Fashion Awards
Eels Lyrics


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Let's go down to the fashion show
With all the pretty people that you don't know
We'll sit down in the velvet chairs
They'll hand awards out for best hair
And if we don't win one, well, then
We'll blow off our heads in despair
We'll blow off our heads in despair
I smell magic in the room
Flashing lights and sonic booms
Lovely saps all without a care
Nobody said that the world was fair
And if they did say so, well, then
We'll blow off our heads in despair
We'll blow off our heads in despair

Let's go down to the fashion show
With all the pretty people and piles of blow
We'll sit down in the velvet chairs
And hang on tight to our bus fare
And if it falls between the seats




We'll blow off our heads in despair
We'll blow off our heads in despair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Fashion Awards" by Eels provide a sardonic take on the superficiality of the fashion industry and the culture of celebrity worship that surrounds it. The opening line invites the listener to join the singer in a visit to a fashion show, a gathering of beautiful people who are strangers to us. The use of the word "pretty" conveys the idea that physical appearance is the primary criterion for evaluating individuals in this world. The awards ceremony that follows is trivialized when the only category mentioned is "best hair," suggesting that even such honors are arbitrary and insignificant.


The second verse continues the critique, with the singer perceiving "magic" in the air, but not genuine wonder or awe. The sensory overload produced by flashing lights and loud music only serves to make the attendees more numb to the emptiness of their surroundings. The label "lovely saps" characterizes the fashion show's attendees as foolish pawns in a game they cannot win. The final lines of both verses bring a darkly comedic note with the image of the singer threatening self-harm if they do not win a prize. This exaggeration highlights the absurdity of the situation and the desperate need for validation felt by those who participate in such shows.


Line by Line Meaning

Let's go down to the fashion show
Let's attend a fashion awards ceremony.


With all the pretty people that you don't know
There will be a lot of attractive people attending whom you are unacquainted with.


We'll sit down in the velvet chairs
We will take a seat in the plush seats provided for us.


They'll hand awards out for best hair
The awards ceremony will be presenting an award for the best hairstyle.


And if we don't win one, well, then
If we do not receive an award, then...


We'll blow off our heads in despair
We will be utterly devastated and disappointed.


I smell magic in the room
I sense an air of wonder and excitement in the ambiance.


Flashing lights and sonic booms
The stage will be flashing with bright lights and loud music will be playing.


Lovely saps all without a care
The beautiful people attending the ceremony seem to not have any worries at all.


Nobody said that the world was fair
It is a realization that life can be unjust and biased.


And if they did say so, well, then
Even if someone promised fairness, and then...


We'll blow off our heads in despair
We will still be very upset about not receiving an award.


Let's go down to the fashion show
Let's attend a fashion awards ceremony.


With all the pretty people and piles of blow
There will be many gorgeous people and a lot of cocaine.


We'll sit down in the velvet chairs
We will take a seat in the comfortable chairs provided.


And hang on tight to our bus fare
We will hold on to our transportation money tightly.


And if it falls between the seats
But if we do drop it somewhere in our seats, and then...


We'll blow off our heads in despair
We will still feel very sad and disappointed about losing our money.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK O. EVERETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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