Up & Down
GIRLi Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a fat giraffe who likes pea soup
I'll never be as cool as you
You only think I'm funny
'Cause you're high as fuck on mushrooms
I'm the best thing you've ever seen
A karaoke teenage dream
My hair looks great and I'm a queen
You wanna grow up just like me

I'm a scaredy cat, a drowned rat
My life is going pretty bad
I think about the future way too much
And yes it drives me mad
I'm a Basquiat, a Patti Smith
I'm Venus with her perfect tits
Today's the best day, I'm the shit
I'm never getting over it

I don't wanna lose my mind
So I'll just pretend I'm fine

I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been lots of ways, who am I today?
I get up, I get down
I get up
And I get down

I got belly rolls and spots on tap
Can't skate a ramp, can't write a rap
Get dumped every couple months
Hate love, I can't get over that
I'm the best catch in the big blue sea
You'll wanna fry me up, eat me
The hottest girl you'll ever see
The only girl you'll ever need

My world is, my world is on fire
I can't go to sleep but I'm tired
Too much ammunition to fire
The world is, the world is on fire

I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been lots of ways, who am I today?
I get up, I get down
I get up
And I get down
(Oh-oh)
(I get up, I get down, I get up)

My world is, my world is on fire
I can't go to sleep but I'm tired
Too much ammunition to fire
The world is, the world is on fire
My world is, my world is on fire
I can't go to sleep but I'm tired
Too much ammunition to fire
The world is, the world is on fire

I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been lots of ways, who am I today
I get up, I get down
I get up

I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been up and down, kinda up and down
I get up, I get down




I get up
And I get down

Overall Meaning

In "Up & Down," GIRLi candidly describes her insecurity as well as eventual acceptance of who she is despite her perceived imperfections. She opens up the song by describing herself as a "fat giraffe who likes pea soup" and acknowledges that she "will never be as cool" as the person she is currently singing to. Throughout the song, she refutes her insecurities and asserts herself as confident and a "queen." GIRLi notes that she thinks too much about the future and is afraid but compares herself to Basquiat and Patti Smith who were renowned artists who didn't conform to societal norms. She is aware that she is not perfect, but that doesn't deter her from proclaiming that she is the "best catch in the big blue sea...the hottest girl you'll ever see." Lastly, she acknowledges the state of the world and the chaos that ensues but chooses to remain positive and focused on improving herself.


The metaphor of the giraffe is a recurring theme throughout GIRLi's music


GIRLi suffers from anxiety and was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome


The music video for "Up & Down" is a compilation of footage from other GIRLi videos and concerts.


She moved to London when she was 16


GIRLi released her first EP, called "Not That Girl," in 2015


GIRLi was signed to PMR Records, the same label as Disclosure and Jessie Ware.


In 2018, she released her first full-length album, "Odd One Out"


GIRLi has cited Lorde and Marina and the Diamonds as influences.


The song was co-written by Eden XO and Gavriel Rafael Aminov


"Up & Down" was featured in the Netflix series "Insatiable"


Chords: G Am C D (Verse) / D Am C G (Chorus) / G D Am C (Bridge)


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a fat giraffe who likes pea soup
I may not fit in with the norm, but I have my own likes and dislikes.


I'll never be as cool as you
I don't try to be something I'm not, and that's okay.


You only think I'm funny 'Cause you're high as fuck on mushrooms
You may only find me entertaining due to outside influences, and that's fine with me.


I'm the best thing you've ever seen A karaoke teenage dream My hair looks great and I'm a queen You wanna grow up just like me
I may have my insecurities, but I also know my worth and am confident in myself.


I'm a scaredy cat, a drowned rat My life is going pretty bad I think about the future way too much And yes it drives me mad
I struggle with anxiety about what's to come, but I know it's important to keep moving forward despite the fear.


I'm a Basquiat, a Patti Smith I'm Venus with her perfect tits Today's the best day, I'm the shit I'm never getting over it
I can recognize my own talent and value, and today is a great day to celebrate that.


I don't wanna lose my mind So I'll just pretend I'm fine
Even if things get tough, sometimes it's easier to put on a brave face and keep going.


I get up, I get down You should like it if you want me around Ask me how have I been? I've been lots of ways, who am I today?
I'm not just one thing, and I recognize that I have good days and bad days - but I hope you'll like me for all of it.


I got belly rolls and spots on tap Can't skate a ramp, can't write a rap Get dumped every couple months Hate love, I can't get over that
I have my own flaws, but I know I'm still deserving of love even if it doesn't always work out.


I'm the best catch in the big blue sea You'll wanna fry me up, eat me The hottest girl you'll ever see The only girl you'll ever need
I have confidence in myself and know that I have a lot to offer to the right person.


My world is, my world is on fire I can't go to sleep but I'm tired Too much ammunition to fire The world is, the world is on fire
The world can be a chaotic and overwhelming place, and it's hard to keep up with everything that's going on.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Amelia Toomey, Frederik Thaee, Ryan Spraker, Tom Peyton

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

@knlima2351

Lyrics <3

I'm a fat giraffe who likes pea soup
I'll never be as cool as you
You only think I'm funny
'Cause you're high as fuck on mushrooms
I'm the best thing you've ever seen
A karaoke teenage dream
My hair looks great and I'm a queen
You wanna grow up just like me
I'm a scaredy cat, a drowned rat
My life is going pretty bad
I think about the future way too much
And yes it drives me mad
I'm a Basquiat, a Patti Smith
I'm Venus with her perfect tits
Today's the best day, I'm the shit
I'm never getting over it
I don't wanna lose my mind
So I'll just pretend I'm fine
I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been lots of ways, who am I today?
I get up, I get down
I get up
And I get down
I got belly rolls and spots on tap
Can't skate a ramp, can't write a rap
Get dumped every couple months
Hate love, I can't get over that
I'm the best catch in the big blue sea
You'll wanna fry me up, eat me
The hottest girl you'll ever see
The only girl you'll ever need
My world is, my world is on fire
I can't go to sleep but I'm tired
Too much ammunition to fire
The world is, the world is on fire
I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been lots of ways, who am I today?
I get up, I get down
I get up
And I get down
(Oh-oh...)
(I get up, I get down, I get up)
My world is, my world is on fire
I can't go to sleep but I'm tired
Too much ammunition to fire
The world is, the world is on fire
My world is, my world is on fire
I can't go to sleep but I'm tired
Too much ammunition to fire
The world is, the world is on fire
I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been lots of ways, who am I today
I get up, I get down
I get up
I get up, I get down
You should like it if you want me around
Ask me how have I been?
I've been up and down, kinda up and down
I get up, I get down
I get up
And I get down.



All comments from YouTube:

@sian5552

A music video that talks about the day to day struggles of mental health? YES PLEASE. (Also one of my favs from the album so that’s a plus✨)

@sian5552

Dealing with the rough days as well as the good days and having to cope with that unpredictability :)

@girlimusic

this means a lot thanks so much! I wanted to convey exactly that <3

@ProGrow_

also best artist (objectively)

@Loulien1

I follow you for about 1,5year and I see your big progress... I'm so impressed and I'm very proud of how much you have developed as an artist in a very short period. Love!

@girlimusic

thankyou so much!

@Loulien1

@GIRLI <3

@bee7514

I remember the first time I heard this song and I just felt it so much. The lights were off in my bedroom and I just started crying. I hadn't cried for so long and it was so good to hear someone say (or sing) the words I'd been feeling. I love. Thank you

@girlimusic

i'm so glad you had a good cry to Up & Down sending my love!!!!

@dyatelka

This is just incredible! I listen to the album on repeat and this is one of my favorite songs.
Thank you for your songs

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