Despite Ghost itself garnering mixed reviews, "Red Lips" received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who complimented its overall production. However, the track failed to impact any national record charts. An accompanying music video for "Red Lips" was directed by Terry Richardson, and was premiered through Richardson's YouTube channel on June 12, 2012. Critics directed their commentaries towards Ferreira's increasingly risqué public persona, shifting from the more innocent image with which she launched her career.
Red Lips
Sky Ferreira Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're ten a penny
Cheap shot
Spreading your legs
For the boys
Watch out
Cause someone will beat you the same
Freak out
Wash out your mouth
Such a big girl
Such big news
Such a big talk
Your number is up
If you like it or not
What a shock
Little bitch
Growing so bored of your face
Cause sooner or later you don't
Enough for the ones
And no one remembers your name
Too bad
Mmmmmmmm
Such a confidence
Such a big girl
Such big news
Such a big talk
Your number is up
If you like it or not
Your number is up
If you like it or not
Take a walk
Such a big girl
Such big news
Such a big talk
Your number is up
If you like it or not
Your number is up
If you like it or not
Your number is up
If you like it or not
What a shock
The lyrics of Sky Ferreira's "Red Lips" demonstrate a confrontation of a woman who is seen as promiscuous and using her sexuality to advance in society. The opening line, "You're ten a penny," implies that this woman is common and easily accessible. The next line stating, "Cheap shot" implies that she is manipulating the situation for her own gain. The line, "Spreading your legs for the boys," directly accuses the woman of using her sexuality to get ahead.
The next line, "Watch out cause someone will beat you the same," is a warning to the woman that using her body for personal gain can lead to being taken advantage of. The phrase, "Freak out" adds an element of instability or insecurity to the singer's voice. "Wash out your mouth" is a bit of advice or reprimand for the woman being addressed in the song.
The chorus, "Such a big girl, such big news, such big talk, your number is up if you like it or not" repeats, emphasizing the idea that the woman may have reached a high point of success, but ultimately will face the consequences of her actions. The final line of the song, "Take a walk," could be interpreted as a final word, a dismissal or a rude way of saying "goodbye."
Line by Line Meaning
Red Lips
The title refers to the person being addressed or mentioned having red lips.
You're ten a penny
You are very common, not special or unique.
Cheap shot
An unfair or underhanded attack.
Spreading your legs
Engaging in sexual activity with various partners.
For the boys
Doing this sexual activity to impress or please boys.
Watch out
Be careful, because something bad might happen.
Cause someone will beat you the same
Someone will treat you the way you treat others, in this case sexually or through exploitation.
Freak out
Reacting excessively or with anxiety, possibly because of guilt or fear.
Mmmmmmmm
A sound used to express pleasure, satisfaction or relaxation.
Wash out your mouth
Cleanse your speech or stop saying things that are offensive or vulgar.
Such a big girl
A sarcastic or mocking remark implying that the person being addressed is not mature or responsible.
Such big news
A sarcastic or mocking remark implying that the person being addressed is not important or significant.
Such a big talk
A sarcastic or mocking remark implying that the person being addressed talks too much and is full of themselves.
Your number is up
Your time has passed or you have been found out.
If you like it or not
Whether you want to admit it or not.
What a shock
A sarcastic or mocking remark implying that the person being addressed is not surprising.
Little bitch
An insulting name given to the person being addressed, implying that they are weak, submissive, or undeserving of respect.
Growing so bored of your face
The singer is tired of seeing or hearing about the person being addressed.
Cause sooner or later you don't
The person being addressed will no longer be interesting or relevant.
Enough for the ones
The person being addressed is only attractive enough for a certain type of person.
And no one remembers your name
The person being addressed is not memorable, significant, or important to others.
Too bad
An expression of disappointment, usually when something negative happens to the person being addressed.
Take a walk
Leave or go away, because the singer is done dealing with the person being addressed.
Such a confidence
A sarcastic or mocking remark implying that the person being addressed is undeserving of their confidence or self-assurance.
Contributed by Isaiah R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hannah Collman
I was 14/15 when this was released and I remember feeling so badass listening to this song. It made me think “when I’m older, I’m going to be just like this girl” and yet, here I am in my mid-twenties, completely unbadass, reminiscing in my penguin dressing gown and matching slippers as I sip on hot chocolate - but not too hot because I have sensitive teeth.
SLASHER amc
lmao, I was always realistic
kleinsbottle
Get her!
aurora.rockets
@Edwardo Manuel thank you, I think so too ♥️ and what a 2012 thing to say
Edwardo Manuel
COOL STORY BRO
Novads
I lived this exact experience
IN THE VEIN Tuitau
She reminds me of the Legendary King of Grunge, the late grate Kurt Cobain. And a bit of Courtney. Her looks. Her deep raspy voice. Her style is very grungy and I love it. Her lyrics of emotional, physical, and mentally abusive men is what also won me over. Love the fact that her grunge look is so authentic that there is no trace of glamour, it's a real grunge look. She may not be no Cobain, but she sure does remind me of him. Fucking jealous of her grunge look and that hair.. I love it.
cosmic_vibes 666
IN THE VEIN Tuitau ( . . . ) no
Lula Wolf
Sky reinvents herself in every song that she sings. Every reinvention greater than the last but no better than the first.
amanda albrecht
billie eilish thinking she's unique with that spider...smh respect the queen