The song is about hypocrisy within the government, the media and our society with regards to use and policy surrounding drugs.
Recreational (and in some cases prescriptive) drug use is seen as a taboo subject, and with this song Lily uses her platform as a singer to encourage an alternative side to the debate on the misuse of drugs. She shares her personal experiences and observations as a comparison to the negative way the media have presented hers and others experiences.
Lily Allen has discussed the song’s meaning in an interview with The World magazine.
”In this song about taking drugs, both recreational and prescriptive, Allen suggests that everyone’s indulging in killer drugs – from “older politicians” to “young adolescents.” She explained to Word magazine February 2008 that she referenced politicians and adolescents “to make the line scan” before adding: “The point is there’s a lot of hypocrisy attached to drug culture – especially from the journalists who write about it as they’re all drug addicts and alcoholics. The only story is that drugs are bad and they will kill you. You will become a prostitute or a rapist or a dealer. But that’s not true. I know lots of people that take cocaine three nights a week and get up and go to work every day, no problem at all. But we never hear that side of the story. I have no statement to make, I just wish people wouldn’t sensationalize this thing that just exists. Some people are bad at taking drugs. But some people are bad at driving and kill themselves and others that way. I don’t take drugs. I used to. But I get very anxious around people who are on drugs, because it reminds me of being a kid. I can spot the signs of people being a bit gakked up very quickly. It terrifies me. That’s why I took cocaine when I didn’t even like it. I felt like a lonely child when everyone else was doing it and I wasn’t.” Allen’s comments were condemned by many for suggesting that the risks of cocaine are overstated. David Raynes, head of the National Drugs Prevention Alliance, responded: “When someone like Lily Allen makes these remarks she is only harming young people who will at some point in their lives have to make a decision about taking drugs. We already have a major drug culture in the UK and she is affecting that.”
Everyone's at It
Lily Allen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that is the sun poking its head 'round the curtain
Now please can we leave, I'd like to go to bed now
It's not just the sun that is hurting my head now
I'm not trying to say that I'm smelling of roses
But when will we tire of putting shit up our noses
I don't like staying up, staying up past the sunlight
It's meant to be fun and this just doesn't feel right
Why can't we all, all just be honest
Admit to ourselves that everyone's on it
From grown politicians to young adolescents
Prescribing themselves anti-depressants
Now how can we start to tackle the problem
If you don't put your hands up and admit that you're on them
The kids are in danger, they're all getting habits
From what I can see everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
I get involved but I'm not advocating
Got an opinion, yeah you're well up for slating
So you've got a prescription and that makes it legal
Now find the excuses overwhelmingly feeble
You go to the doctor, you need pills for sleeping
Well if you can convince him, I guess that's not cheating
See your daughter's depressed we'll get her straight on the Prozac
But little do you know, she already takes crack
Why can't we all, all just be honest
Admit to ourselves that everyone's on it
From grown politicians to young adolescents
Prescribing themselves anti-depressants
Now how can we start to tackle the problem
If you don't put your hands up and admit that you're on them
The kids are in danger, they're all getting habits
From what I can see everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Why can't we all, all just be honest
Admit to ourselves that everyone's on it
From grown politicians to young adolescents
Prescribing themselves anti-depressants
Now how can we start to tackle the problem
If you don't put your hands up and admit that you're on them
The kids are in danger, they're all getting habits
From what I can see everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
Everyone's at it
In Lily Allen's song "Everyone's at It," the singer brings attention to the widespread drug use and prescription pill addiction that permeates society, from politicians to young adolescents. Allen highlights the hypocrisy of those who denounce drug use but are secretly indulging in it themselves, either for pleasure or as a means of coping with mental health issues. The lyrics are a commentary on the societal pressures and norms that often lead individuals down the dangerous path of addiction.
The opening lines of the song acknowledge the painful effects of drug use and the desire to avoid them, but the subsequent stanza questions why people continue to indulge despite the risks. Allen urges listeners to be honest with themselves and admit that they too are caught up in the cycle of addiction, and to take responsibility for their actions.
The final stanzas highlight the danger faced by young people, who are prescribed anti-depressants and other medication to cope with mental health issues, but end up addicted and unable to break free from their dependence. Allen also takes a jab at the pharmaceutical companies who profit from the sale of such drugs, highlighting the inherent flaws in a system that is supposed to be helping those in need.
Overall, "Everyone's at It" illuminates the reality of drug addiction in modern society and encourages listeners to take a more critical look at the societal norms and pressures that lead people down that path.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know much but I know this for certain
Although I am uncertain about many things, I am sure that the sun is rising.
And that is the sun poking its head 'round the curtain
I can see the sun shining through the curtain and it is causing discomfort.
Now please can we leave, I'd like to go to bed now
I would like to leave and go to bed because my head is hurting.
It's not just the sun that is hurting my head now
The sun is not the only thing causing me to have a headache right now.
I'm not trying to say that I'm smelling of roses
I am not claiming to be perfect or without flaws.
But when will we tire of putting shit up our noses
When will we grow tired of continuing to abuse drugs, particularly snorting them up our noses?
I don't like staying up, staying up past the sunlight
I do not enjoy staying awake past daylight hours.
It's meant to be fun and this just doesn't feel right
Partying and staying up late is supposed to be enjoyable, but this experience feels wrong.
Why can't we all, all just be honest
Why is it so difficult for everyone to be truthful?
Admit to ourselves that everyone's on it
We need to acknowledge that many people are abusing drugs.
From grown politicians to young adolescents
People of all ages, from politicians to young people, are involved in drug abuse.
Prescribing themselves anti-depressants
People are self-prescribing anti-depressant medications.
Now how can we start to tackle the problem
How can we begin to address the issue of drug abuse?
If you don't put your hands up and admit that you're on them
We cannot solve the problem if people do not acknowledge their involvement in drug abuse.
The kids are in danger, they're all getting habits
Young people are at risk of developing drug addictions.
From what I can see everyone's at it
It appears to me that many people are involved in drug abuse.
I get involved but I'm not advocating
I am participating in drug abuse, but I am not promoting or encouraging it.
Got an opinion, yeah you're well up for slating
If you have a negative opinion, you are free to express it.
So you've got a prescription and that makes it legal
People often believe that because they have a prescription for a medication, it is acceptable or legal to use it recreationally.
Now find the excuses overwhelmingly feeble
Most of the justifications people use for drug abuse are weak and unconvincing.
You go to the doctor, you need pills for sleeping
People go to the doctor to get sleeping pills because they struggle to sleep.
Well if you can convince him, I guess that's not cheating
If you can persuade your doctor to prescribe you medication for recreational use, it may not be considered cheating by some people.
See your daughter's depressed we'll get her straight on the Prozac
If someone's child is depressed, doctors are quick to prescribe medication like Prozac to treat the condition.
But little do you know, she already takes crack
Parents may not be aware that their child is abusing drugs like crack in addition to their prescribed medication.
Everyone's at it
Many people are involved in drug abuse.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LILY ALLEN, GREG KURSTIN, GREGORY KURSTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@friendnamedjane8686
Lilly Allen was so ahead of the game, she should be so much bigger than she has been. Absolute genius!
@user-rp3kn4pr5j
Agree!
@brandonayong5823
Her first 2 albums are absolute classics but her last one is by far the best
@scorpiopath09
It is a shame that this song wasn't on radios. I feel like songs from this 2009 album would do well on the radio today. More people need to hear the raw and deep lyrics of ms. allen! Its so satirical and true, all wrapped up in a sweet, tender voice.
@sneeze3177
Like a.... burrito?
@Saddiesinclaire
I hear this song on Triple J (australian radio) quite often actually
@moizeslopes3991
Its against the market
@deirdremccarthy6702
WE NEED TO GET THIS SONG TRENDING AGAIN FOLKS. ITS SO RELEVANT TO NOW!! #lillyallen#everyonesatit
@hopetwiby-thomas4723
i guess im the only one here listening in quarantine 2020 this song is still relevant over a decade later!
@lavaniadelrey2807
Hope Twiby-Thomas me too