One Two
Imperial Teen Lyrics


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One, two
(Ooh, gotta do it)
One, two
(Ooh, get back to it)
One, two
(Ooh, gotta have it)
One, two
(Ooh, like a habit)

And I can almost see the light
Whatever gets you through the night
When all the color turns to white
I think it's time to reunite

One, two
(Ooh, gotta do it)
One, two
(Ooh, get back to it)

Rummaging the lost and found
While she is getting ultrasound (Oh oh oh)
Measuring it by the pound
I haven't finished sleeping around

A how-to-do kit
We'll show you how to do it (Hot, hot)
A baby bonnet
It's too hot, hot
Still have to prove it
If you wanna wear it (Hot, hot)
The baby blanket
Will make it hot, hot

One, two
(Ooh, gotta do it)
One, two
(Ooh, get back to it)
One, two
(Ooh, let's get through it)
One, two
(Ooh, let's intuit)

Let's sign the letter of consent
We'll write it down in wet cement (Oh oh oh)
Taking back the things we meant
The weight is off, the money's spent

A how-to-do kit
We'll show you how to do it (Hot, hot)
A baby bonnet
It's too hot, hot
Still have to prove it
If you wanna wear it (Hot, hot)
The baby blanket
Will make it hot, hot

Can I get back to you?
But don't let me get too far
Wake up in the sleeping car
See me in the rearview

One, two
(Ooh, gotta do it)
One, two
(Ooh, get back to it)
One, two
(Ooh, gotta have it)
One, two
(Ooh, like a habit)
One, two (Hot, hot)
(Ooh, gotta do it)
One, two (Hot, hot)
(Ooh, get back to it)
One, two (Hot, hot)
(Ooh, let's get through it)




One, two (Hot, hot)
(Ooh, let's intuit)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Imperial Teen's "One Two" are symbolic and somewhat cryptic, but they evoke a sense of urgency and a need for action. The repetitive refrain "One, two" suggests the idea of counting down or getting ready to take action. The following lines, "gotta do it," "get back to it," "gotta have it," and "like a habit," reinforce the idea of urgency and the need to act quickly.


The first verse speaks of almost seeing the light and finding a way to get through the night. The imagery of color turning to white suggests a feeling of emptiness or lack of inspiration, and the need to reunite suggests a desire to connect or find a way forward. The second verse includes somewhat surreal images of rummaging through a lost and found, getting an ultrasound, and measuring things by the pound. The line "I haven't finished sleeping around" suggests a lack of commitment or perhaps a feeling of being lost.


The chorus repeats the same phrases as the beginning of the song, but adds "let's get through it" and "let's intuit," suggesting a desire to push through obstacles and find a way forward. The bridge includes the lines "Can I get back to you? / But don't let me get too far / Wake up in the sleeping car / See me in the rearview." These lines suggest a sense of uncertainty and a fear of getting lost, but also a desire to move forward and stay connected.


Overall, the lyrics to "One Two" suggest a sense of urgency and a need to find a way forward. The repetition of the "one, two" refrain and the urgent tone of the lyrics reinforce this idea.


Line by Line Meaning

One, two
The song begins with a chant urging to continue on and keep moving forward, with an emphasis on repetition.


(Ooh, gotta do it)
The repetition of "gotta do it" or a "must-do-it" attitude, generating a sense of urgency.


(Ooh, get back to it)
The second line repeats the sense of urgency in the first line, but this time with a "get-back-to-it" attitude, suggesting a possible interruption or pause that requires one to continue the action.


(Ooh, gotta have it)
Reiterating the necessity of the task at hand and emphasizing the importance of not losing sight of the objective.


(Ooh, like a habit)
The final line of the opening chant serves as a metaphor for the repetitive nature of human beings and their tendencies to form habits or routines.


And I can almost see the light
Amidst the urgency and repetition, the singer speaks of the hope of seeing an end to the task or journey and the light at the end of the tunnel.


Whatever gets you through the night
The line emphasizes that for every individual, there are various things that keep them motivated or help them persevere through tough times and challenges.


When all the color turns to white
The line suggests that in times of struggle and adversity, one's perspective shifts, and everything seems lifeless and dull.


I think it's time to reunite
Realizing the struggle and challenges along the way, the singer suggests it's time to reunite with the mission and continue forward with greater force.


Rummaging the lost and found
The line refers to metaphorically searching for something that one has lost because of a lack of attention or intention.


While she is getting ultrasound (Oh oh oh)
The line depicts a significant life event like pregnancy, which is happening simultaneously while the singer is rummaging for lost items with an "oh oh oh" addition for desired effect.


Measuring it by the pound
Measuring things by the pound often gets associated with weight, costs, and bulkiness - this line could aim to attribute the same to one's baggage or emotional baggage.


I haven't finished sleeping around
Although it's unclear in what context the line is used, it could suggest a lack of emotional attachment, commitment issues, or a desire to experience freely without repercussions or obligational responsibility.


A how-to-do kit
A "how-to-do-it" kit describes an object containing instructions and tools on how to carry out a particular task or craft.


We'll show you how to do it (Hot, hot)
A line emphasizing the level of expertise or proficiency one has to teach others with the sounds of "Hot, hot."


A baby bonnet
A baby bonnet is a head-covering object for newborns, often seen in baby shower cliche photos.


It's too hot, hot
This line is an interruption in the narrative or possibly a metaphor for the uncertainty of the task, with 'Hot' emphasis for effect.


Still have to prove it
The line implies a sense of validation or gain that one could acquire after doing the specific task at hand.


If you wanna wear it (Hot, hot)
Unlike the previous line, this line suggests an action to be taken to receive a worthy outcome or even better rewards, with 'Hot' emphasis for effect.


The baby blanket
A baby blanket is a soft, warm piece of cloth used to cover a newborn.


Will make it hot, hot
This line could either be a continuation of the previous baby item object references or a standalone clause referring to the sense of pursuit and ambition by adding 'hot' emphasis for effect.


Let's sign the letter of consent
The first of the last two lines suggest a legal signature of agreement or consent.


We'll write it down in wet cement (Oh oh oh)
The addition of 'oh oh oh' might suggest the significance or permanency of the action being taken.


Taking back the things we meant
Taking back the things one meant can imply an action of redemption, amends, or even removing the burden of debt to one's emotional state.


The weight is off, the money's spent
The line might suggest either a financial transaction that's been successful or over, or a metaphorical weightlifting symbolizing the action of taking back things one meant.


Can I get back to you?
The singer possibly asks someone if they can continue or speak later about their current events or situation.


But don't let me get too far
The line could suggest either the singer not going too far in their current state of events, both physically or mentally, or possibly disconnected from themselves or society.


Wake up in the sleeping car
The line could imply that the singer is either traveling, has trouble sleeping due to their events, or possibly a metaphor for learning, growing, or doing something significant while the rest of the world sleeps.


See me in the rearview
The line might suggest one realizing the significant past events, their growth, or changes they've undergone while being able to see their newly developed self in the rearview mirror.


(Hot, hot)
The repetition of "hot, hot" could signify the urgency or adding effect.


One, two (Hot, hot)
The repetition of urgency or the significance of the task at hand is signified through the last lines of the song, matching the opening theme.


(Ooh, gotta do it)
The repetition of the "gotta do it" line reinforces the importance of completing the task at hand.


(Ooh, get back to it)
The repetition of the "get back to it" line doubles down on the idea of continuing the mission, even when there are diversions or interruptions.


(Ooh, let's get through it)
The third repetition of the opening theme continues with the same mindset and determination to get through the tasks and obstacles.


(Ooh, let's intuit)
This line might signify the change in approach, from a goal-oriented perspective to a much more intuitional approach to the task, making the last line a continuation of the previous.




Contributed by Aaliyah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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