How are you
David Byrne/Fatboy Slim/Nellie McKay Lyrics
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Every single hurt will only curse another substitution
Everyone you meet secures a wretched seat within your memory
Wipe their filthy feet upon the yearning of your soul
There you are in me
No one ever loved me not at school and home was so sadistic
I don't wanna be another fool another sad statistic
Wipe their filthy toes upon the yearning of your mind
There you are in me
Mother, mother why you tear away
Counting up the stars like any other
Brother, brother can you hear me say
Not long far, I've just gone undercover
Selfish, stupid, so self-serious
Balded geisha, I've got no money
Selfish, stupid, so delirious
Leave me 'nuff alone
Uptight, upright, long nights, furious
Darwin asked, "You Got The Money?"
Big cry, big guy, fish eye curious
Can this be my home?
Everyone you tell secures a wretched hell within your memory
Wipe their filthy smell upon the yearning of your mind
There you are in me
Mother, mother why you tear away
Counting up the stars like any other
Brother, brother can you hear me say
Not long far, I've just gone undercover
Dumbass, smartass, so self serious
What disgrace, I got no money
Well read, dope-head, so delirious
Leave me 'nuff alone
Frothin', coughin', might ridiculous
Face to face, you got the money?
Upset, inbred, white trash, glorious
Can this be my home?
Everyone you touch secures a wretched crutch within your memory
Wipe their filthy mush upon the yearning of your soul
There you are in me
The lyrics of How Are You? are quite introspective, describing the pain of being hurt and feeling unloved, and how it affects one's memory and soul. The first verse talks about how every experience will bring another sad solution and how every hurt will only replace another hurt, making life even sadder. The verses suggest that the people you meet and know also leave a mark on your memory, tainting it with their wretchedness, and to add insult to injury, they wipe their feet, toes, and smell on the yearning of one's soul and mind - which could be interpreted as the deepest desires or longings of the singer. The chorus addresses a mother and a brother, telling them how much the singer needs them and asking them to understand that he/she went undercover but is not too far away.
The second verse delves further into the singer's personal struggles, saying that nobody loved him/her at school and home was so sadistic, that he/she doesn't want to be another fool or sad statistic. Again, the people one meets and knows make a wretched glow in one's memory, but now they wipe their toes, and underlines the pain of having their touch securing a wretched crutch in one's memory. The bridge sings about how selfish, stupid, and delirious the singer has been, how he/she's got no money, and asks to be left alone. The last verse talks about someone who is uptight, upright, furious, and curious, and asks if this could be his/her home, while the people one touches leave a wretched crutch in one's memory.
Line by Line Meaning
Every single thing will only bring another sad solution
No matter what you do, there will always be another problem or issue to deal with.
Every single hurt will only curse another substitution
Each time you are hurt, it only leads to being replaced with something else that isn't always better.
Everyone you meet secures a wretched seat within your memory
Everyone you meet leaves some sort of lasting impression on you, whether good or bad.
Wipe their filthy feet upon the yearning of your soul
Don't let others' negativity get to you and bring you down.
There you are in me
You are always a part of me, even in memories.
No one ever loved me not at school and home was so sadistic
I never felt truly loved or accepted, whether it was at school or home where things were difficult.
I don't wanna be another fool another sad statistic
I don't want to fall into the trap of being another statistic or stereotype.
Everyone you know secures a wretched glow within your memory
Everyone you know leaves some sort of mark on you, even if it's not always positive.
Wipe their filthy toes upon the yearning of your mind
Don't let others' negative thoughts or opinions affect your own mentality.
Mother, mother why you tear away
Addressing the emotional pain caused by a mother figure.
Counting up the stars like any other
Reflecting on the insignificant and mundane while disregarding important emotional needs.
Brother, brother can you hear me say
Asking for emotional support from a brother figure.
Not long far, I've just gone undercover
Hiding away to avoid emotional pain.
Selfish, stupid, so self-serious
Feeling trapped by negative thoughts and feelings and unable to see beyond them.
Balded geisha, I've got no money
Feeling helpless or powerless in a situation.
Leave me 'nuff alone
Asking to be left alone to deal with one's own emotions and struggles.
Uptight, upright, long nights, furious
Feeling tense and frustrated, and struggling to find peace and release from negative emotions.
Darwin asked, "You Got The Money?"
Referencing the survival of the fittest and competition for resources or power.
Big cry, big guy, fish eye curious
Feeling vulnerable or exposed, and perhaps judged or criticized.
Can this be my home?
Questioning one's sense of belonging and whether or not a place or situation is truly where they belong.
Everyone you tell secures a wretched hell within your memory
Sharing your struggles with others can sometimes lead to negative consequences or memories.
Wipe their filthy smell upon the yearning of your mind
Don't let others' negativity or opinions affect your own thoughts or desires.
Dumbass, smartass, so self serious
Feeling trapped by negative thoughts and unable to appreciate humor or take things less seriously.
What disgrace, I got no money
Feeling ashamed or embarrassed by a lack of resources or financial stability.
Well read, dope-head, so delirious
Feeling lost and without direction or purpose in life.
Frothin', coughin', might ridiculous
Feeling overwhelmed and out of control, and perhaps even physically ill.
Face to face, you got the money?
Feeling pressured or judged by others based on one's financial status or resources.
Upset, inbred, white trash, glorious
Feeling ashamed or inferior because of one's background or upbringing.
Everyone you touch secures a wretched crutch within your memory
Every person you touch or have contact with leaves some sort of emotional weight or baggage on you.
Wipe their filthy mush upon the yearning of your soul
Don't let others' emotional baggage bring you down or interfere with your own desires and goals.
There you are in me
Others' experiences and memories of you will always be a part of who you are and how you are remembered.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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