Although originally consisting of a total of 3 cassettes, the most common version of the Girly Sound tapes that circulated among Phair's fans was an incomplete 2 disc compilation of songs from all 3 tapes released on the "Bliss and Phetish" bootleg label. An earlier bootleg compilation of Girly Sound material, "Secretly Timid", was also released. Early in 2006, mp3s of first generation copies of the first 2 tapes were introduced via Phair's online community, bringing to light the original track listing, correct song names, and album titles and more importantly introducing a number of songs that did not appear on the previous Girly Sound bootlegs. The third Girly Sound tape and information of its complete contents remains elusive.
White Babies
Girlysound Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is hunting around overseas
My black market white baby dealer
Brings back clean, fresh white babies to me
He brings back
Oh my God, he brings back
He brings back clean, fresh, white expensive babies
My smile is dime a dozen
My lips are cherry red
My eyes are blue like the sky is blue
I got good shoulders under my head
I look like your mother
I look like your great-aunt
Sit me down in your family photo
And everyone tells me that I, I look just like you
(I changed this verse for you)
My black market white baby dealer
Is hunting around overseas
My black market white baby dealer
Brings back clean, fresh white babies to me
Clean, fresh white babies to me
Clean, fresh white babies to me
The lyrics of "White Babies" by Girlysound seem to be exploring the idea of adopting white babies through illegal means. The singer refers to her "black market white baby dealer" who is hunting overseas to bring back "clean, fresh white expensive babies". These lyrics may be interpreted in different ways, but they seem to be criticizing the commodification of babies and the idea that some people can just buy children as if they are products.
The phrases "clean" and "fresh" used to describe the babies suggest that the singer sees the babies as nothing more than objects that she can possess. The part where she talks about looking like the person's mother or great-aunt may also suggest that she is trying to fit into a certain type of family or social group. The overall tone of the lyrics is somewhat ironic and critical, as the singer is describing something that is clearly wrong and unethical but is doing so in a matter-of-fact way.
Overall, "White Babies" by Girlysound is a thought-provoking song that challenges listeners to think about the ethics of adoption and the commodification of children. The lyrics suggest that love and care cannot be bought with money and that the idea of buying babies is deeply unethical.
Line by Line Meaning
My black market white baby dealer
The person who acquires expensive white babies for me is illegal and operates outside the law
Is hunting around overseas
My baby dealer illegally searches for white babies outside the country to bring back to me
My black market white baby dealer
The person who acquires expensive white babies for me is illegal and operates outside the law
Brings back clean, fresh white babies to me
The expensive white babies that my baby dealer brings back to me are in brand-new condition and have never been owned before
He brings back
He, my black market white baby dealer, always returns with new white babies
Oh my God, he brings back
I cannot believe that my illegal dealer brings back such expensive babies
He brings back clean, fresh, white expensive babies
The white babies that he brings back to me are in brand-new condition, expensive and valuable
My smile is dime a dozen
I may have an attractive appearance, but it is common and does not stand out
My lips are cherry red
My lips are painted a bright red color
My eyes are blue like the sky is blue
My eyes are blue-colored like the hue of a clear sky above
I got good shoulders under my head
I have strong, capable shoulders that support my head well
I look like your mother
My appearance is similar to the way your mother looked when she was young and attractive
I look like your great-aunt
My appearance is comparable to how your older, elderly great-aunt appears
Sit me down in your family photo
If you put me in a family photo, I will look like I belong in your family
And everyone tells me that I, I look just like you
When I am in a family photo, everyone is surprised how much I look like the other family members
Clean, fresh white babies to me
I receive new and valuable white babies that are in pristine condition
Clean, fresh white babies to me
I receive new and valuable white babies that are in pristine condition
Clean, fresh white babies to me
I receive new and valuable white babies that are in pristine condition
Contributed by Callie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.