Gilt Complex
Sons and Daughters Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

She has a gilt complex
Break her neck
Now she's run-run-running right over the edge
Had a gilt complex
Poison pen
She's signing her name and she's forgetting her friends
Had a gilt complex
Break her neck
Now she worry-worry-worries for the good of her wealth
This gilt complex
Useless effect
Now she suffer-suffer-suffers, destroying her health

He has a gilt complex
Break his neck
Now he's run-run-running right over the edge
Had a gilt complex
Poison pen
Signing his name
Forgetting his friends
Had a gilt complex
Break his neck
Now he worry-worry-worries for the good of his wealth
This gilt complex
Useless effect
Now he suffer-suffer-suffers destroying himself

All you see is all you'll get
He's trying to buy some kind of medal
He's not sure of all he has but
Avarice is all that he's made of
And everybody knows

She has a gilt complex
Break her neck
Now she's run-run-running right over the edge
Gilt complex
Poison pen
She's signing her name and she's forgetting her friends
Had a gilt complex
Break her neck
Now she worry-worry-worries for the good of her wealth
This gilt complex
Useless effect
Now she suffer-suffer-suffers, destroying herself

All you see is all you'll get
She's trying to buy some kind of medal
She's not sure of all she has but
Avarice is all that she's made of
And everybody knows

Ooh...

What you see is what you'll get
The star, you see, is just made of metal
He's not sure of all he has




But avarice is all that he's made of
And everybody knows

Overall Meaning

The song "Gilt Complex" by Sons and Daughters is a scathing critique of the human desire for material wealth and status, and the destructive effects it can have on individuals and their relationships. The repeated refrain of "gilt complex" refers to the psychological condition of feeling unworthy or insecure and compensating for it with material possessions, signifying a deeper need for validation and acceptance. The lyrics describe a man and a woman who are both consumed by their obsession with money and success, to the point where they have lost touch with their values and true selves.


The opening lines of the song, "She has a gilt complex, break her neck" and "He has a gilt complex, break his neck" are harsh and violent, suggesting that the characters' problems are so severe that extreme measures are necessary to snap them out of their destructive behavior. The use of repetition throughout the song, such as "run-run-running" and "suffer-suffer-suffers," emphasizes the urgency and severity of the situation.


The bridge of the song, "All you see is all you'll get, he's trying to buy some kind of medal," highlights the emptiness and futility of pursuing material possessions as a means of self-worth. The lines "The star you see is just made of metal" and "And everybody knows" imply that the characters' wealth and status are ultimately meaningless, and that their true character and value are judged by their actions and relationships with others.


Overall, "Gilt Complex" is a powerful and provocative commentary on the dangers of greed and materialism in modern society, delivered through the unique blend of punk, rock, and folk influences that characterize Sons and Daughters' music.


Line by Line Meaning

She has a gilt complex
She is obsessed with wealth and material possessions


Break her neck
Stop her from such behavior


Now she's run-run-running right over the edge
Now she has lost control of herself and her actions


Had a gilt complex
She has been preoccupied with money for a while


Poison pen
She is spreading negativity through her words


She's signing her name and she's forgetting her friends
She is so focused on her wealth that she is neglecting her relationships with her loved ones


Now she worry-worry-worries for the good of her wealth
Now she is constantly anxious about the protection and growth of her wealth


This gilt complex
Her obsession with wealth


Useless effect
It is not benefiting her in any way


Now she suffer-suffer-suffers, destroying herself
Now her obsession with money is causing her harm


He has a gilt complex
He is obsessed with wealth and material possessions


Signing his name
He is putting his name on anything that will bring him wealth


Forgetting his friends
He is not paying attention to his relationships because he is focused on his wealth


Now he worry-worry-worries for the good of his wealth
Now he is constantly anxious about the protection and growth of his wealth


Now he's run-run-running right over the edge
Now he has lost control of himself and his actions


Had a gilt complex
He has been preoccupied with money for a while


Break his neck
Stop him from such behavior


This gilt complex
His obsession with wealth


Useless effect
It is not benefiting him in any way


Now he suffer-suffer-suffers destroying himself
Now his obsession with money is causing him harm


All you see is all you'll get
The person's outward appearance and actions will reveal their true nature and intentions


He's trying to buy some kind of medal
He is trying to impress others or validate himself through material possessions


He's not sure of all he has but
He is unsure of the true value and meaning behind his possessions


Avarice is all that he's made of
His obsession with wealth defines his character


And everybody knows
Others have observed and recognized this behavior in him


She's trying to buy some kind of medal
She is trying to impress others or validate herself through material possessions


She's not sure of all she has but
She is unsure of the true value and meaning behind her possessions


Avarice is all that she's made of
Her obsession with wealth defines her character


Ooh...
An interlude of the music


What you see is what you'll get
The person's outward appearance and actions will reveal their true nature and intentions


The star, you see, is just made of metal
The rich and famous are not necessarily admirable; their wealth is just a superficial aspect of their status


He's not sure of all he has
He is unsure of the true value and meaning behind his possessions


But avarice is all that he's made of
His obsession with wealth defines his character


And everybody knows
Others have observed and recognized this behavior in him




Contributed by Jackson G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Sebastian Placer

NHL 09 memories

Archi Barrels

Very fu**n good! From Russia with love

LuKaTo100

NHL 09 <3

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