Clap Clap Riot is a four-piece Indie Rock band based in Auckland, New Zeala… Read Full Bio ↴Clap Clap Riot is a four-piece Indie Rock band based in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2008 they won the MTV 'Kick-start your career' band competition.

The band originated in Canterbury and was originally named Band Theft Auto. The name Clap Clap Riot comes from the applause machine designed by John Lydon for the show Top Of The Pops in the early 1980s.

The band released their debut EP 'TV Knows Better' through RhythMethod in February 2009, which produced two singles - 'Thief' and 'Don't Want Your Baby'. 'TV Knows Better' was produced by Jimmy Xmas. Clap Clap Riot have completed two headline tours throughout New Zealand, toured Australia twice and performed at the Big Day Out, Rhythm and Vines and Southern Amp festivals. As part of their prize from winning the 'Kick-Start your career" competition, MTV Australia televised a live performance from Clap Clap Riot when they performed at ‘The Lair’ alongside Evermore in Sydney, April 2009.

Their long-awaited debut album 'Counting Spins' was made available on June 15, 2012 through Universal Music New Zealand. The album features the singles 'Everyone's Asleep', 'Yoko Ono', 'Moss-Haired Girl' and 'So You Say'.

Growing Up
Clap Clap Riot Lyrics

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Throwing sticks and throwing stones,
Breaking hearts and broken bones
Walking backwards, walking blind.
When growing up takes time.

The time it ticks until the end,
Crack your home and make a mend,
Glue it up and start a fresh,

It's fuckin easy.

Growing up ain't easy baby,
Growing up ain't easy baby,
Growing up, could it be so bad?
Growing up ain't easy baby.

Make mistakes and start again,
Stabbing backs and haunted friends
Throw your toys into the sand
Cracking plastic plans

So you think to yourself alone
When am I gonna be in love?
Picket fence and a turtle dove

Spit it up, kick it on your own
With your blow up lady

Overall Meaning

In "Growing Up" by Clap Clap Riot, the lyrics explore the difficulties and challenges that come with the process of growing up. The song starts with the singer reminiscing on the moments of youth where they would throw sticks and stones, and break things but eventually come to learn that this kind of destructive behavior is not worth it. In adulthood, they have the knowledge that breaking hearts and bones can have lasting negative effects. They learn that growing up takes time and that it is not an easy process.

The second verse touches on the idea that making mistakes is a part of growing up, as well as dealing with backstabbers and unfriendly people. There is also a reference to childhood toys being carelessly thrown away, which represents letting go of childish things and moving on to adulthood. The lyrics lead up to the central question of the song, when will the singer find love, a significant aspect of being a grown-up. The mention of a picket fence and turtle dove, as well as a blow-up lady, indicates that the singer is still trying to figure their love life out, and perhaps struggling with the societal expectations of marriage and family.

The chorus repeats the idea that growing up is not easy, while questioning whether it can be so bad. The singer seems to be stuck in a state of confusion, wondering if growing up and dealing with all the associated problems is all worth it. Ultimately, this song explores the difficulties and insecurities that come with trying to navigate life as an adult.

Line by Line Meaning

Throwing sticks and throwing stones,
Engaging in destructive behavior, causing physical harm.

Breaking hearts and broken bones
Hurting others emotionally and physically.

Walking backwards, walking blind.
Moving through life without direction or purpose.

When growing up takes time.
Growing up is a gradual process that requires patience.

The time it ticks until the end,
The time gradually passes until our lives come to a close.

Crack your home and make a mend,
Acknowledge and fix the problems within your home.

Glue it up and start a fresh,
Make amends and move forward with a clean slate.

It's fuckin easy.
Sarcastic statement, implying that fixing things is not easy.

Growing up ain't easy baby,
Acknowledging that the process of maturing is difficult.

Make mistakes and start again,
Making errors is inevitable, but learning from them is crucial.

Stabbing backs and haunted friends
Betrayal and distrust can cause long-lasting damage to relationships.

Throw your toys into the sand
Disposing of childish behaviors and attitudes.

Cracking plastic plans
Realizing that our perfectly crafted plans may not always work out as expected.

So you think to yourself alone
Contemplating the future without seeking advice or input from others.

When am I gonna be in love?
Wondering when you'll find romance and companionship.

Picket fence and a turtle dove
Traditional symbols of a happy, settled life with a partner.

Spit it up, kick it on your own
Rejecting societal expectations and pursuing independence.

With your blow up lady
Using humor to mock the idea of settling for an inflatable doll instead of a real partner.

Writer(s): Dave John Rowlands, Stephen Joseph Heard, Tristan Hemi Colenso, Strachan Charles Rivers

Contributed by Hunter V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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