on trial baby
The consequences of speaking out against power can be catastrophic. Bikini Kill is prepared to face the punishment from those in power.
Deny Deny deny deny
Repetition for emphasis. The act of denying the truth has become a defining characteristic of a corrupt, oppressive world.
All we are saying is give peace a chance ha ha ha
A nod to the pacifism movement of the 60s. Bikini Kill uses sarcasm to highlight the absurdity of the notion that peace can be achieved simply through passive protest.
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
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