What's He Got?
Coxon Graham Lyrics

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Saw you on the corner by the cash machine
You made the cutest couple that I ever did see
You're hugging and you're kissing and I'm hearing what you're saying
Brit and your juncture's not the place for me
Brit and your juncture's not the place for me

what's he got that I haven't got?
Where's he been that I've never seen?

I can't bear to see you walking hand in hand
He's kinda cool but I don't understand
What in the world has he got?
I guess he's just better looking than me

Got a brown leather jacket on ad bright blue jeans
Wears a pair of black Beatle boots just like me
He's got a lot of hair on his face and his head
So why'd I get my haircut so short instead?
So why'd I get my haircut so short instead

what's he got that I haven't got?
Where's he been that I've never seen?
I can't bear to see you walking hand in hand
He's kinda cute but I don't understand
What in the world has he got?
I guess he's just better looking than me

what's he got that I haven't got?
Where's he been that I've never seen?
I can't bear to see you walking hand in hand
He's kinda cool but I don't understand
What in the world has he got?
I guess he's just better looking than me

what's he got that I haven't got?
Where's he been that I've never seen?
I can't stand to see you walking hand in hand
He's really cool but I don't understand

What in the world has he got?
I guess he's just better looking than me

Overall Meaning

The song "What's He Got?" by Coxon Graham portrays the jealousy and self-doubt of the singer who is observing his ex-girlfriend with her new partner in public. The opening lines of the song describe the singer seeing the couple on the corner by the cash machine and how cute they look together. As they hug and kiss each other, the singer overhears their conversation and realizes that he doesn't belong in their world anymore. The phrase "Brit and your juncture's not the place for me" indicates that the singer feels out of place and disconnected from the couple's culture and lifestyle.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "what's he got that I haven't got?" several times which reflects the self-doubt and insecurity of the singer. He wonders what special qualities his rival possesses that he lacks or where he's been that he hasn't, and how he can compete with this new guy. The singer finds the new guy handsome and charming, but he can't understand what makes him so special.

The second verse of the song describes how the new guy's appearance is strikingly similar to the singer, which creates confusion and further self-doubt. The singer questions his recent decision to get a short haircut instead of letting his hair grow like the new guy. In conclusion, the song expresses the common feeling of insecurity and jealousy that can occur after a breakup, and how hard it can be to see your ex with somebody else.

Line by Line Meaning

Saw you on the corner by the cash machine
I happened to see you on the street while you were using an ATM

You made the cutest couple that I ever did see
You and your partner looked adorable together

You're hugging and you're kissing and I'm hearing what you're saying
I could observe you showing affection towards each other and even hear your sweet words

Brit and your juncture's not the place for me
I don't feel comfortable in your company with your British partner

what's he got that I haven't got?
What characteristic or quality does he possess that I lack?

Where's he been that I've never seen?
What places and experiences has he had that I haven't?

I can't bear to see you walking hand in hand
It hurts me to witness you two holding hands and being together

He's kinda cool but I don't understand
He seems interesting, but I don't see what's so special about him

What in the world has he got?
What does he possess that makes him desirable?

I guess he's just better looking than me
I'm assuming he's more attractive than I am

Got a brown leather jacket on ad bright blue jeans
He's wearing a specific outfit with a brown leather jacket and blue jeans

Wears a pair of black Beatle boots just like me
He's wearing the same type of boots as me, known as Beatle boots because they were popularized by the band in the 60s

He's got a lot of hair on his face and his head
He has a significant amount of hair on both his head and facial hair

So why'd I get my haircut so short instead?
Why did I choose to cut my hair so short when he has a lot of hair?

He's kinda cute but I don't understand
He looks attractive, but I don't see what's so special about him

I can't stand to see you walking hand in hand
I really dislike seeing you two being intimate and together

He's really cool but I don't understand
He seems interesting, but I still don't see what makes him desirable

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GRAHAM COXON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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