Bang Bang Bang
Eilen Jewell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't believe he's got an arrow and bow
People all think he just couldn't be cuter
But I saw him down at the gun show
He appeared to be about two years of age
A really freaky thing to see
He was bragging about his sawed-off six gauge
I asked him if the gun had a sight
How can you hit your mark that way
Little cupid, he just laughed outright
He said I don't take aim I just bang bang bang
I don't take aim I just bang bang bang
He fired off a few hot rounds
Right into the sorry crowd
No blood, no gore, no one hit the ground
They all just fell in love
With whoever they happened to be around
It's funny, till it happens to you
But be sure you stay well out of his way
Love is careless, random and cruel
He don't take aim he just ---
He don't take aim he just bang bang bang
He don't take aim he just bang bang bang
He don't take aim he just bang. Bang. Bang
Eilen Jewell's "Bang Bang Bang" examines the unpredictable and indiscriminate nature of love by using the metaphor of Cupid as a violent shooter. The song's first two verses describe the mythical figure as a child-like shooter, who flaunts his "sawed-off six gauge" and brags about not needing a sight to hit his targets. These lines suggest that love, like Cupid's weapon, is often wielded haphazardly and can cause damage without intention.
The third verse finds Cupid firing into a crowd and no one getting hurt. Rather, those hit by his "shot" merely fall in love with the nearest person. This stanza heightens the randomness and unpredictability of love, as the targets of Cupid's gun are not pre-selected or necessarily compatible.
Overall, the song argues that love is not always cute or harmless, but can instead be dangerous and arbitrary. Cupid, as a symbol of the uncontrollable nature of love, just "bang, bang, bang[s]".
Line by Line Meaning
That little cupid, he's a real sharp shooter
The singer describes cupid as a trained and skillful shooter
I don't believe he's got an arrow and bow
The singer believes that cupid uses a gun instead of traditional arrows and bow
People all think he just couldn't be cuter
Despite his deadly skills, people find cupid attractive and cute
But I saw him down at the gun show
The artist witnessed cupid showcasing his weapons at a gun show
He appeared to be about two years of age
Despite being incredibly skilled, cupid appears to be extremely young and unusual
A really freaky thing to see
The singer finds cupid's appearance and behavior unusual and unsettling
He was bragging about his sawed-off six gauge
Cupid boasted about his powerful shotgun, which he had altered illegally to make it shorter
Hidden right up his tattered sleeve
Cupid keeps his gun concealed in his ragged clothing
I asked him if the gun had a sight
The artist questioned cupid about the accuracy of his weapon
How can you hit your mark that way
The artist is skeptical about Cupid's ability to hit his target without aiming
Little cupid, he just laughed outright
Cupid found the singer's question amusing and laughed loudly
He said I don't take aim I just bang bang bang
Cupid reveals that he relies on his quick reflexes and firepower instead of precise aim
He fired off a few hot rounds
Cupid fired his gun and shot several rounds in quick succession
Right into the sorry crowd
The crowd, who were presumably not prepared for Cupid's gun show, were shocked and sorry as they heard the shots
No blood, no gore, no one hit the ground
Cupid's shots do not cause any physical harm, but instead cause a sudden feeling of love to erupt within the crowd
They all just fell in love
Cupid's shots cause everyone to fall in love with someone nearby
With whoever they happened to be around
The love triggered by Cupid's shots is random and not based on any specific attraction
It's funny, till it happens to you
The singer suggests that Cupid's actions are entertaining until you become a victim of his love shots
But be sure you stay well out of his way
The singer advises others to avoid Cupid and his guns for their own safety
Love is careless, random and cruel
The artist describes love as unpredictable and sometimes cruel
He don't take aim he just ---
The artist repeats Cupid's earlier statement, emphasizing that he does not aim his gun
He don't take aim he just bang bang bang
The artist repeats Cupid's statement once more for emphasis
He don't take aim he just bang. Bang. Bang
The song ends with a final repetition of Cupid's statement, which highlights his dangerous and unpredictable nature
Contributed by Ethan H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mouldytone
That`s a great song! Beautifully performed and wonderfully recorded. Thanks! Tony
FORTBAXTER1
Excellent!!! Just heard track "Queen of the minor key" too via Eilen's website. It seems more rockabilly, less country this time.
KustomKulture1107187
Just heard this song on the TV and had to see who was singing it, love the beat.
Katri Denmont
My Mum went to a concert of Eilen and i had never heard of them, and because my Mum lyked them my reaction is there not that good, but then i heard warning signs and now i LOVE them!!!
Otavio Dornelas
Adorei, I love. muito chique
John Hutchins
What a great little song!
screamingcockatoo
Freaking awesome.
Player 2
i wish that song was longer.
David Evans
I like it like this....makes you keep wanting more. No filler. No BS. Clever, funny, true and all wrapped up in a toe tappin' sorta jazzy tune and beat.
Rob Sheehan
Just listen to it 5 or 6 times.