Whistle
Brisa Roché Lyrics


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Eighteen coming like thunder
Platinum bangs and you under
Driving high on the Cliffside
Black rocks bared by the low-tide

Vapor-girl
The hissing car
Barely veils
Your fleet of stars

Palm on kerosene lantern
You, curled soft as a kitten
Hitch-hike over the passes
You, queen of cutting classes

Vapor-girl
The hissing car
Barely veils
Your fleet of stars

Crossing north to the island
Your ringed fingers in my hand
Puppet-strings over Coltrane
At the twins in the grey rain

Vapor-girl
The hissing car
Vapor-girl
The hissing car




Barely veils
Your fleet of stars

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brisa Roché's song "Whistle" are open to interpretation, but they seem to paint a picture of a young, rebellious couple living life to the fullest. The song starts off describing the singer, 18 years old and full of energy, with platinum hair and a lover under her spell. The two of them are driving on a dangerous cliffside road, high on life and adrenaline, with black rocks deep below them.


The girl is described as a "vapor-girl", ethereal and fleeting, like a wisp of smoke. The car they are driving in is hissing, a sound that suggests power and danger. The girl's "fleet of stars" is barely veiled, perhaps referring to her untapped potential or her bright future.


The second verse paints a more intimate portrait of the girl. She is curled up like a kitten, with a palm resting on a kerosene lantern. She has cut classes and hitchhiked over mountain passes, defying authority and living life on her own terms. This rebellious spirit is something she shares with her lover, who takes her hand and leads her through life.


The final verse brings the couple to an island, holding hands in the rain and enjoying the music of Coltrane. The "twins in the grey rain" could be any number of things - two trees, two buildings, two people - and their significance is left up to interpretation. The girl is once again described as a vapor-girl, but this time the hissing car fades away, leaving nothing but the sound of the whistle.


Overall, the lyrics of "Whistle" suggest a youthful, rebellious spirit, ready to take on the world and all the dangers it holds. The girl is constantly compared to smoke and stars, ephemeral but brilliant, and her love affair with her partner is intense and passionate.


Line by Line Meaning

Eighteen coming like thunder
Turning 18 and transitioning into adulthood can be a sudden and impactful event


Platinum bangs and you under
Referring to a hairstyle, which may represent her rebellious or edgy personality, she has you under her spell


Driving high on the Cliffside
Driving along a treacherous cliff road, feeling exhilarated and possibly reckless


Black rocks bared by the low-tide
The ocean's tide has receded, exposing the rocks and creating a beautiful yet eerie landscape


Vapor-girl
Suggestive of a young woman who is elusive, mysterious, and hard to grasp


The hissing car
The sound of the car's engine hisses as it rides along


Barely veils
The car's engine noises are almost enough to mask the sounds of her dreams and aspirations


Your fleet of stars
A metaphor for her innermost desires and hopes, which are almost visible in the night sky


Palm on kerosene lantern
Using the lantern to see and guide, while at the same time being comforted by its warmth


You, curled soft as a kitten
Relaxing and content, like a kitten in a cozy spot


Hitch-hike over the passes
Traveling with little more than a backpack, a strong will, and an open mind


You, queen of cutting classes
Rebelling against social norms by not conforming to traditional education or schedules


Crossing north to the island
Moving towards a distant and idyllic location


Your ringed fingers in my hand
Holding her partner's hand, while being conscious of the love and trust invested in this relationship


Puppet-strings over Coltrane
Mastering the art of playing jazz and paying homage to John Coltrane


At the twins in the grey rain
Watching two buildings or structures in a rainstorm, suggesting a longing for something or someone who is unreachable




Contributed by Henry B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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