Statuette
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton Lyrics


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With a feather in your cap
Another jewel in your crown
Another notch in your belt
You're the captain at the helm
The statuette on your shelf
Says you're better than me
Better than me
With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world

With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world

Better than me (you're better than me)
Better than me (you're better than me)
Better than me (you're better than me)

Like oil in the ocean
I couldn't keep to myself
Your father was a merchant
And i'm a salesman myself
See what we have in common
Is so easy to find
We're wound around each other
Like wires and vines
Wires and vines

Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
And we played sweet adeline
Who should you apologize to?
What is there to say?

Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
And we played sweet adeline
There's nothing more to apologize for
What is there to say?

With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world

With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world

Better than me (you're better than me, you're better than me, you're better than me)
Better than me (you're better than me, you're better than me, you're better than me)




Better than me (you're better than me, you're better than me, you're better than me)
Better than me (you're better than me, you're better than me, you're better than me)

Overall Meaning

In "Statuette," Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton use evocative imagery to convey a sense of envy and bitterness towards someone who seems to have achieved more success and admiration than the singer. The opening lines paint a picture of someone who has accomplished a lot and is proudly displaying their achievements, with "another jewel in your crown" and "another notch in your belt." The "statuette on your shelf" reinforces this image of a person who is constantly receiving accolades and recognition. The repeated refrain of "better than me" highlights the singer's feelings of inferiority and resentment towards this person.


The second verse shifts the focus to the idea that money and power can buy anything, including love and admiration. The lines "you can buy any girl in the world / with the soil that you borrow / and the moral you deny / you can buy the eyes of the world" suggest that this person has used their resources to manipulate people's perception of them. The singer feels powerless in comparison, unable to compete with the wealth and influence that the other person possesses.


The final verse suggests that the singer and the person they are comparing themselves to have some kind of shared history or connection, possibly as former lovers or colleagues. The lines "we're wound around each other / like wires and vines" convey a sense of entanglement and co-dependency, as well as a reluctance to let go of the past. The repeated refrain of "what is there to say?" suggests that the singer has reached a point of resignation or acceptance towards this person's superiority.


Line by Line Meaning

With a feather in your cap
You have achieved something noteworthy


Another jewel in your crown
Another achievement to add to your list


Another notch in your belt
Another accomplishment to your credit


You're the captain at the helm
You are in control of your life


The statuette on your shelf
A physical representation of your accomplishment


Says you're better than me
You believe yourself to be superior to others


With all the coal in the core
You have access to all the resources you need


All the water and the oil
You have an abundance of resources


You can buy any girl in the world
You can use your resources to attract anyone you desire


With the soil that you borrow
You take from others to enrich yourself


And the moral you deny
You don't care about the consequences of your actions


You can buy the eyes of the world
You can use your resources to manipulate public opinion


Like oil in the ocean
I couldn't keep my thoughts to myself


I couldn't keep to myself
I had to express my thoughts and feelings


Your father was a merchant
You come from a privileged background


And I'm a salesman myself
I also have ambition and the desire to succeed


See what we have in common
We share traits and qualities


Is so easy to find
Our similarities are obvious


We're wound around each other
Our lives and ambitions are intertwined


Like wires and vines
Our connection is both strong and fragile


Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
Our relationship is fleeting and impermanent


And we played sweet Adeline
We were together, but it wasn't meant to last


There's nothing more to apologize for
We have no more regrets or apologies to exchange


What is there to say?
There is nothing left unsaid or worth mentioning


Better than me
You believe yourself to be superior to others




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: Emily Haines

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Cam

With a feather in your cap
Another jewel in your crown
Another notch in your belt
You're the captain at the helm
The statuette on your shelf
Says you're better than me
Oh
Better than me
Oh
With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Oh
Oh
Like oil in the ocean
I couldn't keep to myself
Your father was a merchant
And I'm a salesman myself
See what we have in common
Is so easy to find
We're wound around each other
Like wires and vines
Wires and vines
Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
And we played Sweet Adeline
Who should you apologize to?
What is there to say?
Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
And we played Sweet Adeline
There's nothing more to apologize for
What is there to say?
With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Oh
Oh



All comments from YouTube:

Cory S.

Emily, we love you, keep singing!!!! brilliant song and album ,Cory

Allen r

I love this song and all you do Emily. Thank you for making this often horrid world, better.

Cam

With a feather in your cap
Another jewel in your crown
Another notch in your belt
You're the captain at the helm
The statuette on your shelf
Says you're better than me
Oh
Better than me
Oh
With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Oh
Oh
Like oil in the ocean
I couldn't keep to myself
Your father was a merchant
And I'm a salesman myself
See what we have in common
Is so easy to find
We're wound around each other
Like wires and vines
Wires and vines
Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
And we played Sweet Adeline
Who should you apologize to?
What is there to say?
Build a shrine to fast goodbyes
And we played Sweet Adeline
There's nothing more to apologize for
What is there to say?
With all the coal in the core
All the water and the oil
You can buy any girl in the world
With the soil that you borrow
And the moral you deny
You can buy the eyes of the world
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Better than me (you're better than me)
Oh
Oh
Oh

Kenny Lyda

I believe that I've listened to this everyday for a year so hypnotic

Joshua Stephens

Same

Nicolas Arias

haha me too

RottenBananaStudio

I love this, magical and floats in between happy and sad but expresses so much. So deep visually, sonically and emotionally, much love xx

Amanda Coder

Had no idea new material was released. Love it!

Kanny Sindulfo

Emily and the samba. Fantastic!!

Rachana Singh

Beautiful lyrics and sweet, soothing voice.. my favourite one. Words and voice dominate the song, have so much depth and meaning to them. Loved it ❤

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