Phair's 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, was released to acclaim; it has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Phair followed this with her second album, Whip-Smart (1994), which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Whitechocolatespaceegg (1998). Ten years after the release of her debut, Phair's fourth album, Liz Phair (2003), released on Capitol Records, moved towards pop rock, earning her a mainstream audience but alienating critics.
After the release of her fifth album, Somebody's Miracle (2005), Phair left Capitol and released her sixth album Funstyle independently in 2010. In 2018, it was announced that Matador Records would be releasing a retrospective set for Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville which includes remastered recordings from her original Girly-Sound demo tapes. Phair released her seventh studio album, Soberish, in 2021.
Jealousy
Liz Phair Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got a thirty-seven year old guitar
He's got a family who deals heroin
You're on the edge of your chair
And you feel it
He's looking at you, he's laughing at you
It's happening
But it's here on the pages I'm reading
It's all I can do to conceal my feelings of jealousy
Jealousy
I know it's just a drawer of photographs
They're ex-girlfriends, I try to remember that
I don't want to look, but I'm already hooked on jealousy
Jealousy
I can't believe you had a life before me
I can't believe they let you run around free
Just putting your body wherever it seemed like a good idea
What a good idea
Standing on the corner watching the ladies pass by
Imagining me behind your eyes
And what did I see?
I saw hips, I saw thighs
I saw secret positions that we never try
I saw jealousy
I saw jealousy
I can't, I can't believe it
But it's here in this place and I see it
It's all I can do to conceal my feelings of jealousy
Jealousy
Standing on the mudflats watching the salmon fly
Wonder if I'll ever bury the hatchet inside
Imagining me behind your eyes
And what did I see?
I saw hips, I saw thighs
I saw secret positions that we never try
I saw jealousy
I saw jealousy
I can't believe you had a life before me
I can't believe they let you run around free
Just putting your body wherever it seemed like a good idea
What a good idea
The lyrics to Liz Phair's "Jealousy" are an intense exploration of the complex emotions that can arise in a romantic relationship. The first verse sets the scene: the singer is faced with a man who seemingly has it all - a fancy car, an impressive guitar, and a family who deals heroin. The tension of the scene is palpable - the singer is on the edge of their seat, feeling the weight of the man's gaze upon them. The second verse delves deeper into the singer's inner turmoil. They are faced with a drawer full of photographs of their partner's ex-girlfriends and struggle to cope with feelings of jealousy and insecurity. The final verse takes place against the backdrop of the natural world - the mudflats and the salmon fly. The singer is once again imagining themselves in their partner's shoes, seeing through their eyes and feeling jealousy at the secret positions they've shared with past lovers.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got a million dollar car
He boasts of luxurious possessions
He's got a thirty-seven year old guitar
He treasures an old guitar that he's had for a while
He's got a family who deals heroin
His relatives are involved in an illegal drug trade
You're on the edge of your chair
You're anxious or nervous
And you feel it
You sense something happening
He's looking at you, he's laughing at you
He mocks or ridicules you with his gaze
It's happening
Something significant is taking place
I can't, I can't believe it
I am stunned or shocked
But it's here on the pages I'm reading
I am reading about it firsthand
It's all I can do to conceal my feelings of jealousy
I struggle to hide my envious emotions
Jealousy
The emotion of envy
I know it's just a drawer of photographs
I recognize it's only a collection of images
They're ex-girlfriends, I try to remember that
They are previous romantic partners, and I attempt to keep that in mind
I don't want to look, but I'm already hooked on jealousy
I don't intend to stare, but I'm already consumed by envy
I can't believe you had a life before me
I am surprised you existed prior to me
I can't believe they let you run around free
I am astonished you were allowed to do as you pleased
Just putting your body wherever it seemed like a good idea
You were carelessly involved with others sexually
What a good idea
Sarcastic remark implying the opposite
Standing on the corner watching the ladies pass by
Observing women from a street corner
Imagining me behind your eyes
Projecting oneself into another's perspective
And what did I see?
What did I perceive?
I saw hips, I saw thighs
I viewed a woman's body parts in my imagination
I saw secret positions that we never try
I contemplated physical intimacy in untried ways
I saw jealousy
Envy was the driving factor
Standing on the mudflats watching the salmon fly
Watching fish in a river
Wonder if I'll ever bury the hatchet inside
Wondering if I'll ever let go of resentment and anger
I can't believe you had a life before me
I am taken aback by the thought of you living without me
I can't believe they let you run around free
I am surprised you were able to act freely
Just putting your body wherever it seemed like a good idea
You had things happen to you without care or responsibility
What a good idea
A sarcastic commentary on the behavior
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PHAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Speranza Tikvah
I swear, I grew up to Liz Phair's first two albums....they bring back things I'd forgotten.
Christopher Cecil
The riff at 2:02 is pure rock n roll. Love it!!!
Remeday
Jeez I love Liz. This song is so good. Liz phair is such a talented musician. She is in my top 3 artists for sure. This video rocks, this album rocks. Liz I thank you for putting out such wonderful music!
Kurtis Smith
i got whip-smart when it came out, but I had literally no clue this song had a video until now.
Kevin Johnson
@Michael Park Ingram Cool. Yeah, I was thinking that this may have adversely affected her career. Most people still didn't know her (and still don't) but she was breaking out at this time. Too bad. Great video, btw.
Michael Park Ingram
@Kevin Johnson Hilarious man! I happen to have worked on the video and was bummed it never got the showing it deserved.
Kevin Johnson
@Michael Park Ingram Dangit! I hate it when people know more than I do!
Michael Park Ingram
It was banned on MTV for the silhouettes of guns which is why you didn't see it.
kingbadger
@Kevin Johnson very cool, thanks!
KEEP CALM and PLAY SOCCER IN YOUR PAJAMAS
Thanks so much for posting this! Love to see some new videos from her.