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.
killing me
Little Dragon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Have another drink
What's that you said?
I see a side of you
Pass the eyes and through
Sticks and stones
Lucky clover
Back of a taxi used
Ten more blocks to cruise, yeah, yeah
Now that I'm home
Outside's in here
No longer with you
You created a space
I'll take my rocket ship
And get the hell out of this
Nothing that I'm gonna miss
You're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
Time, hurry
Heal my every wound
Don't burden me
Lead me to symphonies
I'm like a masterpiece
Gold beam
Dazzle every step
Time will bring
Sweet offering
Brand new
Nothing there to lose
Yeah, yeah
Now that I'm home
Outside's in here
No longer with you
You created a space
I'll take my rocket ship
And get the hell out of this
Nothing that I'm gonna miss
But you're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
Now that I'm home
Outside's in here
No longer with you
You created a space
I'll take my rocket ship
And get the hell out of this
I'm makin' a spider howl
Watch you killing me
The song "Killing Me" by Little Dragon addresses the emotional turmoil of leaving a toxic relationship. The lyrics describe a pattern of mood swings and alcohol consumption, which lead to arguments (sticks and stones). The singer feels like they are trapped in a cycle of pain (a carousel taking me home), and the only way out is to separate themselves from the person causing the distress. The singer acknowledges that the other person has created a space (you've created a space), and it's time to move on and let the healing begin (time, hurry, heal my every wound). They are ready for a new beginning (brand new, nothing there to lose) and a life without the abuse that has been "killing" them.
The song's mood is reflective and pensive, with an undercurrent of strength and determination. The singer acknowledges the pain and toxic behavior, but the main message is that they are taking control and leaving behind the person who has been causing the pain.
The lyrics are enhanced by Little Dragon's signature lush and moody instrumentation, which combines elements of electronic and acoustic instruments to create a dreamy but grounded soundscape. The song features frontwoman Yukimi Nagano's ethereal vocals, which are perfectly suited to the song's introspective and emotional themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Mood swing
Talking about the erratic emotions they are feeling
Have another drink
Implying that drinking can help deal with these emotions
What's that you said?
Asking for clarification in the midst of confusion
I see a side of you
Realizing there are hidden aspects to the person they are interacting with
Pass the eyes and through
Passing beyond the surface level to see past the facade
Sticks and stones
Referencing the classic saying implying that words can hurt
Lucky clover
Hoping for something to bring good fortune
This carousel's taking me home
Expressing a sense of being stuck in the same cycle of emotions
Back of a taxi used
Navigating everyday life situations while feeling lost in emotion
Ten more blocks to cruise, yeah, yeah
The journey to emotional clarity is still ongoing
Now that I'm home
Feeling a sense of comfort in their surroundings
Outside's in here
Despite being inside, the problems from outside still weigh heavy
No longer with you
Ending a toxic relationship
You created a space
Acknowledging that the other person played a role in their emotional turmoil
I'll take my rocket ship
Escaping the pain of the past to find a better future
And get the hell out of this
Leaving behind the negative emotions and experiences
Nothing that I'm gonna miss
Feeling no regrets about leaving the past behind
You're killing me
The weight of the past is still causing pain
Time, hurry
Expressing a desire for time to move more quickly
Heal my every wound
Hoping for emotional healing
Don't burden me
Asking for the weight of the past to be lifted
Lead me to symphonies
Looking for something beautiful to fill the void left behind after the pain
I'm like a masterpiece
Recognizing their own worth as a person
Gold beam
Hope for something valuable in the future
Dazzle every step
Looking for positivity and brightness in everyday life
Time will bring
Believing that time will bring good things
Sweet offering
Hopeful for something sweet to come
Brand new
Starting fresh
Nothing there to lose
Feeling no attachments to the past
I'm makin' a spider howl
Exerting power over the negative emotions and experiences
Watch you killing me
Continuing to feel hurt by the past despite moving forward
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVID J JOLICOEUR, ERIK OSKAR BODIN, YUKIMI ELEANORA NAGANO, FREDRIK DANIEL WALLIN, HAKAN WILHELM WIRENSTRAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ricardo acuña enriquez
Mood swing
Have another drink
What's that you said?
I see a side of you
Pass the eyes and through
Sticks and stones
Lucky clover
This carousel's taking me home
Back of a taxi used
Ten more blocks to cruise, yeah, yeah
Now that I'm home
Outside's in here
No longer with you
You created a space
I'll take my rocket ship
And get the hell out of this
Nothing that I'm gonna miss
You're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
Time, hurry
Heal my every wound
Don't burden me
Lead me to symphonies
I'm like a masterpiece
Gold beam
Dazzle every step
Time will bring
Sweet offering
Brand new
Nothing there to lose
Yeah, yeah
Now that I'm home
Outside's in here
No longer with you
You created a space
I'll take my rocket ship
And get the hell out of this
Nothing that I'm gonna miss
But you're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
You're killing me
Now that I'm home
Outside's in here
No longer with you
You created a space
I'll take my rocket ship
And get the hell out of this
I'm makin' a spider howl
Watch you killing me
Reuben Stern
Nearly every song on this album is amazing. This one especially.
Carboot Studios
@C Castaneda cheers
C Castaneda
@Carboot Studios You got that right.
Carboot Studios
Nearly? More like all.
Chad Brandon
This is my fav song on the album ... The rhythm of her voice in the beginning just brings you into the song so naturally ... And then you can't help it ... You're already zoning. Thank God for her voice.
zabrizzL3
Thx Chad, u are CORRECT.
TheDiamondMind •
I discovered them, oddly enough, playing GTAV when the song "crystalfilm" was playing on the radio station within the game... I was hooked on her voice from GO!!!
Name Zuljeg
Chad Brandon Nah your all god m8. perfectly normaly happens to me all; the time... ive wrote some quite interesting things least to say ahah
Chad Brandon
I was drunk when I wrote that. Not saying I was talking out my ass, just saying I'm extra sometimes lol. When I get in a mood, I get all extra, trying to be too deep. It's a damn shame, but my hearts in the right place. Thx L.D.
MJHums
The bass in the beginning is so dirty. Love listening to this on loud with my headphones in. Badass beat to walk to class to