Their music has been covered by the likes of Ash and Tullycraft.
Current members are Helen, Sheena and Ricardo Autobahn.
Past members: Gary Strickland (guitar, 1997).
Diet Coke Girl
Helen Love Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She wears white linen dresses with flair,
She lives with a policeman,
Plays squash on Thursday evenings,
She's in love with Billy Joel,
That's enough to kick her head in
The low-fat, high-fibre girl,
She'll be late back to work,
But her boss says it's OK,
You know he really loves her
The diet-cola girl, the sugar-free boy,
The diet-cola girl, the sugar-free boy,
The diet-cola girl,
We all want to destroy
It's really hot, there's a breeze from America,
But she's so cool driving around,
Got the stereo up loud,
Loves her Michael Bolton,
You can spot her in a crowd,
She's the one to hang your coat on
The low-fat, high-fibre girl,
Suns herself by the lake,
She'll be late back to work,
But her boss says it's OK,
You know he really loves her
The diet-cola girl, the sugar-free boy,
The diet-cola girl, the sugar-free boy,
The diet-cola girl,
We all want to destroy
Diet Coca-cola girl,
Diet Coca-cola girl,
Diet Coca-cola girl,
Diet Coca-cola girl
She's not the real thing,
She's not the real thing,
She's not the real thing,
She's not the real thing,
She's not the real thing,
She's not the real thing,
Real thing
The lyrics to Helen Love's song Diet Coke Girl depict a woman named Claire who is seemingly perfect and put together, with her white linen dresses and love for Billy Joel. However, the lines "That's enough to kick her head in" suggest that perhaps others are jealous or resentful of Claire's seemingly perfect life. Further in the song, the lyrics describe a "low-fat, high-fibre girl" who is late back to work but is loved by her boss. The chorus juxtaposes the diet-cola girl and sugar-free boy with the line "We all want to destroy," implying that there is something worth destroying about these perfect-looking individuals.
The song seems to be commenting on the pressure to be perfect and the resentment or desire to tear down those who seem to have it all together. The "diet" references in the lyrics suggest that this pressure extends even to one's physical appearance and diet choices. The repetition of the line "She's not the real thing" at the end of the song could suggest either a desire to see the subject fail or a realization that perhaps their outward perfection is not as desirable as it seems.
Line by Line Meaning
Her name is Claire, she's an office executive,
She is an office executive named Claire and her profession and status is stated.
She wears white linen dresses with flair,
Claire likes to wear white linen dresses with an air of style and confidence.
She lives with a policeman,
Claire cohabitates with a law enforcement officer.
Plays squash on Thursday evenings,
Claire enjoys playing squash on Thursday evenings for recreation.
She's in love with Billy Joel,
Claire has romantic affections for Billy Joel, a singer-songwriter.
That's enough to kick her head in
It is implied that others may disapprove or be jealous of Claire's love for Billy Joel to the point of being violent.
The low-fat, high-fibre girl,
A description of a girl who maintains a diet consisting of low-fat and high-fiber foods.
Suns herself by the lake,
She enjoys sunbathing by the lake in the summer sun.
She'll be late back to work,
She might be delayed returning to work after her leisurely activity.
But her boss says it's OK,
Her employer is understanding and forgives her tardiness.
You know he really loves her
It suggests that the boss is either sympathetic or has romantic feelings for this girl, without being explicit.
The diet-cola girl, the sugar-free boy,
These are individuals who prefer diet soda, as opposed to full-sugar soda.
The diet-cola girl, the sugar-free boy,
Repetition of the previous line, perhaps in emphasis or rhythm.
The diet-cola girl,
A continuation of the previous line, with emphasis on the girl who drinks diet soda.
We all want to destroy
There may be an implication that people want to destroy what 'the diet-cola girl' stands for or symbolizes.
It's really hot, there's a breeze from America,
The weather is very hot, and a cool breeze may be drifting from America.
But she's so cool driving around,
Despite the heat, this girl maintains coolness and comfort while driving.
Got the stereo up loud,
She has turned up the volume on the audio system in her car to listen to music.
Loves her Michael Bolton,
She enjoys listening to the music of Michael Bolton, a singer-songwriter.
You can spot her in a crowd,
The girl is easily recognizable, perhaps due to her clothing or other distinct characteristics.
She's the one to hang your coat on
It implies that the girl is dependable and trustworthy, someone you can rely on to look after your belongings.
Diet Coca-cola girl,
Repeating the phrase from earlier, referring to an individual who prefers diet soda.
Diet Coca-cola girl,
Further repetition of the phrase, perhaps for musical purposes.
Diet Coca-cola girl,
Continuing the repetition of the phrase, with emphasis on the girl who drinks diet soda.
Diet Coca-cola girl
Stating the phrase one last time, to drive the point home.
She's not the real thing,
It is implied that the girl who prefers diet soda is not a true representation of what people should be enjoying/buying.
She's not the real thing,
Repeating the phrase from earlier, perhaps in emphasis or to finalise the song.
She's not the real thing,
Further repetition of the theme, perhaps to make it clear what the song is trying to communicate.
She's not the real thing,
Continuing to repeat the idea that this girl isn't what people should aspire to be like or enjoy.
She's not the real thing,
A final time repeating the phrase to end the song.
She's not the real thing,
Conclusion statement reiterating that people should not aspire to be like the diet cola girl.
Contributed by Lila Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.