Negative Attitude
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


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Look at the world through a rose tint lens
I get mine from a poison pen
I've got a negative attitude
And I don't mind

You want to paint the renaissance fair
I want to try to relate to your colourful hair
Is that a negative attitude?

Why be content with the sky
when there's higher to go?
Get off the floor
Help your self to some more
Because it's free to be you
And it's free to be me
and I know

Look at the girl on the bad hair day
Look very close, I think I like what she's trying to say
She's got a negative attitude

Why be content with the sky
when there's higher to go?
Get off the floor
You can dance if you're bored
Because it's free to be you
And it's free to be me
and I know
I heard it on my radio

You want to sleep in an Ono sack
We want to live in a prefab shack in New Hampshire
We've got a negative attitude

Why be content with the sky
when there's higher to go?
Get off the floor
Help your self to some more
Because it's free to be you




And it's free to be groovy, I know
I heard it on my radio

Overall Meaning

The song Negative Attitude by Lloyd Cole is about how having a negative attitude can sometimes be liberating. The first verse suggests that the singer sees the world in a different light as he gets his rose-colored glasses from a poison pen. These contrasting images may indicate that the positive things in life can sometimes be toxic or poisonous, and that cynicism is a way of guarding oneself against them. The chorus asks why one should settle for mediocrity when there are higher goals to be achieved in life. The singer encourages the listener to embrace their pessimism and to always aspire for more. The second verse praises the beauty of imperfection, and the singer seems to be attracted to people who have a negative attitude because they are more authentic and less pretentious. The singer aspires for more than the conventional expectations of life, such as sleeping in an Ono sack or living in a prefab shack in New Hampshire.


The song is marked by its catchy chorus, which emphasizes the freedom of non-conformity. It suggests that having a negative attitude is a way of breaking free from the restrictions that society places on people. Interestingly, the song has a self-reflexive quality as it acknowledges that it is being performed through a medium. The lyric "I heard it on my radio" highlights the role that mass media plays in shaping our perception of reality. The song also subverts conventional notions of beauty by valorizing imperfection. In an interview done by The Guardian in 2010, Lloyd Cole revealed that his intention was to write a song that embraced negativity instead of trying to preach positivity, which has been a common theme in pop music.


Line by Line Meaning

Look at the world through a rose tint lens
I prefer to view the world through a pessimistic lens and express it using harsh words.


I get mine from a poison pen
I draw my negative thoughts and feelings from my pen, and share it with others through my words.


I've got a negative attitude
I have a generally pessimistic and cynical outlook on life.


And I don't mind
I am comfortable with my negative attitude and it does not bother me.


You want to paint the renaissance fair
You want to see the best in things, while I see the worst in things and express that through my words.


I want to try to relate to your colourful hair
I find it difficult to connect with people who have a positive outlook, but I still try to empathize with them.


Is that a negative attitude?
I am questioning whether my negative outlook is appropriate or not.


Why be content with the sky when there's higher to go?
Why settle for mediocrity when there is potential for greatness?


Get off the floor Help your self to some more
Stop being complacent and take control of your life by striving for more.


Because it's free to be you And it's free to be me and I know
We are all entitled to our own thoughts and opinions, and we should not be afraid to express them.


Look at the girl on the bad hair day Look very close, I think I like what she's trying to say
Even though she may seem unhappy, there is something valuable in what she is expressing.


She's got a negative attitude
She has a negative outlook on life like me.


You can dance if you're bored
There is always something productive or entertaining that you can do to improve your situation, even in times of boredom.


We want to live in a prefab shack in New Hampshire
We have an unconventional and unambitious idea of what constitutes a desirable living situation.


We've got a negative attitude
We share a generally pessimistic and cynical outlook on life, like I do.


Because it's free to be groovy, I know I heard it on my radio
Even though we have a negative attitude, it is still possible to appreciate and enjoy the good things in life.




Contributed by Hannah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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