Produced by Paul Savage (Franz Ferdinand, Brakes, Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub),… Read Full Bio ↴Produced by Paul Savage (Franz Ferdinand, Brakes, Mogwai, Teenage Fanclub), the Edinburgh-born band are already recipients of the 'Best Breakthrough Act' at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards and are nominated for 'Scottish Album of the Year'. Having headlined the BBC Introducing stage at T in the Park last year, recorded a session for Huw Stephens and supported The Vaccines and Little Comets, they are now slated for a raft of festivals, with sets lined up at Latitude, The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City and T in the Park, among others. They've attracted support from Radio 1 (Introducing), 6Music, NME, Artrocker, and The Sun.

Civil War
Bwani Junction Lyrics

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I'll be back in a few
A catchy little phrase i use on you
I don't mean to be rude but who's that funny man why's he act so cute?
Make small talk in the hall
I guess i've got a temper after all
She licks those sherbet lips and i say
Let me out of here
Lady

On the floor
You say boy what are you waiting for
Lovers spent on a civil war
I don't know what i've been waiting for
I can't help myself
Walking home i start on something else
Don't you pull on that thread
I'll say something i wish i'd never had said
I'll find reasons to greet
Until she's screaming from the window and i'm out in the street
Are you testing me
Oh no
I'm just saying
Lady
On the floor
You say boy what are you waitng for
Lovers spent on a civil war
I don't know what i've been waiting for
Lady
On the floor
You say boy what are you waiting for
Lovers spent on a civil war
I don't know what i've been waiting for
Now i don't want a settled score
I want to feel the way i did before her

With a word my faith restored
I don't know what i've been waiting for

Overall Meaning

The song "Civil War" by Bwani Junction is open to interpretation as the lyrics do not make it clear what the writer intends to communicate. The verses are a stream of consciousness, loosely tied together by the chorus. It appears to be about a guy who's feeling trapped in a social gathering or party, looking for a way out, but stuck in small talk, possibly with a girl he's into. He feels his temper rising and feels the need to escape. As the night progresses, it becomes clear that the girl he's interested in is playing hard to get, and he is frustrated with his inability to get to her. The chorus talks about the war of emotions quickly escalating between the singer and his love interest, symbolizing their struggle to connect. It's unclear if the singer is looking to start something romantically or if he's just tired of playing games.

One take on the song's meaning could be about emotional tension during courtship. The singer is drawn to a girl, but she's playing coy or hard to get, denying him the chance to act on his feelings openly. He's trapped in a cycle of endless small talk, and he's getting increasingly agitated. The phrase "lovers spent on a civil war" could signify that the singer and the girl are going back and forth, battling emotions that are challenging to conquer. The lyrics could be interpreted as a call for an end to the emotional play games, and for the two of them to open up and be transparent.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll be back in a few
I will return shortly.

A catchy little phrase I use on you
A memorable expression that I use when leaving.

I don't mean to be rude but who's that funny man why's he act so cute?
An innocent question about someone’s amusing behavior.

Make small talk in the hall
Engage in light conversation.

I guess I've got a temper after all
I realize that I can get agitated at times.

She licks those sherbet lips and I say
I notice her attractive physical features and comment on them.

Let me out of here
Expressing a desire to leave a situation or place.

Lady, On the floor, You say boy what are you waiting for
A directive from a woman to take action in a romantic context.

Lovers spent on a civil war
The artist views a past relationship as a battle between lovers.

I don't know what I've been waiting for
The artist is uncertain about why they have delayed taking action.

I can't help myself
The singer feels an uncontrollable urge to act in a certain way.

Walking home I start on something else
The artist is distracted by other thoughts or activities.

Don't you pull on that thread, I'll say something I wish I'd never had said
A warning not to pursue a certain line of conversation.

I'll find reasons to greet, until she's screaming from the window and I'm out in the street
A determination to pursue a romantic interest, regardless of their reaction.

Are you testing me
A question about whether someone is trying to provoke a reaction.

Oh no, I'm just saying
An innocent response to a question or statement.

Now I don't want a settled score
The artist does not desire revenge or payback.

I want to feel the way I did before her
The singer longs for the positive emotions they experienced in a past relationship.

With a word my faith restored
A single word has the power to make the singer hopeful again.

I don't know what I've been waiting for
The artist is unsure about their own motivations and hesitations.

Writer(s): Fairweather

Contributed by Jordan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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