Violent Youth
Crystal Castles (III) Lyrics


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Show up in your lace
Drink up little girl
And they will always let you down
Hold your mother’s pearl

Show up in your lace
Up to your cheekbones
Prevention is the only cure
Kiss them through windows
Throw up in your plate

Look angelical
If you sleep before I arrive
I’ll pray for you my girl




A flower on fire
And I will always let you down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Violent Youth" by Crystal Castles seem to be alluding to the struggles of adolescence, particularly the pressures that young women face. The opening lines of "show up in your lace / drink up, little girl" suggests a reckless, partying lifestyle that young women might be drawn to in order to feel like they fit in or stand out. However, the following lines "and they will always let you down / hold your mother's pearl" suggests that this lifestyle is ultimately unfulfilling and that the true sources of comfort and strength lie in familial traditions and connections.


As the song progresses, the lyrics become more dark and abstract, with lines like "throw up in your plate / look angelical" juxtaposing images of bodily functions with ideals of purity and beauty. The lyric "if you sleep before I arrive / I'll pray for you my girl / a flower on fire" seems to suggest a deep sense of loss or longing, as if the singer is watching this young woman from afar and wishing they could offer her more support, but ultimately feeling powerless.


Overall, "Violent Youth" seems to capture the complexity of growing up as a young woman, the push-pull between wanting to fit in and feeling like an outsider, and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can seem overwhelming.


Line by Line Meaning

Show up in your lace
Appear in your delicate clothing


Drink up little girl
Consume alcohol, young girl


And they will always let you down
Others will inevitably disappoint you


Hold your mother’s pearl
Protect your valuable possessions


Up to your cheekbones
Wearing makeup heavily


Prevention is the only cure
Taking measures in advance is the best solution


Kiss them through windows
Expressing love through barriers


Throw up in your plate
Vomit on your dish or meal


Look angelical
Appear innocent and pure


If you sleep before I arrive
In case you fall asleep before my arrival


I’ll pray for you my girl
I will communicate with God for your wellbeing


A flower on fire
A beautiful entity with dangerous potential


And I will always let you down
I, too, will inevitable disappoint you




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALICE GLASS, ETHAN KATH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@ethanadkins6467

3:10

When I fell
Broken and foolish
I'm running from what you can't see

Nothing has me here
To be a reminding of her
Slipping and foolish
I drift away to nightmares

Slowly shining
I see a lining mirage
Words slither nightfall
I'm running from/my demons they wont let me



All comments from YouTube:

@rachelfourie9083

Everyone talks about feeling sad or strange, but I feel strangely bittersweet and comforted by this.

@camojacktindale675

It’s about abuse

@emil3458

@@camojacktindale675 im not talking about the lyrics, this song melody makes me euphoric.

@direktormusorki666

@@emil3458 same

@shatteredrib2696

I say "i wanna cry" 💔🌹🔫

@shatteredrib2696

@@emil3458 a mi igual

1 More Replies...

@LeRoiSoleilLuv

this whole album makes me feel like i'm sixteen again. every song reminds me of my life back then

@flaviamendes4075

yes, bro

@allie4182

8 years ago
how are you feeling

@creaturescraps_2232

@@allie4182 I'm still on a trip since then lol

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