In their early days, Swedish indie popsters the Loveninjas really did dress… Read Full Bio ↴In their early days, Swedish indie popsters the Loveninjas really did dress like ninjas on-stage and sing tongue in cheek ninja-related love songs. But poses like that can only last so long, and by the time of this, their debut album, singer/songwriter Thor Helmstein has let that particular joke die a graceful death. Not that The Secret of the Loveninjas is lacking in a sense of humor: two of the best songs on the album are the Stone Roses-like jangle-dance hybrid "Do Me" and the manic twee pop rush of "She Broke His Penis in Two." Indeed, the band that comes to mind most often when listening to The Secret of the Loveninjas is the perpetually sardonic Sparks; not only does Helmstein regularly slip comfortably into a falsetto similar to Russell Mael's, the unexpected melodic twists and arrangements blending new wave synthesizers with bright, crisply strummed electric guitars often recall various periods of the Mael brothers' eclectic career. But Sparks have never quite managed winsomeness, and that's the quality The Secret of the Loveninjas has in spades: even on the hushed, mournful closer "My Lust Is Dead" and in the stalker-ish, semi-desperate lyrics and pulsating disco beat of the first single "I Wanna Be Like Johnny C," Helmstein simply sounds so gosh-darn genial and sweet-natured that the overall mood never turns as dark as the band perhaps wanted. Closer to the mark are tunes like the playful "Little Black Friends," a twist on the monsters-under-the-bed tale, and the wistful shoegazer pop of "Earl Grey with Honey." Relentlessly melodic in the spun-sugar fashion of the best Swedish indie pop and filled with personality, The Secret of the Loveninjas is a pure twee pop delight.

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Loveninjas Lyrics

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Once there was a girl and a boy

They found themselves in bundles of joy

Boyfriends of the past I know

I tried so hard but I was too slow

Pretend to laugh and to agree

Tried to match your complexity

Drink too much and practice fire

I wanted to but I was so tired

What if you would see through me?

I was afraid that you would see

That if there was a fire inside

It burned out fast and we could not find

Searching hands, awkward touch

When something matters to you this much

Maybe you're in love with me

I know that you would lie to me

Overall Meaning

The song "Once There Was A Girl And A Boy" by Loveninjas tells the story of two people who were once in a relationship. The song speaks about the moments and memories they shared together, the joy they found in each other's company, and the regrets and missed opportunities that led to the end of their relationship. The singer is reflecting on the past, confessing his feelings, and admitting that he was too slow to notice what was happening before it was too late.

The first verse sets the tone for the song as the singer reminisces about the girl and the boy, who were once happy together. The second verse speaks about the singer's feelings towards the girl and how he tried so hard to be with her but was unsuccessful. The chorus of the song is haunting in its simplicity as the singer ponders what would happen if the girl were to find out the truth about his feelings for her. The bridge of the song speaks about the intimacy they once shared and the touch that made them feel alive.

Line by Line Meaning

Once there was a girl and a boy
There existed a boy and a girl

They found themselves in bundles of joy
They were delighted in each other's company

Boyfriends of the past I know
I am aware of your past relationships

I tried so hard but I was too slow
I put in effort, but it wasn't enough

Pretend to laugh and to agree
I pretended to be amused and in agreement

Tried to match your complexity
I attempted to keep up with your sophisticated nature

Drink too much and practice fire
I consumed excessive alcohol and practiced pyromania

I wanted to but I was so tired
I desired to participate, but I was fatigued

What if you would see through me?
What if you discovered my true self?

I was afraid that you would see
I was scared that you would uncover

That if there was a fire inside
If there was a passion burning within me