From playing with the collective Kokoroko to touring Australia, Oscar Jerom… Read Full Bio ↴From playing with the collective Kokoroko to touring Australia, Oscar Jerome’s penchant for melody is drawing people in swathes. The Norfolk-born guitarist has found his spiritual home in London’s kaleidoscopic jazz scene alongside peers such as Sons Of Kemet and Ezra Collective. Despite releasing his debut EP as recently as 2016, Jerome has already had the privilege of sharing the stage with Lianne La Havas and none other than Kamasi Washington.

Lizard street
Oscar Jerome Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Help me swallow my pride, yeah
Wash it down with a kiss, yeah
Manchester dawn, oh, London′s on the radio
Yesterday, knee deep with the sun on my back and in your eyes

Well, I hadn't cried for months and
The salt tasted good on your tongue
And I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street

Since day one
Oh, teach me
'Cause I'm open

′Cause I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I′ve been waiting around for an epiphany
Since day one, day one, since day one

'Cause I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I've been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
′Cause I′ve been waiting around for an epiphany
Since day one, day one, since day one, since day one

Knee deep on that rock
And my chest plummets and swims down
I'm hostile but I′m lonely
This is how I know that it's so much more than lust now

Well, I hadn′t cried for months and
The salt tasted good on your tongue
And I've been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
Since day one
Yeah, teach me
Now I′m open

Educate yourself (you like, you like ones well)
Educate yourself (educate yourself)
(Like ones well, like ones well)
Educate yourself (you like, you like ones well)
Educate yourself

'Cause I've been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
′Cause I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I′ve been waiting around for an epiphany
Since day one, day one, since day one

'Cause I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I′ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I've been waiting around for an epiphany
Since day one, day one, since day one, since day one

Down Lizard Street
′Cause I′ve been waiting around for an epiphany
Since day one, since day
Dragging my heels down Lizard Street
Dragging my heels down Lizard Street
Waiting around for an epiphany

Since day one, since day one
Dragging my heels down Lizard Street
'Cause I been waiting around

′Cause I been waiting around for an epiphany
Since day one, since day one

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Lizard Street" by Oscar Jerome describe the struggle of the singer to let go of his pride and open himself up to love. The first verse shows him seeking help from his partner to "swallow his pride" and move on from it, emphasizing the transformative power of love. The phrase "wash it down with a kiss" further emphasizes the intimacy and emotional depth of the relationship. The reference to Manchester and London radio stations in the same verse highlights the geographical distance between the lovers, perhaps reflecting their struggle to maintain their connection despite physical constraints.

The second verse talks about how the singer has been resisting vulnerability and holding back emotions for months. The line "the salt tasted good on your tongue" suggests that he has finally allowed himself to cry and open up to his partner, which feels liberating. However, the chorus repeats the phrase "dragging my heels down Lizard Street," which could represent the singer's reluctance to fully embrace vulnerability and change.

The bridge describes the emotional turmoil the singer is experiencing. He is aware of his negative emotions ("hostile") but also painfully lonely, reflecting the complexity of human emotions. The song ends with a repeated reference to waiting for an epiphany, conveying the singer's longing for a moment of clarity that could help him move forward.

Overall, "Lizard Street" is a poignant anthem for anyone struggling to let go of their pride and open themselves up to love. It encapsulates the paradox of vulnerability: it can be scary and painful but also immensely liberating and rewarding.

Line by Line Meaning

Help me swallow my pride, yeah
Asking for help to relinquish one's ego and accept something with humility.

Wash it down with a kiss, yeah
To make it easier to deal with unpleasant things by associating it with a happier, more pleasing experience.

Manchester dawn, oh, London’s on the radio
Drawing a correlation between two seemingly distinct experiences to find commonalities.

Yesterday, knee deep with the sun on my back and in your eyes
Recalling a cherished moment from the past when everything felt just right.

Well, I hadn't cried for months and
Expressing that something has not elicited an emotional response for a significant period of time.

The salt tasted good on your tongue
Savoring the bittersweet taste of an emotional experience.

And I’ve been dragging my heels down Lizard Street Since day one
Feeling stuck in a rut and not having made much progress since the outset.

Oh, teach me ‘Cause I'm open
Expressing a willingness to learn and grow through new experiences.

Educate yourself (you like, you like ones well)
Encouraging self-education and taking ownership of one's learning process.

I'm hostile but I'm lonely This is how I know that it's so much more than lust now
Acknowledging the complexity of one's emotions and how they inform one's actions and feelings towards others.

′Cause I've been waiting around for an epiphany Since day one, day one, since day one
Hoping that a moment of clarity or insight will come to provide direction and clarity.

Down Lizard Street
Literal reference to the name of a street where the artist feels stuck and stagnant.

′Cause I’ve been waiting around for an epiphany Since day one, since day
Reiterating the desire to have a moment of realization or understanding.

Dragging my heels down Lizard Street
Feeling unmotivated and paralyzed by a sense of indecision and frustration.

′Cause I been waiting around ‘Cause I been waiting around for an epiphany Since day one, since day one
Emphasizing the extent to which the singer is unmoored and seeking answers without much progress or tangible results.

Writer(s): Geordan Reid-campbell, Oscar Jerome Laurence

Contributed by Violet F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS