Little Boxes
Malvina Reynolds Lyrics

Little boxes on the hillside
The existence of uniformity is evident in the little boxes that exist on the hillside.

Little boxes made of ticky-tacky
These little boxes are not unique and instead are made of cheap and low-quality materials.

Little boxes on the hillside
The existence of these boxes on the hillside is reiterated in the second verse.

Little boxes all the same
All of these unremarkable boxes look identical and lack any distinguishing features.

There's a green one and a pink one
While there may be different-colored houses, the overall lack of diversity is still relevant.

And a blue one and a yellow one
Again, the different colors of the houses do not negate the overall uniformity present in this community.

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
The cheap and unremarkable construction of these houses is highlighted again in this verse.

And they all look just the same
Despite the different colors of these houses, they all share the same bland and uninspired design.

And the people in the houses
The focus shifts to the residents of these boxes and their experiences.

All went to the university
All of these residents pursued higher education and attended a university.

Where they were put in boxes
Unfortunately, even their higher education experiences were similar and confining.

And they came out all the same
The aftermath of this university experience is the continued uniformity and conformity of the residents.

And there's doctors and lawyers
The intended diversity that higher education strives for is absent, even in the professions of these residents.

And business executives
The white-collar nature of these professions makes it easy for the residents to blend together and conform even more.

And they're all made out of ticky-tacky
Again, the cheap and low-quality nature of these houses is equated to the cheap, uniform nature of these residents' existences.

And they all look just the same
Their lack of individuality and sameness is further driven home.

And they all play on the golf course
These residents participate in leisure activities that again highlight their uniformity and sameness.

And drink their martinis dry
Their choice of beverage adds to this image of white-collar, upper-class conformity.

And they all have pretty children
Even their children, who could potentially be unique, are instead reduced to being 'pretty' and conforming.

And the children go to school
The children are sent to school, which will only further indoctrinate them to be like their parents and conform to societal expectations.

And the children go to summer camp
Even summer camp experiences cannot change the overall conformity present in this community.

And then to the university
Just like their parents, the children will attend a university.

Where they are put in boxes
Their university experiences will follow the same patterns as their parents'.

And they come out all the same
The continued existence of uniformity and conformity is guaranteed through this cycle.

And the boys go into business
The focus shifts to the male children and their futures as they 'go into business.'

And marry and raise a family
These male children will continue the cycle of conformity by raising their own families.

In boxes made of ticky-tacky
The repetition of ticky-tacky imagery hammers home the overall conformity of this community.

And they all look just the same
The song ends on this line, as it is the ultimate truth of this community and their lack of individuality.