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Lids
Lotus Child Lyrics
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They hang like guillotines
Daunting over perfect scenes
Poised above my head
Lids they act like autumn leaves
They'll bring you in a breeze
Painted nails on broken feet
Strangle every step
CHORUS
Just, just don't jump
Too high
Frail girl
It's not your place
To look,
For more than this.
(x2)
More than this.
Lids they're sewn into your clothes
They never decompose
Picked apart by worms and crows
Only tags remain
Swimming in your blood they seize
The possibilities
All these years your feet were knees
Darling if you please
CHORUS
Just, just don't jump
Too high
Frail girl
It's not your place
To look
For more than this
(x2)
More than this.
Lids over my ears
Over my eyes
Over my pots and pans
Bring me to ah--
Lids over my ears
Over my eyes
Over my pots and pans
Bring me to a boil
Lids over my ears
Over my eyes
Over my pots and pans
Bring me to a boil
CHORUS
Just, just don't jump
Too high
Frail girl
It's not your place
To look
For more than this
(x2)
More than this.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhohhhh woahhhh ohhhhhhh ohhhhhh!
The song "Lids" by Lotus Child is a poetic representation of the societal pressures and expectations that weigh heavily on an individual's mind. The "lids" in the song refer to the different masks or covers that people wear in order to conform to the societal norms. These lids are likened to guillotines, autumn leaves, and sewn into clothes, emphasizing their inescapable nature. The song acknowledges the suffocating effect of these lids, which strangle every step and bring one to a boil. The lyrics urge the singer, a frail girl, not to jump too high, as the world outside the lids is seen as dangerous for her.
The lyrics also reference the idea of mortality and the impermanence of physical beauty. The lids are said to be found in magazines, hanging over perfect scenes, and contain painted nails on broken feet. These images suggest the deception and temporality of physical beauty, which can be picked apart by worms and crows, leaving only tags behind. The singer is encouraged to embrace her limitations and not strive for more than what is deemed acceptable by society.
The song's haunting melody and introspective lyrics make it an ode to society's unrealistic expectations and the negative impact they can have on people's mental health. It highlights the importance of self-acceptance and being true to oneself, rather than trying to fit into someone else's idea of perfection.
Line by Line Meaning
Lids they're found in magazines
The concept of perfection and expectations are pervasive in media, presented as easily obtainable through consumer goods and an ideal appearance.
They hang like guillotines
These unattainable standards hover menacingly overhead, leaving one feeling vulnerable and judged harshly should they fail to meet them.
Daunting over perfect scenes
The setting of this impossible standard is a utopian scene where every aspect is perfect and unreal.
Poised above my head
The subject is aware of and constantly reminded of the high bar set before them.
Lids they act like autumn leaves
The harsh and fleeting nature of these expectations is similar to the leaves that fall during autumn, a temporary and capricious force.
They'll bring you in a breeze
One can easily be swept away by these ideals, leading to discredit and dissatisfaction with one's own reality.
Painted nails on broken feet
The pressure to present well and hide flaws while struggling underneath is exhausting and damaging.
Strangle every step
Perfectionism and the fear of failure can be paralyzing, trapping the subject in constant anxiety and self-doubt.
Lids they're sewn into your clothes
The consumption and commodification of these ideals is pervasive and inescapable.
They never decompose
The constant demand for perfection and the fear of falling short persists and follows, never truly dissipating.
Picked apart by worms and crows
The reality that these pressures are harmful and destructive is inevitable and becomes clearer over time as the ravages of life bear down.
Only tags remain
The remnants of these ideals are meaningless labels that serve as superficial markers of success or failure.
Swimming in your blood, they seize
The culture's harmful influences can seep deep into one's psyche, causing a pervasive sense of inadequacy and a skewed sense of reality.
The possibilities
These expectations create an impossible ideal that stifles true growth and potential.
All these years your feet were knees
Despite one's best intentions, it is impossible to meet the unrealistic and damaging expectations of the culture at large.
Darling if you please
The subject has been conditioned to make peace with and even strive for these damaging ideals, a reflection of the culture's relentless influence.
Lids over my ears, over my eyes, over my pots and pans
The influence of these destructive expectations pervades every aspect of one's life, from personal relationships to daily chores.
Bring me to a boil
The subject is on the verge of boiling over and breaking under the pressure of these impossibly high expectations.
Just, just don't jump too high, frail girl
The subject is fragile and in danger of falling apart, but the song urges her to not give in to these impossible and harmful ideals.
It's not your place to look for more than this
The song reminds the subject that the expectations and ideals presented by the culture are not only unattainable but also not worth pursuing, encouraging her to instead find fulfillment beyond these narrow limits.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhohhhh woahhhh ohhhhhhh ohhhhhh!
A final untranslatable expression of emotion, a plea to overcome the oppressive forces and find true freedom and self-worth.
Contributed by Levi T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.