Hey
Nilufer Yanya Lyrics


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Hey

Hey
Been trying to meet you
Mhm, hey
There must be a devil between us
A whore in my head
Whore at the door
Whore in my bed
Hey, where have you been?
If you go, I will surely die

Chained, ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you?
Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't

"Uh" said the man to the lady, mhm
"Uh" said the lady to the man she adored
And the whores like a choir, going all night
And Mary, ain't you tired of this?
"Uh" is the sound
That the mother makes
When the baby breaks

Chained, ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you?
Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you?




Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you?
Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you?

Overall Meaning

The song "Hey" by Nilufer Yanya is an emotional rollercoaster that goes through different phases of frustration, despair, and sadness. The lyrics are straightforward, but their simplicity makes them more powerful as they convey the universal feeling of wanting to be with someone who does not reciprocate the same feelings. The verses describe the singer's search for connection with someone, which is represented by the repeated line, "hey, been trying to meet you." However, the singer acknowledges that there is a "devil" or something harmful that prevents them from closing the distance with this elusive person. The second verse is more explicit as it mentions the "whore in my head, whore at the door, whore in my bed," signaling the internal and external obstacles that hinder the singer's ability to form a meaningful relationship with the desired person. Despite the difficulties, the singer still appeals to this person by saying that if they go, then she will "surely die," indicating the extreme attachment and dependence she feels towards them.


The chorus adds a layer of complexity to the song by introducing the concept of being "chained." The repetition of "Ain't you" emphasizes the singer's doubt about whether the person she wants to be with is also held captive by their emotions, or if they are entirely indifferent to her. The bridge further expands on this idea by introducing two characters, a man and a lady, who are communicating with each other using only the word "uh." The presence of "whores like a choir" in the background suggests that the singer's situation is not unique and that many people struggle with similar issues. The song ends with the mother's "uh" when the baby breaks, which can be interpreted as a symbol of the end or loss of something. Overall, "Hey" is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of connecting with others and the fear of being left alone.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey
The singer is trying to get someone's attention


Been trying to meet you
The singer has been attempting to meet the person they are addressing


Mhm, hey
The singer reiterates their attempt to get the other person's attention


There must be a devil between us
The artist believes that something is preventing them from connecting with the other person


A whore in my head
The artist is bothered by their own negative thoughts


Whore at the door
The singer feels that there is temptation right outside their reach


Whore in my bed
The singer is grappling with their own desires


Hey, where have you been?
The artist is curious about the whereabouts of the person they address


If you go, I will surely die
The artist feels that the person they are addressing is essential to their happiness and wellbeing


Chained, ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't
The artist feels that the person they are addressing is controlled or burdened by something


"Uh" said the man to the lady, mhm
The singer is describing a conversation between a man and woman


"Uh" said the lady to the man she adored
The artist is describing a conversation between a man and woman


And the whores like a choir, going all night
The singer feels that negative influences around them are loud and persistent


And Mary, ain't you tired of this?
The singer addresses someone named Mary, asking if they are fed up with their current situation


"Uh" is the sound
The singer is defining the sound 'uh'


That the mother makes
The artist is referring to a mother making the 'uh' sound


When the baby breaks
The artist is saying that the mother makes the 'uh' sound when her child is hurt or upset


Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't you? Ain't
The singer is repeating their previous statement about the other person being burdened or controlled




Writer(s): THOMPSON CHARLES, FRANCIS BLACK, FRANCIS BLACK, THOMPSON CHARLES

Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@anhvo5736

Hey
Pixies
Hey
Been trying to meet you
Hey
Must be a devil between us
Or whores in my head
Whores at my door
Whores in my bed
But hey
Where have you been?
If you go, i will surely die
We're chained
'Uh' said the man to the lady
'Uh' said the lady to the man she adored
And the whores like a choir
Go 'uh' all night
And mary ain't you tired of this?
Uh
Is
The
Sound
That the mother makes when the baby breaks
We're chained



All comments from YouTube:

@artofsoul

No one ever does the Pixies justice. Then I heard this young women, she gets it. Make it yours.

@exmachinema

I saw Nilufer in DC before the pandemic and she was a revelation; just now catching up on her older stuff and continue to be amazed at the talent on display with both of these collaborators.

@espositogregory

not an easy song to render uniquely. Well done.

@milanaaaaaaaaa

One of my favourite version of this song for five years now. Gorgeous.

@policemofo

her homie with the sax is fucking killing it

@sange65

Love this. Absolutely brilliant. very talented.

@rc0va

I love Pixies and now I'm loving you! Beautiful recreation.

@melvinsamson1378

WOW. YES.

@teresalanca7761

Nice version of one of my favourite songs of all time!!! Thank you Nilufer!

@AlicePartEnLive

Merci Radio Nova :D

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