With A Hip
Echo a The Bunnymen Lyrics
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Nobody's allowed
Strictly verboten
Out, out, out, out
Bounds
Of course we know no bounds
Until, at least, and then
Trespass all the way down
And I want some
I can handle it
And I want some
Relax
Feel the pleasure inside
Error and trial
Collide, collide
You'll listen
I don't expect you to
We've lost
And something's all we can do
With a hip-hip-hop
And a flip-flap-flop
Gonna steal some bananas
From the grocer's shop
With your head in the clouds
And your trousers undone
Gonna shit on the carpet
Just like everyone
This is the one for the money
This is the one for the trees
This is the one called Heaven
And this is the one for me
You've yet to discover
Discover the difference
The difference between
The moral and motto
They've got it
And I had some
I couldn't handle it
But I had some
Hold it in the light
And see right through it
For God's sake
Make a decision
Take it for a walk
And hold it hold it
Pin it on the wall
And fasten onto
Move into the bathroom
Oh yes, oh yes
Do what must be done
And don't say maybe
This is the one for the money
This is the one for the trees
This is the one called Heaven
And this is the one for me
The lyrics of "With A Hip" by Echo and The Bunnymen can be interpreted in a few different ways, but one main theme seems to be a rejection of societal norms and an embrace of indulgence and hedonism. The first segment of the song contains commands to "halt" and "out" those who would impose boundaries and limitations on the singer's desires. The lines "They got it, and I want some / I can handle it, and I want some" suggest a desire for something that has been attained by others, but that the singer feels they are capable of handling as well.
The second segment of the song shifts to a more surreal and free-associative tone, with references to "error and trial" and a hip-hip-hop and flip-flap-flop rhythm. The line "Gonna steal some bananas / From the grocer's shop" is a particularly bizarre and incongruous image that emphasizes the idea of embracing whim and impulse. The chorus of the song implies that the singer is searching for something transcendent and that they have tried many paths to find it ("This is the one for the money / This is the one for the trees / This is the one called heaven / And this is the one for me").
The bridge of the song contains the suggestion to "discover the difference" between the moral and the motto, which could be interpreted as a critique of those who claim to have absolute moral authority but are actually motivated by self-interest. Overall, the song seems to be urging listeners to reject conformity and embrace their desires, even if they are unconventional or frowned upon.
Line by Line Meaning
Halt
Stop, do not proceed
Nobody's allowed
No one is permitted to cross the line
Strictly verboten
Prohibited with no exceptions
Out, out, out, out
Leave immediately, repeatedly emphasized
Bounds
Limitations, but the band operates without any
Of course we know no bounds
We are not restricted by anything
Until, at least, and then
Limitations may exist in the future
Trespass all the way down
Ignoring boundaries or conventions completely
They got it
Someone else has something we desire
And I want some
We want to obtain it as well
I can handle it
I am competent to manage it
Relax
Calm yourself down
Feel the pleasure inside
Enjoy the experience internally
Error and trial
Experimentation without fear of failure
Collide, collide
Ideas or concepts smashing together
You'll listen
We don't expect you to agree or comply
I don't expect you to
We don't anticipate your cooperation
We've lost
We are defeated or outmatched
And something's all we can do
We can only attempt something, anything
With a hip-hip-hop
An exclamation of excitement
And a flip-flap-flop
Repetitive nonsense words for rhythm
Gonna steal some bananas
Intending to commit thievery
From the grocer's shop
A specific location to acquire goods
With your head in the clouds
Being unrealistic or impractical
And your trousers undone
Disregarding social norms or decency
Gonna shit on the carpet
Intending to act with disregard for others
Just like everyone
Assuming that others behave poorly too
This is the one for the money
This song has potential to be a financial success
This is the one for the trees
This song has ecological or environmental significance
This is the one called Heaven
This song represents a perfect or ideal state
And this is the one for me
This song holds personal importance
You've yet to discover
You have not yet found out
Discover the difference
Realize the distinction or contrast
The difference between
The contrast between two distinct things
The moral and motto
The ethical principles and slogans
I had some
I possessed something desireable
I couldn't handle it
I was not able to manage it successfully
Hold it in the light
Inspect it carefully
And see right through it
Discern its true nature
For God's sake
An appeal for urgent action
Make a decision
Choose between alternate options
Take it for a walk
Go through a trial phase
And hold it hold it
Retain it firmly, do not let it go
Pin it on the wall
Securely attach it somewhere prominent
And fasten onto
Hold onto tightly and not let go
Move into the bathroom
Proceed in a place of privacy or isolation
Oh yes, oh yes
An expression of excitement or enthusiasm
Do what must be done
Take necessary action regardless of difficulty
And don't say maybe
Make a firm commitment
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN STEPHEN MCCULLOCH, LESLIE PATTINSON, LESLIE THOMAS PATTINSON, PETE DE FREITAS, PETE FREITAS, WILLIAM SERGEANT, WILLIAM ALFRED SERGEANT
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