Peter Bjorn and John were formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1999. Made up of m… Read Full Bio ↴Peter Bjorn and John were formed in Stockholm, Sweden in 1999. Made up of members Peter Morén on vocals, guitar, and harmonica; Björn Yttling on vocals, bass, and keyboards; and John Eriksson on drums, percussion, and vocals. The band has released six albums: "Peter Bjorn and John" (2002), "Falling Out" (2004), "Writer's Block" (2006), "Seaside Rock" (2008), "Living Thing" (2009) and "Gimme Some" (2011). The band is influenced by the sounds of classic '60s baroque pop, power pop, and new wave

The band gained recognition in the United Kingdom and United States during 2006 and 2007 due to the success of their single "Young Folks", whilst staying virtually unknown in their homeland, Sweden.

Tailormade
Peter Bjorn and John Lyrics

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Even little kittens licks the milk they've spoiled
It's laying in my genes to act as I've been told
Even when you saw me cry,
no one there to tell you why
Every glance you threw was always tailormade
When all your friends are gone
you simply won't let yourself fade
If you seem hip it's not your fault,

you're for real, could never be bought

Well I hate to be a downer
but this happens to be the truth
I got lost when you found her
bring me back my youth

The beautiful people never do the right thing wrong
It seems so easy to just be and to belong
I suppose it's jealousy,
when you do things and not with me
But I simply couldn't be something I ain't
Would feel so greasy if I drowned myself in paint
It's so hard to realise, that I'm into telling lies

What is natural to you, what exactly does it mean
what exactly does that word mean to you baby

I've found it, I've found it
I found out I'm grown up, I found out I'm grown up

Overall Meaning

The song "Tailormade" by Peter Bjorn & John is about conformity to society's expectations and the pressure to fit in. The lyrics describe the struggle to be true to oneself while feeling compelled to conform to social norms. The first verse references how even insignificant creatures like kittens follow their instincts, and humans have an inherent tendency to act as they've been instructed. The singer laments about being criticised for being emotional without anyone willing to understand the reason behind it. The chorus suggests the singer feels like all of the attention they receive is fake and just made for them to feel included. The second verse continues with the idea that beautiful people do not make mistakes and conform without issue. The singer seems to feel jealous of this ease of conformity, not wanting to compromise themselves. The bridge discusses the difficulty in accepting oneself and being truthful to others.

The song's overall meaning is open to interpretation, but the message of not feeling like you belong and trying to find your true self is relatable. The lyrics are written in a melancholic and reflective way, further emphasising the introspective message. The idea of the singer feeling like an outsider among 'tailormade' people is reinforced throughout the song.

Line by Line Meaning

Even little kittens licks the milk they've spoiled
I have a natural tendency to follow through with my actions, even if they aren't necessarily productive or good for me

It's laying in my genes to act as I've been told
I have a predisposition to follow rules and societal expectations, even if it goes against my personal desires or feelings

Even when you saw me cry, no one there to tell you why
I feel alone and unsupported in my emotional struggles, even when I am around others

Every glance you threw was always tailormade
You always act and present yourself in a way that is designed to please others, rather than being true to yourself

When all your friends are gone you simply won't let yourself fade
You have a fear of being forgotten or overlooked, and so you try to maintain your image and presence even when you don't have an audience

If you seem hip it's not your fault, you're for real, could never be bought
You have a genuine sense of style and personality that comes naturally to you, rather than being something that is fabricated or purchased

Well I hate to be a downer but this happens to be the truth
I don't want to bring the mood down, but what I'm about to say is true and possibly unpleasant

I got lost when you found her bring me back my youth
I feel like I've lost a sense of my own youthful energy or spirit, and I'm hoping that being around you again will bring it back

The beautiful people never do the right thing wrong It seems so easy to just be and to belong
People who are considered beautiful or popular often have an easier time fitting in and being accepted, regardless of whether or not they are doing the right thing

I suppose it's jealousy, when you do things and not with me
I feel envious or left out when I see you participating in activities or events without me

But I simply couldn't be something I ain't Would feel so greasy if I drowned myself in paint
I wouldn't be comfortable pretending to be someone or something that I'm not, even if it would make me more popular or accepted

It's so hard to realise, that I'm into telling lies
I struggle to acknowledge or accept the fact that I often lie, whether it's to myself or to others

What is natural to you, what exactly does it mean what exactly does that word mean to you baby I've found it, I've found it I found out I'm grown up, I found out I'm grown up
I'm questioning what it truly means to be authentic and true to oneself, and have finally come to the realization that part of growing up is figuring that out

Contributed by Camilla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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