Jacqueline
Franz Ferdinand Lyrics
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When Ivor peered above a spectacle
Forgot that he had wrecked a girl
Sometimes these eyes forget the face they're peering from
When the face they peer upon
Well, you know that face as I do
And how in the return of the gaze
She can return you the face that you are staring from
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
Gregor was down again, said, "Come on, kick me again"
Said, "I'm so drunk, I don't mind if you kill me
Come on, you gutless
Yeah, I'm alive, oh, I'm alive
Oh, I'm alive and how I know it
Oh, but for chips and for freedom, I could die"
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we, we need the money
The song "Jacqueline" by Franz Ferdinand tells the story of three characters and their desire to escape the routine of everyday life. The first character introduced is Jacqueline, a 17-year-old girl working on a desk. Ivor, the second character mentioned, seems to be infatuated with Jacqueline but forgets that he had previously hurt her. The lyrics describe how sometimes the eyes can forget the face they are peering from, but Jacqueline can return Ivor's gaze and return his own face to him.
The song's chorus emphasizes the theme of escapism, with the lyrics "It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday, that's why we only work when we need the money." This suggests that the characters only work to fund their getaways and that they find their everyday lives unfulfilling. The third character, Gregor, seems to share this attitude, saying "Come on, you gutless, yeah, I'm alive, oh, I'm alive, oh, I'm alive and how I know it. Oh, but for chips and for freedom, I could die." Here, Gregor is saying that he only feels truly alive when he is free from the constraints of everyday life and able to enjoy simple pleasures like chips.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of dissatisfaction with the monotony of everyday life and a longing for escape and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Jacqueline was seventeen, working on a desk
The story starts with a girl named Jacqueline who is working on a desk at the age of seventeen.
When Ivor peered above a spectacle
Ivor noticed Jacqueline while peering above his glasses.
Forgot that he had wrecked a girl
He forgot about a girl he had previously wronged.
Sometimes these eyes forget the face they're peering from
Sometimes people forget their own identity when they are looking at others.
When the face they peer upon
When the face they are looking at belongs to someone they know.
Well, you know that face as I do
The singer and audience are familiar with the face Ivor is peering at.
And how in the return of the gaze
When Jacqueline looks back, she sees Ivor staring at her.
She can return you the face that you are staring from
Jacqueline can make Ivor recognize his own identity by looking back at him.
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
Going on vacation is always better than staying home.
That's why we only work when we need the money
People only work for money so they can afford to go on vacation.
Gregor was down again, said, "Come on, kick me again"
Another character named Gregor is mentioned and he is asking to be kicked again while down.
Said, "I'm so drunk, I don't mind if you kill me
He is intoxicated and does not care if he dies from the kick.
Come on, you gutless
He is calling out to whoever kicked him as cowardly.
Yeah, I'm alive, oh, I'm alive
Gregor is still alive after being kicked.
Oh, I'm alive and how I know it
He is aware of his existence and grateful to have survived.
Oh, but for chips and for freedom, I could die
He is saying he could die happily if he could have some chips and freedom.
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the idea that vacations are better than working.
That's why we only work when we need the money
The repetition of this line reinforces that people only work for money to fund their vacations.
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
Repeat of the first line of the chorus.
That's why we only work when we, we need the money
The repetition of the final line concludes the song's central message - people only work to fund their vacations because vacations are better.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley, Nicholas John Mccarthy, Paul Robert Thompson, Robert Hardy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind