Relentlessly highbrow, Haines's dark-but-mischievous lyrics typically fall into three groups: musings on obscure Anglicana (The Mitford Sisters, Freddie Mills is Dead), bitter attacks on modern society, particularly the arts (The Death of Sarah Lucas, Christ) and twisted 1970s anti-nostalgia (Leeds United, Here's to Old England) - with the odd dash of self-aggrandisement thrown in for good measure.
Despite cultivating an image as a sinister misanthrope over the past fifteen years, Haines's live sets are notable for his self-deprecating humour and between-songs banter - and for their surprising brevity. But considering that most of his songs are well under three minutes, this doesn't necessarily mean a short set list.
Discomania
Luke Haines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the story of Discomania
Keep me up all night with your own private language
This is the story of Pepsi Cola addicts
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
Which one of us killed us?
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania
I'm anti-everything
And it's all Discomania
We are the kids from the base
We're not the kids in America
Kim Wilde is sex
I'm Tallula Bankhead
Carrot cabbage winters
Is gonna die from stamp death
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania
Totality for the kids
Totality for the government
I like people when they keep their mouth shut
I like them when they're silent
'Cause Kim Wilde is sex
I'm Tallula Bankhead
Carrot cabbage winters
Is gonna die from stamp death
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
Which one of us killed us?
Which one of us am I?
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania
It's all Discomania (It's all Discomania)
It's all Discomania (It's all Discomania)
It's all Discomania (It's all Discomania)
It's all Discomania (It's all Discomania)
(mania)
The lyrics of the song Discomania by Luke Haines seem to be presenting a commentary on the nature of popular culture and its impact on society. The opening lines indicate a scene of sexual activity taking place to the music of the Kim Wilde song, "The Kids in America," which could be interpreted as a representation of how music and pop culture can be a catalyst for social behavior. The title of the song, Discomania, refers to the craze for discos and dancing that took place during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
As the song progresses, the chorus repeats the phrase "Which one of us killed us? Which one of us am I?," which could suggest a metaphor for society’s self-destruction through frivolous indulgences like disco dancing and the consumption of Pepsi Cola. The song seems to be calling out the superficiality of people’s obsessions with pop culture and consumerism in general.
The verses of the song reference various cultural figures, such as Tallulah Bankhead and Kim Wilde, and seem to suggest that these public personas serve as role models or cultural icons that people model their behavior after. The lyrics are intentionally disjointed and seemingly unrelated at times, which could represent the fragmented nature of society's attention and interests.
Line by Line Meaning
They're having sex to 'The Kids In America'
People are having sex while listening to 'The Kids In America'
This is the story of Discomania
This song is about a cultural obsession with disco music
Keep me up all night with your own private language
Someone is talking and keeping the singer awake with their own made-up language
This is the story of Pepsi Cola addicts
This song is also about the cultural obsession with soda brand Pepsi
Which one of us killed us?
The singer is uncertain who is responsible for their situation
Which one of us am I?
The singer is unsure of their own identity
It's all Discomania
Everything is consumed by the obsession with disco music
I'm anti-everything
The singer is against all aspects of this cultural obsession
We are the kids from the base
The singer and their peers are part of a specific community or group
We're not the kids in America
The singer and their peers do not conform to mainstream American culture
Kim Wilde is sex
Kim Wilde, a British musician, is considered sexually appealing
I'm Tallula Bankhead
The singer identifies with Tallula Bankhead, an American actress known for her unconventional behavior
Carrot cabbage winters
This phrase is nonsensical and has no clear meaning
Is gonna die from stamp death
This phrase is nonsensical and has no clear meaning
Totality for the kids
The cultural obsession with disco music affects young people
Totality for the government
The cultural obsession with disco music affects government policies or agendas
I like people when they keep their mouth shut
The singer prefers when people remain silent
I like them when they're silent
The singer has a preference for quiet people
(mania)
The repeated use of the word 'discomania' reinforces the theme of cultural obsession with disco music
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LUKE MICHAEL HAINES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gordon Edgar
Thanks for the upload. Much love and respect to June and Jennifer Gibbons.
Frisbee Shawn 🥏 🥏
brilliant.. ..
sdl 1986
What does he sing at 1:11? It's not "Kim Wilde is sex" even though all the lyrics websites say otherwise. It sounds like "Kill Marc Ecko," but I don't think that's it as awesome as that sounds.
molecularash
"King Mob Echo"