"As with disco dolly/Benitez-era Madonna, the cutesy surface is a disguise … Read Full Bio ↴"As with disco dolly/Benitez-era Madonna, the cutesy surface is a disguise for deep involvement in the local underground dance scene. A writer-producer as well as a singer, you could imagine her penning hits for Kylie or becoming the female Stuart Price. As with Price, there is a facility here with late-period disco, electro-funk and synth-pop."
The Guardian

"Beneath the sugar-coated electro-pop rush of her self-released debut EP Do or Die/Paper Scissors Stone there's a strange mix of more obscure influences."
Dazed and Confused

What's In Your Bag
Ronika Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

what you carry close to you
(your bag!)
the things that i can't see through
(what's in my bag!)
do you carry me round too
(your bag!)
here's how we do it, there's nothing to it
(what's in my bag!)

my mirror, so i can see you in it
my lipstick, so you know where to kiss it
(what's in my bag!)
your mixtape, the one that made my heart ache
(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
we're holding it steady
(you can come to my house baby)
we're walking in tight
(and you can tell me what it's all about)
we're droping it heavy
(you can come to my house baby)
we're rocking all night
(and you can let it all out)
(what's in your bag!)
so what's going on in there
(your bag!)
feels like we are going nowhere
(what's in my bag!)
so we're gonna have to share
(your bag!)
here's how we do it, there's nothing to it
(what's in my bag!)
my wallet, don't own me but i got it
(your bag!)
my paper, to read about my neighbour
(what's in my bag!)
my moblie, so we can chat for awhile
(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
we're holding it steady
(you can come to my house baby)
we're walking in tight
(and you can tell me what it's all about)
we're droping it heavy
(you can come to my house baby)
we're rocking all night
(and you can let it all out)
(you can come to my house baby)
(and you can tell me what it's all about)
(you can come to my house baby)
(and you can let it all out)
(you can come to my house baby)
(and you can tell me what it's all about)
(you can come to my house baby)
(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
we're holding it steady
we're walking in tight
we're droping it heavy
we're rocking all night
(what's in your bag!)
(you can come to my house baby)
(your bag!)
(what's in my bag!)

(you can come to my house baby)
(your bag!)

Overall Meaning

In Ronika's song "What's In Your Bag," the singer is intrigued by what the person they are talking to carries in their bag. The things we carry with us can be revealing, and the singer believes what is in their companion's bag can provide insight into their character. The singer lists some things they carry in their own bag, such as a mirror so the other person can see themselves, lipstick, and a mixtape that made their heart ache. They want to know what the other person has in their bag, and they suggest they share their belongings. The last part of the song seems like an invitation to come to the singer's house and let it all out.

This song can be interpreted in many ways. Perhaps the singer is trying to say that we are all carrying our past experiences or emotional baggage with us. These things are not always visible, but they can affect our behavior or relationships with others. Another interpretation could be that the singer wants to get to know the other person better and believes that what is in their bag can reveal things about them. The invitation at the end of the song suggests a willingness to be vulnerable and open.

Line by Line Meaning

what you carry close to you
Asking about the things that are important to you and that you always carry with you everywhere.

(your bag!)
Referring to the bag that contains all of your important belongings.

the things that i can't see through
Curious about the things that are inside the bag and not easily visible from the outside.

(what's in my bag!)
Repeating the question about what important belongings are in the bag.

do you carry me round too
Asking if you value the relationship enough to include it as one of the important things in your bag.

(your bag!)
Re-emphasizing the importance of the bag in your life.

here's how we do it, there's nothing to it
Asserting that understanding the importance of the contents of your bag is easy to do.

(what's in my bag!)
Asking again what things are inside the bag.

my mirror, so i can see you in it
One of the things inside the bag is a mirror that allows you to see the person you are with.

my lipstick, so you know where to kiss it
Another important belonging in the bag is lipstick, allowing the person to easily identify where to kiss you.

(what's in my bag!)
Repeating the question again to emphasize its importance.

your mixtape, the one that made my heart ache
Revealing that the other person's mixtape, which was emotionally moving, is also an important belonging in the bag.

(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
Encouraging the person to understand the importance of the mixtape and how it affects the singer.

we're holding it steady
Walking together with purpose towards the singer's house.

(you can come to my house baby)
Inviting the other person over to the singer's house.

we're walking in tight
Walking close together, showing a strong connection.

(and you can tell me what it's all about)
Encouraging the other person to open up and share their thoughts and feelings.

we're droping it heavy
Surprising the other person with a great time at the singer's house.

(you can come to my house baby)
Repeating the invitation to come over to the singer's place.

we're rocking all night
Assuring that the night will be full of fun and excitement.

(and you can let it all out)
Encouraging the other person to release their emotions and have a great time.

(what's in your bag!)
Turning the focus on the other person's belongings and asking them what they carry in their bag.

(your bag!)
Emphasizing the importance of the bag to the other person.

feels like we are going nowhere
Feeling as though progress in the relationship has stagnated and isn't moving forward.

(what's in my bag!)
Refocusing on the importance of the belongings in the singer's bag.

so we're gonna have to share
Deciding to share the belongings in both of the person's bags to create a better connection.

(your bag!)
Emphasizing that the other person needs to share what is inside their bag as well.

we're holding it steady
Moving forward with purpose towards the singer's home.

(you can come to my house baby)
Inviting the other person to the singer's house again.

my wallet, don't own me but i got it
One of the things inside the singer's bag is their wallet, which they believe doesn't define them, but it is important to have.

(your bag!)
Continuing to emphasize the importance of the other person's bag.

my paper, to read about my neighbour
Another belonging inside the singer's bag is a newspaper or some other reading material to keep up to date with the neighborhood gossip.

(what's in my bag!)
Reiterating the question of what is inside the singer's bag.

my mobile, so we can chat for awhile
One of the things in the singer's bag is a mobile phone, which is used to chat with the other person.

(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
Reaffirming the importance of the mobile phone and its ability to bring people closer together.

we're holding it steady
Continuing to confidently make their way towards the singer's house.

(you can come to my house baby)
Inviting the other person to the singer's house again.

we're walking in tight
Walking closely and intimately together.

(and you can tell me what it's all about)
Encouraging further conversation and an open exchange of thoughts and feelings.

we're droping it heavy
Promising to provide an unforgettable experience for the other person.

(you can come to my house baby)
Inviting the other person once again to the singer's house.

we're rocking all night
Assuring that the night will be filled with exciting activities and entertainment.

(and you can let it all out)
Encouraging the other person to relax and be themselves.

(you can come to my house baby)
Ending with one final invitation to the other person to come to the singer's house.

(get it, get it, gotta gotta get it)
A final reaffirmation of the importance of the belongings inside both people's bags in bringing them closer together.

(what's in your bag!)
Final question asking the other person what important belongings they carry in their bag.

(your bag!)
Final emphasis on the importance of the contents of the other person's bag.

Writer(s): Veronica Clare Sampson, Richard Martin Douglas

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

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