Alfie
Greg Kurstin/Lily Allen Lyrics
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My little brother's in his bedroom smoking weed
I tell him he should get up 'cause it's nearly half past three
He can't be bothered 'cause he's high on THC
I ask him very nicely if he'd like a cup of tea
I can't even see you 'cause the room is so smokey
Don't understand how one can watch so much TV
My baby brother Alfie, how I wish that you could see
Oh, I only say it 'cause I care
So please can you stop pulling my hair
Now, now there's no need to swear
Please don't despair my dear, Mon frere
Oh, Alfie get up it's a brand new day
I just can't sit back and watch you waste your life away
You need to get a job because the bills need to get paid
Get off your lazy arse
Alfie, please use your brain
Surely there's some walls out there that you can go and spray
I'm feeling guilty if I leading you astray
Now, how the hell do you ever expect that you'll get laid
When all you do is stay and play on your computer games?
Oh, I only say it 'cause I care
So please can you stop pulling my hair
Now, now there's no need to swear
Please don't despair my dear Mon frere
Oh, little brother, please refrain from doing that
I'm trying to help you out so can you stop being a twat
It's time that you and I sit down and had a little chat
Just look me in the eyes take off that stupid fitted cap
Oh, I only say it 'cause I care
So please can you stop pulling my hair
Now, now there's no need to swear
Please don't despair
Please don't despair
Mon frere
The lyrics to Greg Kurstin/Lily Allen's song Alfie talk about the frustration and concern that the singer has for her little brother who is wasting his life away smoking weed and playing video games. She tells him that it's time to get a job as bills need to be paid and that he needs to use his brain to find a way to make a living. She also tells him that he needs to get off his "lazy arse" and start doing something productive with his life. The singer conveys her frustration and worry for her brother in a humorous yet loving way, urging him to see the error in his ways.
The song also expresses the singer's helplessness to get through to her brother despite her best intentions. She tells him that she only says all these things because she cares for him, but he keeps pulling her hair, swearing and not taking her seriously. It's apparent that the brother is lost in his own world and doesn't seem to see the impact his choices have on his life and those around him. The chorus of the song ends on a plea to not give up on him, using the French phrase "mon frere" to show their familial bond.
Overall, the lyrics of the song paint a picture of a young man lost in his vices, ignoring his responsibilities and refusing to change his ways while his sister tries her best to get through to him. The song has a humorous tone with a bouncy melody, which creates an enjoyable listening experience while also conveying a serious message.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, deary me
Expressing concern and frustration at the situation
My little brother's in his bedroom smoking weed
Observation that her little brother is wasting his life smoking weed in his bedroom
I tell him he should get up 'cause it's nearly half past three
Encouragement for the little brother to get up and face the world
He can't be bothered 'cause he's high on THC
Explanation for why the little brother can't be motivated to do anything
I ask him very nicely if he'd like a cup of tea
Offering a small, kind gesture to the little brother
I can't even see you 'cause the room is so smokey
Observation of the severity of the smoking in the room
Don't understand how one can watch so much TV
Confusion over how the little brother can waste so much time watching TV
My baby brother Alfie, how I wish that you could see
Expressing a desire for the little brother to realize his potential
Oh, I only say it 'cause I care
Clarifying that she is offering criticism from a place of love
So please can you stop pulling my hair
Requesting that the little brother stop being rude
Now, now there's no need to swear
Advising the little brother to mind his manners
Please don't despair my dear, Mon frere
Offering emotional support to the little brother
Oh, Alfie get up it's a brand new day
Encouraging the little brother to abandon his apathetic lifestyle and start fresh
I just can't sit back and watch you waste your life away
Stating the frustration at watching the little brother squander his potential
You need to get a job because the bills need to get paid
Encouraging the little brother to start taking responsibility
Get off your lazy arse
Making a direct command to the little brother to start being productive
Alfie, please use your brain
A desperate plea for the little brother to start applying himself
Surely there's some walls out there that you can go and spray
Suggesting that the little brother can find work doing graffiti art instead of wasting his time
I'm feeling guilty if I leading you astray
Feeling responsible for the little brother's bad habits
Now, how the hell do you ever expect that you'll get laid
Pointing out the futility of the little brother's current life choices
When all you do is stay and play on your computer games?
Highlighting the lack of productivity and wasting of time by playing video games
Oh, little brother, please refrain from doing that
Asking the little brother to stop his bad behavior
I'm trying to help you out so can you stop being a twat
Expressing frustration with the little brother's poor choices and behavior
It's time that you and I sit down and had a little chat
Suggesting a serious conversation between the sisters and the little brother
Just look me in the eyes take off that stupid fitted cap
Asking the little brother to show respect and attention during the conversation
Please don't despair
A final plea for the little brother to not give up hope
Please don't despair
Repeating the plea for emphasis
Mon frere
Calling the little brother by a term of affection
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Greg Kurstin, Lily Rose Allen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind