singer-songwriter and actor. He has also performed and recorded with the English Folk-Rock act Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit.
Flynn released his debut album, A Larum, in 2008. This was followed by the Sweet William EP in 2009 and his second album Been Listening in 2010. 'Been Listening' includes the singles album Kentucky Pill, Barnacled Warship and The Water, which features a duet with Laura Marling.
Tickle Me Pink
Johnny Flynn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm rosy as a flushed red apple skin
Except I've never been as sweet
I've rolled around the orchard
And found myself too awkward
And tickle me green I'm too naive
[Chorus]
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Time is too early
My hair isn't curly
I wish I was home and tucked away
When nothing goes right
And the future's dark as night
What you need is a sunny sunny day
[Chorus]
Don't know where I can find myself a brand new pair of ears
Don't know where I can buy a heart
The one I've got is shoddy
I need a brand new body
And then I can have a brand new start
[Chorus]
Monsters in the valley
And shootings in the alley
And people fall flat at every turn
There is no straight and narrow
Offload your wheelbarrow
And pick up your sticks and twigs to burn
[Chorus]
[Repeats till end]
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
In this song, Johnny Flynn reflects on his self-perception and the challenges that come with trying to find oneself. He starts the first verse by describing himself as "rosy as a flushed red apple skin," which is a metaphor for feeling content and happy with oneself. However, he then adds that he has never been as sweet, which could be interpreted as him feeling inadequate and not measuring up to his own standards. He mentions that he has "rolled around the orchard" and found himself to be "awkward," suggesting that he has struggled with building self-confidence.
In the chorus, Flynn urges listeners to "pray for the people inside your head," which symbolizes the negative thoughts and inner demons that can hold individuals back from reaching their full potential. He warns that these thoughts won't be present when one is dead, so it's important to deal with them while alive. The imagery of being "muffled out and pushed back down" and "pushed back through the leafy ground" creates a sense of suffocation, emphasizing that negative thoughts can stifle one's growth and self-discovery. The second verse hints at feelings of homesickness and anxiety about the future, leading into the chorus where Flynn once again urges listeners to prioritize their mental health and overcome their inner obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Tickle me pink
I'm feeling good/happy
I'm rosy as a flushed red apple skin
I have a healthy, red complexion
Except I've never been as sweet
I may look good, but I'm not perfect
I've rolled around the orchard
I've experienced a lot in life
And found myself too awkward
I'm not always graceful
And tickle me green I'm too naive
I can also be naive, inexperienced
Pray for the people inside your head
Think about and care for your own mental health
For they won't be there when you're dead
No one else can take care of your mind and thoughts
Muffled out and pushed back down
Negative thoughts and emotions can be suppressed, but they will still linger
Pushed back through the leafy ground
These thoughts may resurface when you least expect it
Time is too early
It's too soon to tell what the future holds
My hair isn't curly
I'm still figuring things out
I wish I was home and tucked away
Sometimes, I just want to hide away from the world
When nothing goes right
When life seems to be against you
And the future's dark as night
When you can't see a way out
What you need is a sunny sunny day
You need some positivity and hope to get through tough times
Don't know where I can find myself a brand new pair of ears
I wish I could change the way I perceive things
Don't know where I can buy a heart
I want to be a more caring and empathetic person
The one I've got is shoddy
I'm not satisfied with who I am right now
I need a brand new body
I want to start fresh, with a new perspective and new experiences
And then I can have a brand new start
I believe I can change for the better
Monsters in the valley
There are scary things in the world
And shootings in the alley
Violence is all around us
And people fall flat at every turn
Life is tough and full of obstacles
There is no straight and narrow
There's no one clear path in life
Offload your wheelbarrow
Get rid of your baggage
And pick up your sticks and twigs to burn
Do what you can with what you have, and make the best of it
Pray for the people inside your head
Take care of your mental health, and think positive thoughts
For they won't be there when you're dead
No one can live your life for you
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM BEACH, JOE ZEITLAN, JOHN PATRICK VIVIAN FLYNN, MATT EDMONDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LK-kn7oy
Tickle me pink
I'm rosy as a flushed red apple skin
Except I've never been as sweet
I've rolled around the orchard
And found myself too awkward
And tickle me green I'm too naive
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Time is too early
My hair isn't curly
I wish I was home and tucked away
When nothing goes right
And the future's dark as night
What you need is a sunny sunny day
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Don't know where I can find myself a brand new pair of ears
Don't know where I can buy a heart
The one I've got is shoddy
I need a brand new body
And then I can have a brand new start
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Monsters in the valley
And shootings in the alley
And people fall flat at every turn
There is no straight and narrow
Offload your wheelbarrow
And pick up your sticks and twigs to burn
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
@elianna714
i have the biggest grin on my face yet feel like crying god i love music like this
@884dan
Perfect description
@popvultureinc5007
The early 2010s seemed so magical for jam bands. Maybe it has something to do with Spotify or Apple Music, not sure, but a niche opened up. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes, Hello Echo. It's great movie music if that makes sense.
@LK-kn7oy
Tickle me pink
I'm rosy as a flushed red apple skin
Except I've never been as sweet
I've rolled around the orchard
And found myself too awkward
And tickle me green I'm too naive
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Time is too early
My hair isn't curly
I wish I was home and tucked away
When nothing goes right
And the future's dark as night
What you need is a sunny sunny day
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Don't know where I can find myself a brand new pair of ears
Don't know where I can buy a heart
The one I've got is shoddy
I need a brand new body
And then I can have a brand new start
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
Muffled out and pushed back down
Pushed back through the leafy ground
Monsters in the valley
And shootings in the alley
And people fall flat at every turn
There is no straight and narrow
Offload your wheelbarrow
And pick up your sticks and twigs to burn
Pray for the people inside your head
For they won't be there when you're dead
@siliconjim2554
Don't forget this album.
@mousiefairy4923
I melt in the bass line
@sabihaislamsamira
The fact that this song has references from the book 'Brighton Rock' makes it 10x better.
@jdepaul87
Ah there it is... my reminder to hit the blunt before I go to bed...
@Abelhawk
Just heard this song on Pandora for the first time. Super unique, I love it!
@classicgamer2396
+Austin Catherina was listening to dark dark dark station