Under My Thumb
La Roux Lyrics


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Under my thumb
a girl who has just changed her ways
It's down to me, me
the way she does just what she's told
down to me, the change has come
she's under my thumb

Under my thumb
a siamese cat of a girl
under my thumb
she's the sweetest, hmm, pet in the world

It's down to me, me
the way she talks when she's spoken to
down to me, the change has come
she's under my thumb

It's down to me, me
the way she talks when she's spoken to
down to me, the change has come
she's under my thumb

Under my thumb
her eyes are just kept to herself
under my thumb, well I
I can still take a look at someone else

It's down to me, me
the way she talks when she's spoken to




down to me, the change has come
she's under my thumb

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of La Roux's song "Under My Thumb" can be interpreted in various ways. On a surface level, it seems to talk about a girl who has changed her ways and become submissive to the singer. The phrase "under my thumb" can be interpreted as a metaphor for control and dominance that the singer has over the girl. The change is attributed to the singer, who is taking credit for the girl being transformed into someone who does just what she is told and talks only when spoken to.


The lyrics also go on to describe the girl as a "siamese cat," who is the sweetest pet in the world. This metaphor makes the girl seem like a docile and obedient animal, whose only purpose is to please her owner. The lines "her eyes are just kept to herself" and "I can still take a look at someone else" reveal how the singer is not interested in the girl beyond what she can provide him. He wants to keep her close and under his control, but he doesn't want to be loyal or faithful to her.


Overall, the song can be seen as a reflection of the toxic masculinity that is pervasive in our society. The lyrics portray the singer as someone who wants to dominate and control a woman, without any concern for her feelings or autonomy. The use of metaphors like "under my thumb" and "siamese cat" reduces women to mere objects and reinforces harmful gender stereotypes.


Line by Line Meaning

Under my thumb
The girl is submissive to me and follows my every command.


a girl who has just changed her ways
The girl used to have her own ideas and ways of doing things, but she has now conformed to my wishes.


It's down to me, me
I am the one in control of the situation.


the way she does just what she's told
The girl listens to my every command and does exactly what I tell her.


the change has come
The girl has undergone a transformation and now behaves the way I want her to.


a siamese cat of a girl
The girl is delicate and dependent on me, like a Siamese cat.


she's the sweetest, hmm, pet in the world
The girl is docile and subservient, like a pet, and I find her pleasing because of her obedience.


her eyes are just kept to herself
The girl is not allowed to look around or make decisions for herself; she keeps to herself and follows my lead.


I can still take a look at someone else
Although the girl is obedient to me, I still have the freedom to look at and desire other people.


the way she talks when she's spoken to
The girl speaks only when I allow her to, and she says only what I want her to say.




Writer(s): Mick Jagger, Keith Richards

Contributed by Elizabeth J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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