Along with Apples In Stereo, Olivia Tremor Control, Of Montreal and other bands, Lilys set much of the tone for the American East Coast rock scene in the 1990s
"A Nanny In Manhattan" became a #16 hit in the UK after being used in a 1998 ad campaign for Levi's jeans.
In winter of 2000 K. began recording Precollection in Philadelphia. Three producers and three years later enter Guru of Soul, producer MIchael Musmanno, combining his affections for pop and esoteric rock to deliver all subsequent Lilys recordings.
Dandy
Lilys Lyrics
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from pockets lined with vasoline
i know you now, but i can forget
be ready, but i'm not done yet
paperclip, cheap history defines
she used to split, but never shined
follow hey, learn how to lead
her law hoop soon brings out on me
Dandy changed her mind
and if you're not him is the only thing on your side
you are dumb, and young girl a burnout can be fine
with bottle-bat to hit the ball
while killing time she stares thru walls
water or 3 to drink in too real
you look like nothing i could steal
toasting heads, half-past pre-girl time
and this gives slowly wrap to twine
so share the floor, but i'm overstared
my stomache hurts from dives thru there
Dandy changed her mind
and if you're not him is the only thing on your side
and if you're not him only force me to decide
at night i could be anywhere
or somewhere that i could sleep
right now i could be anywhere
or somewhere that i could swing
the shaven head, cleaner then clean
legbone on fire with vasoline
i'll blow you off, and you will forget
keep moving but blood won't let
paperclip, hold arms to my side
your reason to touch while open wide
fake smiles make their whole deal seem cheap
at least from here the view is free
The lyrics of Lilys' song "Dandy" describe a protagonist who is in a state of self-discovery, exploring and experimenting with their identity. The chorus suggests that "Dandy" has changed her mind and the only thing in her favor is not being the singer, implying that the singer has a certain admiration or longing for her. The verses describe the singer's various experiences and observations, such as shaving their head to feel like a new person, carrying around vaseline in their pockets, and feeling like they could be anywhere or do anything at night.
The line "fake smiles make their whole deal seem cheap" could be interpreted as a critique of societal expectations and conventions around fitting in, specifically in the music industry which Lilys was a part of. The song overall has a dreamy, introspective quality to it, with the repetition of "you look like nothing I could steal" and "at least from here the view is free." These lines may suggest a sense of detachment from the world and a skepticism towards materialism and conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
to shave my head, cleaner than clean
I'm starting over with a fresh slate, free from any dirt or impurities.
from pockets lined with vasoline
I've got my own tricks and secrets to keep me moving and protected.
i know you now, but i can forget
I've met you before, but at any moment I could lose interest in you and move on.
be ready, but i'm not done yet
I'm always looking for the next adventure or opportunity, so stay prepared for anything.
paperclip, cheap history defines
The details of my past may seem insignificant or forgettable, but they have shaped who I am today.
she used to split, but never shined
I've been through some tough times and struggles, but they haven't dulled my inner spark and potential.
follow hey, learn how to lead
I might seem like a follower or a lost soul, but in reality I have the potential to be a strong leader and influence.
her law hoop soon brings out on me
The rules and expectations of others might start to feel oppressive or limiting, and I'll need to break free in my own way.
with bottle-bat to hit the ball
I'll make do with whatever tools or resources I have to fight my battles.
while killing time she stares thru walls
I might appear idle or unproductive, but I'm always quietly scheming and planning my next move.
water or 3 to drink in too real
I'll take whatever sustenance or refreshment is available, even if it's not exactly what I want or need.
you look like nothing i could steal
You might seem like an easy target or a pushover, but I won't waste my time trying to take advantage of you.
toasting heads, half-past pre-girl time
I'm always up for a good time, but I'll do it on my own terms and schedule, not according to anyone else's expectations.
and this gives slowly wrap to twine
My experiences, good and bad, are slowly molding me into the person I want to be.
so share the floor, but i'm overstared
I might appear shy or uncertain, but I'm actually confident in my abilities and don't need anyone's approval or validation.
my stomache hurts from dives thru there
I'm not afraid to take risks or make bold moves, even if they might cause me discomfort or pain.
at night i could be anywhere
I'm restless and always looking for new experiences and adventures, even if it means leaving everything familiar behind.
or somewhere that i could sleep
At the same time, I crave peace and security, and try to cultivate it wherever I go.
right now i could be anywhere
I'm truly free and unencumbered, able to go wherever my heart desires at any moment.
or somewhere that i could swing
I'm not satisfied with the status quo or being stagnant - I want to keep exploring and growing.
legbone on fire with vasoline
I'm not afraid of pain or discomfort, and will do whatever it takes to achieve my goals.
i'll blow you off, and you will forget
I might seem fickle or uncommitted, but in reality I know what I want and won't let anyone hold me back.
keep moving but blood won't let
I'll never stop striving and chasing my dreams, no matter how hard it gets or how many setbacks I face.
paperclip, hold arms to my side
I'm resourceful and strategic, always finding new ways to adapt to my environments and challenges.
your reason to touch while open wide
I might seem guarded or standoffish, but deep down I crave connection and intimacy like anyone else.
fake smiles make their whole deal seem cheap
I can spot fake or insincere behavior from a mile away, and it only confirms my dislike for superficiality and inauthenticity.
at least from here the view is free
I might not have everything figured out yet, but at least I'm not trapped or bound by anyone else's expectations or beliefs.
Dandy changed her mind
I might seem unpredictable or changeable, but in reality I'm always growing and evolving, shedding old skins and trying on new ones.
and if you're not him is the only thing on your side
I have very little tolerance for anyone who tries to tell me who to be or how to act - I'll be true to myself no matter what.
you are dumb, and young girl a burnout can be fine
I might seem reckless or immature to some, but I know what I'm doing and won't let anyone else's judgments or prejudices hold me back.
and if you're not him only force me to decide
If you don't respect my independence and autonomy, I'll have no choice but to cut you loose and move on to the next adventure.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: KURT KARGAR HEASLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind