On 26 September 2006, Haines released the album Knives Don't Have Your Back on Last Gang Records. The album was written and recorded in Los Angeles, Montreal, Toronto, and New York over the previous four years, and features contributors including Sparklehorse's Scott Minor, Broken Social Scene's Justin Peroff, Stars' Evan Cranley, and Metric's Jimmy Shaw.
Though it took Haines four years to complete the album, the singer says she'd been plotting this for years. "When I was a little kid," she said in a statement, "I would creep downstairs to the piano and write rudimentary songs about imaginary places. I'm told the first song I ever wrote was a love song to a cranberry tree. I always used the mute pedal. I hated the idea of anybody hearing me.
"Everywhere I've lived while working with Metric, I've written songs on the piano and played them for no one," she continued. "On the advice of a friend, I decided I'd better start recording them before they were forgotten."
Among those songs are a track that was written while Haines was studying electroacoustics in Montreal while some were recorded in Toronto, Canada in the winter of 2002, shortly after the death of Haines' father.
Official site: http://www.emilyhaines.com
The Lottery
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Since bras started burning up ribs in the 60's.
Favors are flying, faces are falling,
All I desire is to never be waiting.
If that's a crime let's commit it.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
When our underwire radio tears into their international airwaves
Boredom will Die! Ears will Bleed!
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it
While we're waiting on the next day, to begin it in the best way.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it.
Don't worry, Heather, about forever.
Don't worry about me.
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
Will we always be like little kids
Running group to group asking who loves me?
Don't know who loves me!
It's pathetic. It's impossible.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos trying to run.
The lyrics of Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton's song The Lottery unpack the desire for something greater in life, a desire shared by everyone. It starts with the acknowledgment that, since the feminist burning of bras in the 60s, everyone has wanted the same things- to be loved, respected and appreciated. However, as society evolves, desires evolve too, and the focus today is on a "new crime," sexual suicide. The singer uses the word "suicide" as a metaphor to signify that being sexually liberated comes at a great cost. In a very real sense, it feels like you are committing social suicide because such liberation goes against every norm; that's why it's seen as a new crime.
The song's constant reference to the lottery is an indication that life brings uncertainty, and in a way, it is all a game of chance. The singer emphasizes that everyone has to roll the dice, and the outcomes may differ, but the desire for something better stays the same. The irony is that while everyone is waiting for the perfect day to begin their lives, the song suggests that it is time to be bold and commit the new crime. The line "While we're waiting on the next day to begin it in the best way" encapsulates our tendency to put things off until they are perfect. The song's conclusion reminds the listener not to worry about the future, but to focus on the present.
Line by Line Meaning
I only wanted what everyone wanted
I wanted the same things as everyone else.
Since bras started burning up ribs in the 60's.
Since the feminist movement started, changing traditional gender role expectations.
Favors are flying, faces are falling,
People are gaining and losing power rapidly.
All I desire is to never be waiting.
I want to be in control and never have to wait for others.
If that's a crime let's commit it.
I am willing to do what it takes to achieve my desires.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
People are participating in dangerous, self-destructive sexual acts.
When our underwire radio tears into their international airwaves
When our messages of empowerment and rebellion are broadcasted worldwide.
Boredom will Die! Ears will Bleed!
Our message will be so powerful and exciting that it will eliminate boredom and shock listeners.
All they desire is to give and to please.
Others only care about serving others and pleasing them.
While we're waiting on the next day, to begin it in the best way.
We need to prepare to seize the next day and make the most of it.
Don't worry, Heather, about forever.
Don't worry about the future, live in the present.
Don't worry about me.
Don't worry about my wellbeing or safety.
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
Life is unpredictable, we must take risks and see what happens.
Will we always be like little kids
Will we always be insecure and seek validation from others?
Running group to group asking who loves me?
Seeking reassurance and validation from others about one's worth and value.
Don't know who loves me!
Feeling unsure about the authenticity and depth of others' love and affection.
It's pathetic. It's impossible.
This behavior is sad and unattainable.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like women wearing impractical and uncomfortable shoes.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like women wearing impractical and uncomfortable shoes.
Like girls in stilettos trying to run.
Trying to achieve something while handicapped or restricted by societal expectations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERNIE PARADA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@7heavenlyvirtues
always one of my favorite songs
@buddyholly4672
Gasp! I lost this CD! But now its online! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
@livyswampy8456
"Will we always be? Like little kids? Going group to group? Asking who loves me? Dont know who loves me, its pathetic its impossible..... like girls in stilettos trying to run... " 3
@nicolasarias3305
brilliant
@cachiruleta
Fucking love this song
@michelletrevizoponce9109
I only wanted what everyone wanted
Since bras started burning up ribs in the 60's.
Favors are flying, faces are falling,
All I desire is to never be waiting.
If that's a crime let's commit it.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
When our underwire radio tears into their international airwaves
Boredom will Die! Ears will Bleed!
All they desire is to give and to please.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it
While we're waiting on the next day, to begin it in the best way.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it.
Don't worry, Heather, about forever.
Don't worry about me.
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
Will we always be like little kids
Running group to group asking who loves me?
Don't know who loves me!
It's pathetic. It's impossible.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos trying to run
@psithurismmillhouse9229
SHE WONT ALLOW HER DUE BE RECOGNIZED AS AN ARTIST SHE IS ROBBING HER SOUL HEART AND WORTH SHARE IT DONT BE SELFISH COCKY ABOUT WHAT IS YOU SHARE 2 THE GRANDKIDS MAKE YOUR VOICE OUTERSPARE BE HUMAN SHY IS SIMPLE SHY IS SAD MAKE IT IN ANY FORM DUST 2 DUST ASHES 2 ASHES ANY FORM THERE IS A SMALLOUTPUT FOR BEING AROUND 10 000 50 000 1 MILL FROM NOW DO IT GIRL PUSIWILO WE GOT THIS SHIT.
@jikaikas
wat
@kbs1212
Quoi
@thekeelyjean
I only wanted what everyone wanted
Since bras started burning up ribs in the 60's.
Favors are flying, faces are falling,
All I desire is to never be waiting.
If that's a crime let's commit it.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
When our underwire radio tears into their international airwaves
Boredom will Die! Ears will Bleed!
All they desire is to give and to please.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it
While we're waiting on the next day, to begin it in the best way.
There's a new crime, sexual suicide.
There's a new crime, let's commit it.
Don't worry, Heather, about forever.
Don't worry about me.
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
It's a lottery baby, everybody roll the dice
Will we always be like little kids
Running group to group asking who loves me?
Don't know who loves me!
It's pathetic. It's impossible.
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos,
Like girls in stilettos trying to run.