Raised under the wet and grey Belgian skies, much of Lorenzo Cook’s upbring… Read Full Bio ↴Raised under the wet and grey Belgian skies, much of Lorenzo Cook’s upbringing was spent an ocean away from where his passport said he was from. Growing up as an American expat in the heart of Europe, Lorenzo was introduced to a world of music that would otherwise have never met his ears by a wide range of international friends and musicians whom he spent most of teenage years with. His parents, well versed in music and keen to play NPR’s All Songs Considered at the dinner table, helped Cook’s appreciation and fascination with American music grow as well.
Upon turning 18 and moving out to Syracuse, NY to pursue his academics, Cook was met with a vibrant local music scene the likes of which he had never felt in Brussels. A home found in basement shows and the will to not only make music, but be part of a new and exciting culture of ‘do it yourself’ diligence.

After two years, and two bedroom-recorded albums under the name Spark Alaska, it was time to break out of the quiet and comfortable shell Cook had made for himself.

Equipped with an old Peavey guitar, a microphone that had never been yelled into before, and a handful of musician friends to take over for Lorenzo’s inept rhythmic abilities, Petite League was born. It was the snotty, noisey music that Cook had always wanted to make.

Little Fourth of July
Petite League Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I call you Little Fourth of July
A broken cloudy day still lights up the sky
I bled out of the tiger's mouth
When I was 17, when I was 17

I love you like a wasp loves honey
Sell my soul for some of that Young Money
I love you like an upstate winter

Makes my word go from sweet to bitter

I've seen the world spin
I've seen the suburban sin
I wrote about growing pains through a Sparkling youth
When I was 17, when I was 17.

I love you like a wasp loves honey
Sell my soul for some of that Young Money

I love you like an upstate winter
Makes my word go from sweet to bitter

Overall Meaning

The song Little Fourth of July by Petite League is a catchy tune that offers a metaphorical reflection on antithesis. The singer calls someone “Little Fourth of July” which is contradictory in itself because the “Fourth of July” is a day of celebration and happiness yet when used in conjunction with ‘little’, it seems to connote insignificance or something unimportant. The cloudy day mentioned in the lyrics highlights this idea of contradiction, that the day is cloudy yet still lighting up the sky, in the same way, the love the singer has for the person referred to as “Little Fourth of July” is complicated and hard to read.

The singer then goes on to describe how he “bled out of the tiger's mouth” when he was 17. This is a metaphor for going through difficult times or experiencing pain, which can give birth to something greater. It is a reminder of when the singer was at a low point but eventually, he overcame it and grew from it. The next verses continue with the theme of antithesis, comparing love to a wasp’s love for honey, selling one’s soul for Young Money, and the feeling of an upstate winter making one’s words go from sweet to bitter. All these comparisons show that love and life are not always straightforward or simple, and there are often unexpected twists and turns, like the antithesis in the song.

Overall, the song ‘Little Fourth of July’ offers an insightful and poetic reflection on perception and contradictions. Through the antithetical imagery and metaphors, the song suggests that life is not always black and white, and the meaning behind a statement may be more complex than what is seen on the surface. The lyrics also remind the listener that life is full of ups and downs, and it is how we grow from our lowest moments that really matters.

Line by Line Meaning

I call you Little Fourth of July
You remind me of a day that, despite not being perfect, is still celebrated for all its worth.

A broken cloudy day still lights up the sky
Even when it seems like everything is falling apart, there's still something beautiful in the midst of it all.

I bled out of the tiger's mouth
I went through something traumatic, like being attacked by a fierce animal.

When I was 17, when I was 17
This event happened when I was young, inexperienced, and vulnerable.

I love you like a wasp loves honey
My affection for you is intense, but it also has the potential to sting me in the end.

Sell my soul for some of that Young Money
I would go to extreme lengths or sacrifice my values for material wealth or success.

I love you like an upstate winter
My feelings for you are just as cold and harsh as a winter in a northern state.

Makes my word go from sweet to bitter
Being around you changes my demeanor from kind and gentle to negative and spiteful.

I've seen the world spin
I've experienced the ups and downs of life and how it can feel like the world is turning against you.

I've seen the suburban sin
I've witnessed the darkness that can exist even in seemingly idyllic suburban areas.

I wrote about growing pains through a Sparkling youth
I've expressed my journey through the struggles of youth in a way that's both dazzling and poignant.

When I was 17, when I was 17.
I captured this experience in my art when I was still innocent and idealistic.

Contributed by Charlie M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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