UK rock group King Adora formed in Birmingham in 1998, reputedly taking the… Read Full Bio ↴UK rock group King Adora formed in Birmingham in 1998, reputedly taking their name from an oversized adult toy they'd seen in a sex shop. With strong punk and glam rock influences, similar to American power pop, they often drew comparisons to Suede, The Pixies, and the early Manic Street Preachers. They had a successful touring career and picked up a devoted fanbase (who were often also Rachel Stamp, Placebo and Manic Street Preachers fans), although they never made a real impression on the mainstream. They were heavily publicised by Melody Maker magazine, before the publishers decided to end the publication, and "merge" it with NME, and initially got some exposure in UK Kerrang!, leading to modest success. However, when Melody Maker folded in 2000, the band's profile, and record sales, faded with it, and they were dropped by Superior Quality Recordings, who had released their debut album, Vibrate You. However, thanks to the loyalty of their fanbase, King Adora did manage to continue touring, and released Who Do You Love? on Discovery in 2004. Sadly, the buzz that had surrounded the band back in 2000 never really returned, and they called it a day in September 2005. However, Maxi Browne and Martyn Nelson have gone on to form another band, The High Society, with three new members; The High Society made their live debut in March 2006.

Born To Lose
King Adora Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rotting away
I haven't eaten since the start of the day
I know that I love me and I know that you love me
But vomiting is better than sex

I believe in low esteem and I'm bulimic beauty
I don't need your sympathy, I believe in choices

We are the real
I couldn't tell you how I'm going to feel
I know that you love me and I know that I love me
But vomiting is better than sex

I believe in low esteem and I'm bulimic beauty
I don't need your sympathy

Honey, it's a right to choose
Honey, we were born to lose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of King Adora's song "Born to Lose" may seem controversial and difficult to interpret at first. However, upon closer inspection, the lyrics seem to recount the struggles of someone who suffers from bulimia and low self-esteem, while also insisting on their right to choose their own path in life.

The first stanza talks about feeling empty and hungry, not having eaten since the start of the day. The line "vomiting is better than sex" may refer to a sense of control that the person feels when they purge, as opposed to any actual pleasure from the act. The chorus seems to suggest a deep sense of self-awareness, acknowledging that the person and their loved ones know they love themselves, but they also have personal demons that they struggle with.

The second stanza speaks to the person's beliefs about themselves, referencing "bulimic beauty" and low self-esteem. The line "I believe in choices" could refer to the person wanting to have control over their own life, and the belief that they are making a conscious decision to live their life in this way. The final repetition of the chorus, "Honey, we were born to lose," almost seems like a defiant statement, owning their struggles and choosing to live their life on their own terms.

Line by Line Meaning

Rotting away
I am withering away, deteriorating both physically and mentally.

I haven't eaten since the start of the day
I have starved myself and am depriving my body of the necessary energy it needs to function.

I know that I love me and I know that you love me
I have a narcissistic personality and understand that you too have strong feelings for me.

But vomiting is better than sex
As someone with bulimia, I value throwing up more than the act of sexual intercourse.

I believe in low esteem and I'm bulimic beauty
I find my worth in having a low self-esteem and aspire to be a thin and beautiful bulimic.

I don't need your sympathy, I believe in choices
I do not want or require your pity, as I firmly believe in making my own decisions.

We are the real
I believe that I and others who share my experiences with mental illness and disordered eating are the only genuine ones out there.

I couldn't tell you how I'm going to feel
I am unsure of how I will feel in the future, potentially with regards to recovery.

Honey, it's a right to choose
I am asserting that one has the right to choose their own path, regardless of its destructive nature.

Honey, we were born to lose
I believe that some people, myself included, are destined to fail and suffer in their lives.

Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.