Their first release was a double-A-side 7" single on Off The Wall (later signed to Peacefrog) that had two tracks: "Twice" and "Test".
Nagano was born and raised in Göteborg to a Japanese father and American mother. She grew up listening to American folk, but always had an affinity for R&B. Keyboardist Wirenstrand spent his childhood in Småland before moving to Göteborg where listened to a lot of Swedish folk music before getting into electronic music. Bodin grew up listening to early hip-hop and jazz. Fredrik was influenced by experimental, noise and electro house.
Nagano and Bodin play live with José González. Bodin also drums with Peps Perrson, a Swedish blues/reggae artist. Swedish electronic jazz duo Koop's albums Waltz for Koop and Koop Islands feature Yukimi Nagano's vocals on several tracks.
The band collaborated with Gorillaz on two tracks ("Empire Ants" and "To Binge") from their 2010 released album, Plastic Beach. Little Dragon also collaborated with Maximum Balloon (the solo project of David Andrew Sitek, producer and member of TV On the Radio), for one track entitled "If You Return". In 2011, the band's collaboration with SBTRKT on "Wildfire" was released as the lead single from his self-titled début LP.
Pretty Girls
Little Dragon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the wavy mane
The California dream
Riding a unicorn through your Dalí
The free fantasy
The care free
That beginners luck
The sugar don't live up
Your trophy
Start throwing up a boat to bar
You magnify the universe
Grab your purse
Grab your luck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
You're aiming the royal scene
Fast luck
TV dreams
Pretty girl, don't get struck
So, Bubble Hills
Don't you ever burst?
Never let her down
Tossing out time
While you drag your crumbs
The birds ate their round
Hawaiian drinks in a famous face
You pose innocent
Those new lashes don't go to waste
But it could pay your rent
You magnify the universe
Grab your purse
Grab your luck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
You're aiming the royal team
Fast luck
TV dreams
Pretty girl, don't get struck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
Pretty girl, don't get struck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
The song "Pretty Girls" by Little Dragon is a commentary on the superficial and glamorous lifestyle often associated with Hollywood and California. The lyrics mention various symbols of this lifestyle, such as the green mermaid (referring to the Starbucks logo), the wavy mane (likely referring to flowing, styled hair), and riding a unicorn through your Dalí (suggestive of an otherworldly and fantastical experience). The song criticizes this lifestyle as being based on appearances and ultimately unfulfilling, as evidenced by lines like "the sugar don't live up" and "tossing out time while you drag your crumbs."
Despite the negative commentary on this lifestyle, the song also praises the women who aspire to it. The lyrics refer to the women as "pretty girls" and encourages them to continue pursuing their dreams, saying "you magnify the universe, grab your purse, grab your luck." The chorus repeats the line "pretty girl, don't get stuck" as a reminder to avoid getting caught up in the superficial aspects of the lifestyle and instead focus on achieving true success and happiness.
Overall, "Pretty Girls" is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of chasing fame and fortune, while also recognizing the ambition and resilience of those who pursue it.
Line by Line Meaning
The green mermaid
Referring to the Starbucks logo or the popular culture's mermaid symbolism that represents beauty and strength.
And the wavy mane
A curly hairstyle that adds to a person's beauty or charisma.
The California dream
The idea of a perfect life or an idealized lifestyle that is associated with living in California.
Riding a unicorn through your Dalí
The surreal, dreamlike experience of living life to the fullest with a sense of freedom and imagination.
The free fantasy
A state of mind that is liberated from the confines of reality and the pressures of societal expectations.
The care free
A life that is free from worries and unnecessary stress, allowing one to enjoy the moment without hesitation or concern.
That beginners luck
The assumption that good fortune may come easy to those who are just starting out, but not necessarily guaranteed to continue.
The sugar don't live up
The disappointment that comes with unrealistic expectations or false promises, such as believing that sugar can fix all problems.
Sailing on a banana peel
A metaphorical representation of the unpredictability and instability of life, where one can easily slip and fall if not careful.
Your trophy
A metaphor for one's accomplishment or success in life that is meaningful and valuable.
Start throwing up a boat to bar
A metaphor for the idea of moving up in the world and achieving greater success by taking calculated risks and seizing opportunities.
You magnify the universe
The idea that one's positive energy, attitude, and actions can have a significant impact on the world around them.
Grab your purse
A call to action that reminds individuals to be prepared and ready for anything life throws their way, both good and bad.
Grab your luck
A message that encourages individuals to take control of their own fate and actively seek out opportunities for success.
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
A reminder to be confident, take risks, and not to let fear or insecurity hold you back from achieving your goals and dreams.
You're aiming the royal scene
An aspiration to achieve a higher level of success or recognition that is associated with status, power, and influence.
Fast luck
The idea of achieving success or good fortune quickly, without having to wait or put in a lot of effort.
TV dreams
An aspiration to be famous or achieve success in the entertainment industry, such as appearing on television or in movies.
So, Bubble Hills
An imaginary place that represents the idea of a perfect world or utopia, free from stress and problems.
Don't you ever burst?
A rhetorical question that asks if one's hopes and dreams will ever come crashing down or fall apart.
Never let her down
A commitment to not disappoint or fail others, especially those who have supported or believed in you.
Tossing out time
The idea of letting go of the past and moving on to the future, without regrets or hesitation.
While you drag your crumbs
The idea of carrying the weight of one's past mistakes or regrets, which can slow down progress and hold one back from achieving their full potential.
The birds ate their round
A reminder that life moves on, and that it is important to keep moving forward, even if others have not been as fortunate or successful.
Hawaiian drinks in a famous face
The idea of living a luxurious lifestyle that is associated with wealth, fame, and status.
You pose innocent
The idea of projecting a certain image or persona to the world, which may be different from one's true self or inner thoughts and feelings.
Those new lashes don't go to waste
A reminder to make the most of the positive changes or improvements in one's life, such as a new physical appearance, by embracing them fully.
But it could pay your rent
The idea that success or fame can lead to financial stability or independence, but that it is not a guarantee or permanent solution.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Erik Oskar Bodin, Fredrik Daniel Wallin, Hakan Wirenstrand, Yukimi Eleanora Nagano
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@picc0lett
The green mermaid
And the wavy mane
The California dream
Riding a unicorn through your Dalí
The free fantasy
The care free
That beginners luck
The sugar don't live up
Sailing on a banana peel
Your trophy
Start throwing up a boat to bar
You magnify the universe
Grab your purse
Grab your luck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
You're aiming the royal scene
Fast luck
TV dreams
Pretty girl, don't get struck
So, Bubble Hills
Don't you ever burst?
Never let her down
Tossing out time
While you drag your crumbs
The birds ate their round
Hawaiian drinks in a famous face
You pose innocent
Those new lashes don't go to waste
But it could pay your rent
You magnify the universe
Grab your purse
Grab your luck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
You're aiming the royal team
Fast luck
TV dreams
Pretty girl, don't get struck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
Pretty girl, don't get struck
Pretty girl, don't get stuck
@cosmicconiferous6191
I've been listening for 12 years; I still love them!
@mxifly
same , around the same time for me, !st year of varsity
@RioSynMiedo
The more I dig the meaning of this piece the more I love it and end up thinking it a masterpiece. Multimedia art meets it's philosophical purpose here, everything is in it. Hat down.
@beautifulnature5724
This is fucking awesome. A powerful woman captured by men and forced to put on a show against her will, so she unleashes pure fucking chaos.
@1431trish
BeautifulNature~ thanks....I was so lost
@japalmer2
Dat Sneefa you're right Klapp Klapp. It's awesome.
@jayjackson8303
what power
@stevovimy
Yas qween, stunning and brave!
@huwguyver4208
Little Dragon makes the bad days better and the good days great. If any of them ever read this thankyou so much for the beautiful music you make, it means the world to me, such great talent ❤
@nerojuge8405
see people like us don't care if this group gets 10 billion views and 10 million likes. We just love the music and appreciate the art and are thankful to be alive to discover amazing artists and music similar to this. love it.