Christine Lavin (b. January 2, 1952) is a New York City-based singer, songw… Read Full Bio ↴Christine Lavin (b. January 2, 1952) is a New York City-based singer, songwriter, and promoter of contemporary folk music. She has recorded numerous solo albums, and has also recorded with other female folk artists under the name Four Bitchin' Babes. She has also put together several compilation albums of contemporary folk artists, including On a Winter's Night.

She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy. Two of her more famous songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys" and "Bald Headed Men".

Trade Up
Christine Lavin Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm talking to you at this literary party
a decaf cappuccino in my hand
you are puffing on a thick cigar
is it a Monte Cristo or contraband?

I'm expounding on the state of the art
as you take another puff
but your eyes dart here

and your eyes dart there
as you're trying to trade up

There's gotta be someone more important than me
that you could be talking to here
someone who knows someone who knows someone
who knows someone who could bolster your career

I know the body language
I see the signs
your eyes give it away
and so do your lines
you nod and say 'uh-huh' from time to time
as you're trying to trade up

An hour later someone new is talking to me
he thinks I know something that I probably don't
pumping me for some unlisted number
will I divulge it? No, I won't

He's expounding on the state of the world
I'm sipping wine from a paper cup
but my eyes dart here
and my eyes dart there
'cause I'm trying to trade up

There's gotta be someone more important than you
that I could be talking to here
someone who knows someone who knows someone
who knows someone who could bolster my career

Look at my body language
I'm flashing signs
my eyes have glazed over
I'm ignoring your lines
but I sip and say 'uh huh'
from time to time
as I'm trying to trade up
(I'm sorry)
I'm trying to trade up

Looking at both sides of this equation
either way it's an awkward situation
everybody's climbing
trying not to be rude
though some say they're just here for the free food

choppedliverchickensataysteameddumplingsspanikopidaskipperedherringgarlicpepperssouvalaki
mangochutneyblackenedcatfishempanadasfritomistosnapperhashtiramisuguacamole

I'm in the elevator leaving the party
a half dozen macaroons in my purse
as these things go
It was OK
I've been to better
I've been to worse

Out on the street an old man is begging
I stuff a single dollar into his tin cup
he rolls his eyes
grabs the bill and he sighs
he's still trying to trade up
God bless him
he's still trying to trade up

There will always be someone more important than me
that you could be talking to here
someone who knows someone who knows someone
who knows someone who could bolster your career

Look at the body language
study the signs
stare into their eyes
read between every line
if they nod and say 'uh huh'
one too many times
they're trying to trade up

I said look at the body language
study the signs
stare into their eyes
read between every line
if they nod and say 'uh-huh'
one too many times
they're trying to trade up
'uh huh'
they're trying to trade up

'uh-huh'
we're all trying to trade up

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Christine Lavin's song "Trade Up" depict a common yet uncomfortable phenomenon of people trying to network at parties, events, or in any social setting. The singer addresses a person puffing on a thick cigar, who is trying to "trade up" by finding someone more important than the singer to talk to. The singer sees through the other person's body language and understands that they want to find someone who could bolster their career. Both of them are trying to impress each other, and the situation becomes uncomfortable, with some nodding and "uh-huh" here and there. In a subsequent interaction, the singer becomes the one who is sought after for their connections and knowledge, but they, too, want to "trade up."

The song is a commentary on the nature of human interaction - people are always trying to improve or advance their social standing by finding connections, and it can get exhausting and disingenuous at times. The lyrics show that while the characters are interacting with each other, they are already looking for someone more important to talk to or network with. The image of the old man begging for money at the end of the song serves as a poignant reminder that everyone wants something more, and no one is ever truly satisfied.

Fact 1. "Trade Up" is a satirical folk song by Christine Lavin, released in 1997. It is from her album "Moment of Luxury."
Fact 2. Christine Lavin is an American singer-songwriter who has released over 20 studio albums and won multiple awards for her work.
Fact 3. "Trade Up" was inspired by Lavin's experience at a literary gathering where she saw people networking and trying to impress each other.
Fact 4. The song pokes fun at the pretentiousness and social climbing that can happen in social settings, particularly in the entertainment industry.
Fact 5. The lyrics have a catchy chorus that repeats "look at the body language, study the signs, stare into their eyes, read between every line" to emphasize the theme of people trying to impress or deceive each other.
Fact 6. The song has been covered by other artists, including Cheryl Wheeler and The Kennedys.
Fact 7. Lavin often uses humor and satire in her music to comment on social issues or everyday life experiences.
Fact 8. Lavin has been credited with influencing a new wave of humorous and satirical female songwriters, including Tracy Chapman, Ani DiFranco, and the Indigo Girls.
Fact 9. Some of Lavin's other notable songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys," "The Kind of Love You Never Recover From," and "Air Conditioner."
Fact 10. Lavin is also an artist, and her artwork has been featured on several of her album covers.

Chords:
Unfortunately, the chords for "Trade Up" are not available as the artist has not released them publicly.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm talking to you at this literary party
I am having a conversation with you at a gathering of people who share an interest in literature

a decaf cappuccino in my hand
I am holding a decaffeinated cappuccino

you are puffing on a thick cigar
You are smoking a thick cigar

is it a Monte Cristo or contraband?
I am questioning whether your cigar is a legal and legitimate Monte Cristo brand or an illegal product

I'm expounding on the state of the art
I am discussing the current status or condition of something, likely related to literature or art

as you take another puff
You are smoking your cigar again

but your eyes dart here
However, your eyes frequently move quickly from one place to another

and your eyes dart there
Your eyes are rapidly shifting around the area

as you're trying to trade up
You are attempting to improve your social or professional status by associating with someone more influential or important than me

There's gotta be someone more important than me
There must be a person who is considered to have a higher social, professional or influential standing than I do

that you could be talking to here
That you could choose to converse with at this event

someone who knows someone who knows someone
A person who is connected to another influential person through a chain of acquaintances

who knows someone who could bolster your career
A person who has the potential to advance your professional development or success

I know the body language
I am aware of the nonverbal communication displayed through gestures, postures, and expressions

I see the signs
I can identify the indications and indications of your behavioral patterns

your eyes give it away
Your eye movements and expressions reveal your intentions or interests

and so do your lines
Your words or statements also reveal your desire to trade up and speak to someone more important

you nod and say 'uh-huh' from time to time
You make noises of agreement or affirmation at sporadic intervals

An hour later someone new is talking to me
A different person is in conversation with me sixty minutes later

he thinks I know something that I probably don't
He erroneously believes I possess information or insight I do not actually have

pumping me for some unlisted number
He is asking me repeatedly for a phone number or contact details that I do not wish to divulge.

will I divulge it? No, I won't
I refuse to provide him with the requested information

He's expounding on the state of the world
He is elaborating at length about the current global situation or condition

I'm sipping wine from a paper cup
I am drinking wine contained in a paper receptacle

my eyes dart here
My eyes are moving quickly around the room

and my eyes dart there
My gaze is flitting rapidly in different locations

'cause I'm trying to trade up
I'm attempting to elevate my perceived value by conversing with someone who is deemed more influential or important than this individual

Look at my body language
Observe the nonverbal signals that I am emitting

I'm flashing signs
I am involuntarily sending nonverbal cues or signals that suggest my eagerness to leave this conversation in favor of speaking with someone more important.

my eyes have glazed over
My eyes have become dull and expressionless, indicating boredom or disinterest.

I'm ignoring your lines
I am not paying attention to your comments or statements.

but I sip and say 'uh-huh' from time to time
I pretend to listen and engage in conversation by occasionally taking sips of my drink and offering halfhearted expressions of agreement

Looking at both sides of this equation
Considering both perspectives or opinions in this situation

either way it's an awkward situation
Regardless of one's point of view, this is an uncomfortable or inconvenient scenario

everybody's climbing
Everyone is striving to elevate their social or professional status

trying not to be rude
Attempting to avoid impoliteness or offense while doing so

though some say they're just here for the free food
Although some individuals claim that they only attend this event for the complimentary food that is served.

chopped liver, chicken satay, steamed dumplings, spanikopida, skippered herring, garlic peppers, souvlaki, mango chutney, blackened catfish, empanadas, frito mistos, snapper hash, tiramisu, guacamole
List of various foods served at the gathering, spanning multiple cuisines and cultural backgrounds.

I'm in the elevator leaving the party
I am currently in the process of departing from the event via the elevator

a half dozen macaroons in my purse
I have six macaroons placed within my purse

as these things go
Considering the typical experience of attending such gatherings

It was OK
The event was satisfactory, though not particularly remarkable

I've been to better
I have participated in events of a higher quality or satisfaction

I've been to worse
Similarly, I have experienced events that were of inferior quality or displeasure.

Out on the street an old man is begging
Once I have exited the building, there is an elderly gentleman asking for money nearby.

I stuff a single dollar into his tin cup
I insert a one-dollar bill into the container in which he is collecting money

he rolls his eyes
The beggar quickly moves his eyes in a circular motion, often taken as an indication of annoyance, impatience or uninterest

grabs the bill and he sighs
He takes the bill and releases a deep breath to express disappointment or frustration

he's still trying to trade up
Similar to those who engaged in conversation with me earlier, this person is also seeking to increase his perceived value or status

God bless him
A commonly used phrase to express sympathy, admiration, or approval of another person, particularly in situations which are challenging.

There will always be someone more important than me
I acknowledge that there will be other individuals who have superior social or professional standing than my own

that you could be talking to here
People who might hold more value or influence than I do, whom you may choose to converse with or interact with.

study the signs
Intently examine the nonverbal signals a person is exuding, to determine their true intentions or thoughts

stare into their eyes
Gaze directly into the person's eyes to attempt to catch any subtle cues or signals they may be emitting

read between every line
Analyze the intention, meaning or subtext behind each thing that is spoken or done

if they nod and say 'uh-huh' one too many times
When the person employs repetitive affirmative/confirmatory motions or sounds that suggest they are growing disinterested or seeking to change conversation partners.

they're trying to trade up
The person in question is seeking to improve their perceived status within the social or professional environment.

'uh-huh'
An interjection commonly used to express agreement, confirmation, or understanding of a piece of information or statement.

we're all trying to trade up
We all aspire to increase our perceived value or social standing, and do so by demonstrating our value through conversation or association with those who we feel can support those aspirations.

Contributed by Emma J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS