Hip Albatross
Gorillaz Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Every dead body that is not exterminated becomes one of them.
It gets up and kills! The people it kills and kill!

Why is it?

Because they still believe there's respect.

Hello, Captain.

I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-
I-I was born
A zombie
From Mercury.
I just sleep.

I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-
I-I was born
A zombie
From Mercury.
I just sleep.

Ah-I-ah!

You got an alternative?

Yeah, yeah, I got an alternative.
Let's get in that old whirlybird
There, find us an island someplace, get in the, and spend what




Time we got left soakin' up some sunshine.
How's that?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Gorillaz's song "Hip Albatross" features a sample from George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" which provides a commentary on society's misguided beliefs in the face of crisis. The spoken-word sample references the idea that every dead body that is not exterminated becomes a zombie, rising from the dead to kill others, and is a metaphor for social issues that are not properly dealt with leading to their reemergence and causing harm. The line "It gets up and kills! The people it kills and kill!" suggests that the cycle of harm perpetuates and multiplies, and the final line "Because they still believe there's respect" points to the societal norms and values that maintain this cycle despite its destructive nature. The use of the word "respect" here is perhaps ironic, as it refers to the kind of reverence given to the dead or the past, despite its collision with reality.


The lyrics then transition into a verse by Gorillaz's lead vocalist, who sings "I was born a zombie from Mercury" twice, highlighting the alienation and disconnection from reality that many people feel in modern society. The repetition of the "I" and "I was born" emphasize the self-absorption of individuals who feel overwhelmed and powerless against the all-consuming nature of societal issues. The line "I just sleep" suggests a lack of agency and action, as the singer is unable to overcome their feelings of entrapment.


Line by Line Meaning

Every dead body that is not exterminated becomes one of them.
If a person who has died from an infection caused by an unknown virus is not properly disposed of, they will return to life as a zombie.


It gets up and kills! The people it kills and kill!
A zombie is violent and aggressive towards the living, and once it kills someone, that person too becomes a zombie.


Why is it?
The reason why zombies are created is unclear and unknown.


Because they still believe there's respect.
The idea of respecting the dead still holds true in society, so people may not want to disrespect the dead by burning or burying their bodies immediately, thus allowing the virus to spread.


Hello, Captain.
Acknowledgment of someone in charge.


I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I- I-I was born A zombie From Mercury. I just sleep.
The singer identifies as a zombie that hails from the planet Mercury and claims to exist only in a dormant state, resembling sleep.


Ah-I-ah!
An exclamation of surprise or excitement.


You got an alternative?
Asking if someone else has a different suggestion or plan.


Yeah, yeah, I got an alternative. Let's get in that old whirlybird There, find us an island someplace, get in the, and spend what Time we got left soakin' up some sunshine. How's that?
The artist proposes a plan to escape to a remote island in a helicopter to live out the rest of their lives enjoying the sun.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, JAMIE HEWLETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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GGG slat


on Feel Good Inc.

Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
(Change) sha, sha (change) ba-da (change), sha-ba-da-ca, (change) feel good ty
(Change) sha, sha (change) ba-da (change), sha-ba-da-ca, (change) feel good

City's breaking down on a camel's back
They just have to go 'cause they don't know whack
So while you fill the streets, it's appealing to see
You won't get undercounted 'cause you're damned and free
You got a new horizon, it's ephemeral style
A melancholy town where we never smile
And all I wanna hear is the message beep
My dreams, they got her kissing, 'cause I don't get sleep, no

Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love is free
Let's turn forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?

Laughin' gas these hazmats, fast cats
Linin' 'em up like ass cracks
Play these ponies at the track
It's my chocolate attack
Shit, I'm steppin' in the heart of this here (yeah)
Care Bear rappin' in harder this year (yeah)
Watch me as I gravitate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Yo, we gon' ghost town this Motown
With yo' sound, you in the blink
Gon' bite the dust, can't fight with us
With yo' sound, you kill the Inc.
So don't stop, get it, get it (get it)
Until you're cheddar headed
And watch the way I navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha (ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)

Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good

Windmill, windmill for the land
Turn forever hand in hand
Take it all in on your stride
It is ticking, falling down
Love forever, love is free
Let's turn forever you and me
Windmill, windmill for the land
Is everybody in?

Don't stop, get it, get it
Peep how your captain's in it (feel good)
Steady, watch me navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! (Feel good)
Don't stop, get it, get it
Peep how your captain's in it (feel good)
Steady, watch me navigate, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! (Feel good)

Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good
Sha, sha-ba-da, sha-ba-da-ca, feel good

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