London
The Breeders Lyrics

The Breeders' song "London" presents an ambiguous, almost dreamlike soundscape where the singer reflects on the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and societal conventions. The song begins with the lines "Victory's a blue and bruisin' voice. I'm leaking pure white noise." These cryptic phrases might suggest that winning or achieving goals can come at a cost, perhaps a violent one, and that the singer's thoughts and emotions are too loud and jumbled to make sense of them. This theme of internal chaos continues as the singer notes that "Mercy here gets meaner overnight" and that there is something irresistible and thrilling about "Misery's fun, I'm kissing everyone." However, the singer also recognizes that there are limits and consequences to their behavior, hence the line "I gotta hold my tongue."

The second half of the song is a more stream-of-consciousness reflection on social norms, materialism, and identity. The line "It's Jersey sheer, it's outta sight" might refer to the specific culture of the state of New Jersey, often stereotyped as flashy and tacky, while also connecting to the idea of transparency or sheer fabric revealing one's true self. The singer seems to question the value and meaning of buying and selling things, singing "I won't pay, I won't say it's love for sale" and "I won't hide, it's just a wave I'm riding." Overall, the song presents a snapshot of someone who is trying to navigate their desires, fears, and social roles in a world that can be both exciting and dangerous.