It’s no secret that the landscape of Birds of Tokyo’s home of Western Australia; a desert-like state so vast and unforgiving that to provide it with a soundtrack requires a higher level of grandeur and majesty one would ever dare associate with the ‘pop’ music tag.
But, down to its bones, pop music is what Birds of Tokyo write… they just layer those bones in muscle, and give the beast a heart.
Beautifully expressive in its texture, yet thick and rich in its deceptive simplicity; Birds Of Tokyo’s music is universal and incredibly humanistic. In what could be described as the blink of an eye, the band have struck a nerve in their homeland, giving way to an unprecedented rise to popularity, but it is in their blossoming international recognition can be seen the band’s true strength and ability to connect with people.
Desperate
Birds of Tokyo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love it when you're desperate
I love it when you can't compete
I love it when you're desperate yeah yeah
You never make sense to me
Chorus:
So why do we compete for social gain?
Why do we compete for social gain?
Hey should I repeat myself again?
Love
Verse 2:
I love it when you're breathless
I love it when you can't sit still
I love it when you're breathless yeah yeah
I hate it when you pop those pills
Chorus:
So why do we compete for social gain?
Hey should I repeat myself again?
Why do we compete for social gain?
Hey should I repeat myself again?
Love
Post Chorus:
You and I both know this will rot in my face
You and I both know this will rot in my face
Verse 3:
I love it when you're desperate
I love it when you can't compete
I love it when you're desperate
You never make sense to me
Chorus:
So why do we compete for social gain?
Hey should I repeat myself again?
Why do we compete for social gain?
Hey should I repeat myself again?
Love
Post Chorus:
You and I both know this will rot in my face
You and I both know this will rot in my face
Well this will not end, this will not end well
Well this will not end, this will not enough
This will not end well
In the song "Desperate" by Birds of Tokyo, the singer is expressing his admiration for someone who is desperate and unable to compete. He finds it intriguing when someone is unable to keep up with the social norms and standards, and does not make sense to him. The chorus questions why people compete for social gain even though it does not lead to any real happiness or fulfillment. The post-chorus seems to suggest that the relationship between the singer and the person he is singing to will come to an end and will not end well.
The lyrics of this song seem to be a commentary on the societal pressures to conform and compete for approval and validation from others. The singer is praising the qualities that go against these norms and admiring those who cannot keep up with them. He suggests that the competition for social gain is pointless and will ultimately lead to unpleasant consequences. The repetition of the post-chorus highlights the inevitability of the end of the relationship and reinforces the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I love it when you're desperate
I find it appealing when you're feeling hopeless or in despair.
I love it when you can't compete
I am attracted to you when you're unable to match up to others.
I love it when you're desperate yeah yeah
Your vulnerability draws me closer to you.
You never make sense to me
I don't understand your motives or reasoning behind your actions.
So why do we compete for social gain?
What's the point of competing with each other just for social status?
Hey should I repeat myself again?
Is it necessary for me to say it again?
Love
A feeling of strong affection and attachment towards someone or something.
I love it when you're breathless
I find it intriguing when you're out of breath.
I love it when you can't sit still
I'm attracted to you when you're restless and unable to keep calm.
I love it when you're breathless yeah yeah
I find your distress captivating.
I hate it when you pop those pills
I don't approve of you taking medication to alter your state of mind.
You and I both know this will rot in my face
We both know that this situation will end badly for me.
Well this will not end, this will not end well
This situation will not have a positive outcome.
This will not end well
This situation is likely to result in an unfavorable manner.
Contributed by Stella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.