Kick Jump Twist
Sylvan Esso Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kick the shoes off fast now
They're going insane
All the kids on the block, yeah
They want that fame
Twisting like a cab now
They're loving their pain
Jumping burning high, yeah
Practiced alone for days

They want all the invisible eyes on them
They want all the invisible eyes

Now aren't you gonna do the dance for the camera
Dance for the shutterbug
Dance for your mama
Dance with a kick jump twist
Kick jump twist

Sway into the sequence
Oh but they look good, yeah
Mascara dripping slow down
Oh but they turning your way

Dance for the camera
Dance for the shutterbug
Dance for your mama
Dance with a kick jump twist
Kick jump twist

But what if they call you?
Then you'll go away
The highway, an airport
Everyday
You don't care, you're moving anyway
Everyday
Kick jump twist
Kick jump twist

Kick for your mama
Kick for the shutterbug
Kick for the camera
Kick, jump, twist

They want all the invisible eyes on them
They want all the invisible eyes

They want all the invisible eyes on them
They want all the invisible eyes

Now aren't you gonna do the dance for the camera
Dance for the shutterbug
Dance for your mama
Dance the kick jump twist





Kick jump twist
Kick jump twist

Overall Meaning

The song "Kick Jump Twist" by Sylvan Esso is an energetic, upbeat track that celebrates the joy of dancing and performing, while also questioning the motivations behind those actions. The lyrics describe a group of young people who are eager to gain attention and approval, practicing their dance moves alone for days before showing off in public. They want to be seen by "invisible eyes," and to be recognized for their talents and hard work.


The chorus encourages the listener to join in, to "do the dance for the camera" and to kick, jump, and twist with abandon. However, there is a sense of melancholy or uncertainty beneath the surface; the idea that fame might come at a cost, that the performers might have to leave their homes and families, and that they might be sacrificing something important in their pursuit of recognition. The chorus repeats the line "they want all the invisible eyes on them" several times, as if questioning the value of this desire.


Line by Line Meaning

Kick the shoes off fast now
Quickly take off your shoes


They're going insane
People on the block are becoming crazy about something


All the kids on the block, yeah
All young people living around the area


They want that fame
They crave fame


Twisting like a cab now
Swerving around like a taxi


They're loving their pain
Enjoying the pain they're experiencing


Jumping burning high, yeah
Jumping energetically and excitedly


Practiced alone for days
Repeated the activity alone for a long time


They want all the invisible eyes on them
They want all the attention


Now aren't you gonna do the dance for the camera
You should dance for the camera


Dance for the shutterbug
Dance for the photographer


Dance for your mama
Dance for your mother


Dance with a kick jump twist
Dance with a specific move


Sway into the sequence
Move to the rhythm


Oh but they look good, yeah
They appear attractive


Mascara dripping slow down
Mascara is running down slowly


Oh but they turning your way
Other people are starting to notice them


But what if they call you?
What if someone contacts you?


Then you'll go away
You'll leave


The highway, an airport
Places you might travel to


Everyday
Each day


You don't care, you're moving anyway
You're indifferent and still on the move


Kick for your mama
Kick for your mother


Kick for the shutterbug
Kick for the photographer


Kick for the camera
Kick for the camera


Kick, jump, twist
Perform the specific move


They want all the invisible eyes on them
They want all the attention


Now aren't you gonna do the dance for the camera
You should dance for the camera


Dance for the shutterbug
Dance for the photographer


Dance for your mama
Dance for your mother


Dance the kick jump twist
Perform the specific dance move


Kick jump twist
Perform the specific move repeatedly




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NICHOLAS SANBORN, AMELIA MEATH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Todd Marshall

The percussion in this song is amazing, I wish they would make more songs that are this ambitious with percussion!

Sauce Stache

Im so stoked about all this new music from you two!!! I think I've played the last album a few times every week for the last 2 years!! This is so exciting!!!

wiwici

like ervy other day

Shane Oshea

I absolutely love this. The message is so real and it's just so expressive. Thanks so much for making this!

Sara Goldberg

This is spectacular! So well done. I love how you two incorporate dance so much in your videos.

Heather B

THANK YOU NPR TINY DESK SERIES FOR having that candid frozen moment shot of SE's Amelia all face contorted! That image caught my attention just this last Sunday, & I decided to press play! Wowie zowie! Spellbound by these two people!! I love the sounds they create w technology & Amelia's otherworldly vox!! Then!! To top it off, watched them live on WKEP?(Seattle alt radio) & they mentioned a band called PORCHES & been strung out on them too! Overall, a killer week for discovering new sounds! Not much better than new sounds flowing thru this device & the car stereo & in & out thru my guts

Erik Davis

Really incredible music video - if I tried moving like that I would snap into 20 pieces.

Lena Corbisier

This dancer is amazing!!!

Lady Cormix

Theyre just absolutely beautiful!

Todd Marshall

"This is about jumping through hoops trying to get people to love you. Be it practicing your dance moves and sexy face in the mirror, or prepping your audition for RuPaul's Drag Race. It's a song about how we perform our lives — and also, about being in a band and touring forever." Amelia Meath https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/04/28/525858383/sylvan-esso-just-wants-you-to-be-free

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