Discography:
1995 - Sleater-Kinney (Chainsaw)
1996 - Call the Doctor (Chainsaw)
1997 - Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars)
1999 - The Hot Rock (Kill Rock Stars)
2000 - All Hands on the Bad One (Kill Rock Stars)
2002 - One Beat (Kill Rock Stars)
2005 - The Woods (Sub Pop)
2015 - No Cities to Love (Sub Pop)
2019 - The Center Won't Hold (Mom+Pop)
2021 - Path of Wellness (Mom+Pop)
Sold Out
Sleater-Kinney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On a magazine cover
Take it, it's my body
Take it, I want money
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Watch me go nowhere
Sucking on his dick
Fuck it, I want money
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
I see the way you look at girls
You think that I don't know it
I know what you want from me
I know what you want from me
Sold out, do do you wanna it
On a magazine cover
Take it, it's my body
Ooh ooh, I don't wanna
betray the things that I believe in
The song "Sold Out" by Sleater-Kinney has been interpreted in different ways. However, one of the most common interpretations is that the song speaks to the pressures that women face in the music industry to be sexually desirable and commercially successful. The song seems to be an ironic commentary on the fashion and beauty standards that the media imposes on women. The opening line, "Sold out, do you wanna it on a magazine cover" suggests that women are expected to sell their bodies for fame and recognition. The repeated phrase, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend," is believed to refer to the idea that women must be adorned with fancy things to be valuable.
The song also references the idea that women are often reduced to sexual objects in the music industry. The line, "Wanna be a star, watch me go nowhere, sucking on his dick, fuck it, I want money" suggests that women are expected to use their sexuality to advance in the industry, regardless of their actual musical talents or creativity. The song seems to be a commentary on this double standard and the sacrifices that women have to make to be taken seriously.
Line by Line Meaning
Sold out, do do you wanna it
The artist is questioning whether the audience truly wants her to sell out her music and image for commercial success.
On a magazine cover
The artist is contemplating the possibility of being featured on a magazine cover to gain widespread publicity and exposure.
Take it, it's my body
The artist is willing to sacrifice her personal values and self-respect to achieve the desired monetary outcome.
Take it, I want money
The artist is prioritizing financial gain over artistic credibility and integrity.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend
The artist is acknowledging society's perception that material possessions are integral to attaining happiness and success.
Wanna be a star
The artist's ultimate ambition is to achieve mainstream fame and recognition.
Watch me go nowhere
The artist fears that her attempts to attain fame and financial success may ultimately lead to disappointment and unfulfillment.
Sucking on his dick
The artist is criticizing the exploitation and objectification of women in the music industry for the sake of commercial gain.
Fuck it, I want money
The artist is expressing her disregard for the consequences of her actions as long as they result in financial profit.
I see the way you look at girls
The artist is aware of the audience's expectation for women in the music industry to conform to a specific physical appearance and image.
You think that I don't know it
The artist is calling out the audience's underlying expectations and assumptions about female artists.
I know what you want from me
The artist acknowledges that the audience expects her to conform to their expectations and desires for the sake of her popularity and commercial success.
Ooh ooh, I don't wanna
Despite being aware of the audience's expectations, the artist is still hesitant and resistant to compromising her artistic integrity for financial gain.
Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.