Elliphant was born in Stockholm, Sweden. At a young age she was introduced to travelling by her grandma, who took her to India at the age of 16. Following her journey to India, she decided to begin travelling the world. She stated in an interview that she had again spent time in India and also Burma.Her travelling allowed her to spend a summer travelling across the UK. She was heavily influenced by the urban sound when in London. One her return to Stockholm, she is said to have developed skills as an MC.
Her career began with the release of her debut single Tekkno Scene in 2012. The track featured Adam Kanyama, and was positively received. The music video for the song was uploaded on Elliphant's YouTube Channel in April 2014. Following the release of the song, it went onto feature on the award winning soccer video game, FIFA 13. Following the release of the song, it was likened by some to have a similar feel to a M.I.A. track.
Following the release of her first single, Elliphant released the track Down on Life, with the Official Music Video featuring in December 2012 on Pitchfork's YouTube channel. The music video went onto secure over 1 million views on the channel. The success of the song was recognised by many, with Katy Perry tweeting that it was "of the most bad ass music videos I've seen in a long time".
Pitchfork said the song showed off "a faint smidge of softness", when compared to her first two singles, Tekkno Scene and Ciant Hear it. During the same article, it was announced that she would be releasing her first EP, which would be self-titled. It was also stated that she shared the same management and production as Icona Pop and Niki and the Dove. Collectively they have been said to be a shift towards Swedish Electro Pop.
In January 2013, she released her first EP, which was titled Elliphant. The debut EP featured four sings and a remix, including her the tracks Ciant Hear It and Down on Life. The remaining tracks were two new songs, Make it Juicy and In the Jungle, with the EP's fifth track coming in the form of a remix of the In the Jungle track. The two new tracks were positively received on Elliphant's YouTube channel.
Following the release of her first EP, she featured in a short interview with Idolator, stating she was signed by Dr. Luke's label and that her upcoming Swedish album would be called A Good Idea. In the summer of 2013, Elliphant stated that she had worked in the studio with Skrillex in Stockholm. During the same interview, she also stated that one of the main reasons she worked with Diplo, was because of the track Down on Life.
In July 2013, Elliphant released a music video for the track, Music is Life. The song would go on to feature on her debut album. On 9 October 2013, she released her debut album in her native Sweden, titled A Good Idea.[17] The album featured a number of artists and producers, including Niki & the Dove. A Good Idea also featured the hit Down on Life, which had appeared on her debut EP. The album also featured the track, More Fire. In early 2014, the track had received recognition as it was the first collaboration between herself and fellow Swedish artist, Niki & The Dove.
Everybody
Elliphant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody is a bad boy now
Everybody wanna shine
Everybody drink your champagne now
Everybody is the shit
Everybody is the big thing now
Everybody is the boss
Everybody rocking gold chains now
Ain't nobody wanna work?
Ain't nobody wanna open up?
Ain't nobody wanna give?
Ain't nobody wanna wrap shit up?
Ain't nobody wanna fail?
Ain't nobody doing real these days?
Ain't nobody being true?
Ain't nobody ever go my way?
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Everybody wanna bite
Everybody want to pick a bone
Everybody gotta eat
Everybody think they are their own
Everybody can not win
Everybody want it fresh and fast
Everybody wanna fuck
Everybody think that time gon' last
Ain't nobody wanna pay?
Ain't nobody wanna clean shit up?
Ain't nobody built the base?
Ain't nobody reach the goddamn top?
Ain't nobody looking here?
Ain't nobody gonna leave this shit?
Ain't nobody wanna say?
Ain't nobody really know a thing?
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
I'll be sippin' lemon-lime
Got diamonds on my neck and wrist, hold me
I'll be really tryna chill
Tryna roll a little dope and just smoke it
In and out of deals
I ain't fucking with tha industry
All these bitches wanna steal
All these rappers wanna sleep on me
But I peel off in that Benzo
I'm shinin' when that camera click, nigga
Was poppin' with that shit today
Is you really, really finna trick, nigga
Cause you know I'm major overseas
And I'm way too hot for TV
Flock and clock like a seed
They better all tryna beat me!
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
To not be just not anybody
Everybody be somebody
Oh-oh, eh eh eh, oh-oh
To not be just not anybody
Everybody be somebody
Oh-oh, eh eh eh, oh-oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh (Everybody got a nine)
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh (Everybody wanna shine)
Woah oh oh oh (Everybody is the shit)
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh (Everybody is the boss)
Ain't nobody wanna work?
Ain't nobody wanna give?
Ain't nobody wanna fail?
Ain't nobody being true?
Woah oh oh oh
Elliphant's song "Everybody" speaks to the societal pressure of success and the lengths people go to achieve it, specifically in regards to material possessions and status. The opening lines convey the idea that everybody is trying to be someone they're not, with the mention of "a nine" referring to a gun, symbolizing the tough persona many people adopt. The following lines illustrate the desire for success, but the emphasis on ego and image is conveyed through the mention of "being the shit" and "rocking gold chains." The chorus reinforces the idea that everyone wants to be somebody, but the societal pressure to be successful leads them to adopt a persona that isn't necessarily true to themselves.
The second verse continues with the aforementioned ideas, with the line "ain't nobody wanna give" possibly referencing the lack of generosity and selflessness in the pursuit of success. The line "ain't nobody doing real these days" speaks to the idea that authenticity and honesty are undervalued in today's society, further emphasized by the repetition of "ain't nobody being true." The final verse sees Elliphant adopting the tough persona depicted earlier, with mentions of diamonds, dope, and a Benz. However, the line "I ain't fucking with tha industry" could be seen as a rejection of the false image many people in the industry adopt. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the pressure to be somebody, with the final lines questioning whether anyone is doing what's truly right.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody got a nine
Everyone has a problem or difficult situation in their life
Everybody is a bad boy now
Everyone wants to be seen as tough and cool
Everybody wanna shine
Everyone wants to be successful and stand out
Everybody drink your champagne now
Everyone is enjoying the good things in life
Everybody is the shit
Everyone thinks they are amazing and unbeatable
Everybody is the big thing now
Everyone is the talk of the town or in the limelight
Everybody is the boss
Everyone wants to be in charge and have power
Everybody rocking gold chains now
Everyone is showing off their wealth and success
Ain't nobody wanna work?
No one wants to put in the effort or do the hard work
Ain't nobody wanna open up?
No one wants to be vulnerable or share their true feelings
Ain't nobody wanna give?
No one wants to be generous or help others
Ain't nobody wanna wrap shit up?
No one wants to take responsibility or finish what they started
Ain't nobody wanna fail?
No one wants to experience failure or setbacks
Ain't nobody doing real these days?
No one is being authentic or genuine anymore
Ain't nobody being true?
No one is being honest or truthful
Ain't nobody ever go my way?
No one understands or supports me
Everybody wanna bite
Everyone is trying to take what they can and get ahead
Everybody want to pick a bone
Everyone is looking for something to nitpick or complain about
Everybody gotta eat
Everyone has to take care of themselves and their own needs
Everybody think they are their own
Everyone is focused on themselves and their own success
Everybody can not win
Not everyone can be successful or come out on top
Everybody want it fresh and fast
Everyone wants things to happen quickly and easily
Everybody wanna fuck
Everyone wants to have sex or be sexually desirable
Everybody think that time gon' last
Everyone thinks they have all the time in the world and can afford to waste it
Ain't nobody wanna pay?
No one wants to spend money or pay their dues
Ain't nobody wanna clean shit up?
No one wants to take care of the messy or unpleasant parts of life
Ain't nobody built the base?
No one wants to put in the foundational work or start from scratch
Ain't nobody reach the goddamn top?
No one has achieved true success or reached their highest potential
Ain't nobody looking here?
No one is paying attention or noticing what's happening
Ain't nobody gonna leave this shit?
No one wants to get out of a bad situation or leave their comfort zone
Ain't nobody wanna say?
No one wants to speak up or voice their opinion
Ain't nobody really know a thing?
No one really has all the answers or understands everything
I'll be sippin' lemon-lime
I'll be relaxing and drinking something sweet and refreshing
Got diamonds on my neck and wrist, hold me
I have a lot of wealth and status, which I use to my advantage
I'll be really tryna chill
I'm trying to stay calm and relaxed despite the chaos around me
Tryna roll a little dope and just smoke it
I'm trying to find some escape or relief through drug use
In and out of deals
I'm constantly making business transactions and signing contracts
I ain't fucking with tha industry
I don't trust or want to work with the mainstream music industry
All these bitches wanna steal
Other female artists are trying to copy my style or take credit for my work
All these rappers wanna sleep on me
Other rappers underestimate me or don't take me seriously
But I peel off in that Benzo
But I drive away in my expensive car and show that I'm successful
I'm shinin' when that camera click, nigga
I look great and successful in photos or on camera
Was poppin' with that shit today
What's going on or what's the latest news?
Is you really, really finna trick, nigga
Are you really going to try and deceive me or play me?
Cause you know I'm major overseas
Because you know I have a lot of success and popularity in other countries
And I'm way too hot for TV
And I'm too edgy or controversial for mainstream television
Flock and clock like a seed
Move quickly and effectively like a flock of birds or a clock ticking
They better all tryna beat me!
They better all work hard and do their best to compete with me
To not be just not anybody
To stand out and be unique instead of blending in with the crowd
Everybody be somebody
Everyone has the potential to be someone or achieve something great
Oh-oh, eh eh eh, oh-oh
Common chant or refrain in the song
Writer(s): Lukasz Gottwald, Ellinor Salome Miranda Olovsdotter, Theron Makiel Thomas, Henry Russell Walter, Azealia Amanda Banks
Contributed by Adam J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ranjitdhadhal169
Everybody got a nine
Everybody is a bad boy now
Everybody wanna shine
Everybody drink your champagne now
Everybody is the shit
Everybody is the big thing now
Everybody is the boss
Everybody rocking gold chains now
[Verse 2: Elliphant]
Ain’t nobody wanna work?
Ain’t nobody wanna open up?
Ain’t nobody wanna give?
Ain’t nobody wanna wrap shit up?
Ain’t nobody wanna fail?
Ain’t nobody doing real these days?
Ain’t nobody being true?
Ain’t nobody ever go my way?
[Chorus: Elliphant]
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Verse 3: Elliphant]
Everybody wanna bite
Everybody want to pick a bone
Everybody gotta eat
Everybody think they are their own
Everybody can not win
Everybody want it fresh and fast
Everybody wanna fuck
Everybody think that time gon' last
[Verse 4: Elliphant]
Ain’t nobody wanna pay?
Ain’t nobody wanna clean shit up?
Ain’t nobody built the base?
Ain’t nobody reach the goddamn top?
Ain’t nobody looking here?
Ain’t nobody gonna leave this shit?
Ain’t nobody wanna say?
Ain’t nobody really know a thing?
[Chorus: Elliphant]
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
[Verse 5: Azealia Banks]
I'll be sippin' lemon-lime
Got diamonds on my neck and wrist, hold me
I'll be really tryna chill
Tryna roll a little dope and just smoke it
In and out of deals
I ain't fucking with tha industry
All these bitches wanna steal
All these rappers wanna sleep on me
But I peel off in that Benzo
I'm shinin' when that camera click, nigga
Was poppin' with that shit today
Is you really, really finna trick, nigga
Cause you know I'm major overseas
And I'm way too hot for TV
Verse flock and clock like a seed
They better all tryna beat me!
[Chorus: Elliphant]
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
[Bridge: Elliphant]
To not be just not anybody
Everybody be somebody
Oh-oh, eh eh eh, oh-oh
To not be just not anybody
Everybody be somebody
Oh-oh, eh eh eh, oh-oh
[Outro: Elliphant]
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
Woah oh oh oh (Everybody got a nine)
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh (Everybody wanna shine)
Woah oh oh oh (Everybody is the shit)
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh (Everybody is the boss)
Ain’t nobody wanna work?
Ain’t nobody wanna give?
Ain’t nobody wanna fail?
Ain’t nobody being true?
Woah oh oh oh
@betaomega8724
Heard in the "Spy who dumped me" GREAT SONG :)
@ly_lia_na8959
ME TOO HHHH
@ArwenAmidalaGrey
Emma Thompson slaying in that glittery pantsuit.
@dumitrescusorana1907
EXACTLY!! 😭
@star12bitch13
“The Spy Who Dumped Me” Brought me here 🤙🏾
@lunaticdelrey5263
Who else feel really HAPPY listening to this song :)
@Monster-cv3pz
Me ;)
@doomsday8871
reminds me of M.I.A paper planes
@lunaticdelrey5263
@@doomsday8871 she’s from my country!! Love her so much
@yawwilliamssalifu4677
loving this from Ghana