THERE SHOULD BE UNICORNS
The Flaming Lips Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
It should be loud as fuck
Hope the swans don't die
There should be burning sun
And naked slaves
And if the police show up
We'll give them so much money it will make them cry
And forgive us

Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes

Yeah, there should be day glow strippers
Ones from the Amazon
Some edible butterflies
We put ketchup on
Some motorcycle stunts
That always crash
And if the police show up
We'll bribe them into helping us steal the light of love
From the rainbow sluts that live next door

Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes

At first there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes, not the ones with green eyes
Whatever they give them, they shit everywhere
And it would be great if the moon was almost down
Like in a very red/orange state
Let's leave it like that for at least three hours,
Hovering just above the horizon
And if the police show up,
We will give them so much money that they can retire from their shitty,
Violent jobs and live the greatest life they've ever lived
And we will be high and the love generator will be turned up to its maximum
And we'll get higher, when at last,
The sun comes up in the morning and we will collapse under the weight of the ancient earth




And it will be inside me and it will be inside you
And it will be the end of the world and the beginning of a new love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Flaming Lips' song "There Should Be Unicorns" depict a fantastical and hedonistic utopia where vibrant and magical beings exist. The mention of unicorns with purple eyes suggests a sense of enchantment and mysticism, contrasting with the green-eyed ones. The song yearns for a world filled with extravagant sensory experiences, depicted through vivid imagery. The desire for loud music, burning sun, and naked slaves reflects an indulgent and uninhibited existence.


The lyrics also touch on power dynamics and corruption, as the idea of bribing the police is mentioned. This suggests a society where money holds significant influence and people can buy their way out of trouble. The concept of stealing the "light of love" from the neighboring rainbow sluts reveals a subversive desire to challenge societal norms and possess something rare and cherished.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, there should be unicorns
There should be fantastical and extraordinary beings in our world


The ones with the purple eyes
These unicorns should possess rare and captivating qualities


It should be loud as fuck
The atmosphere should be filled with overwhelming noise and energy


Hope the swans don't die
We desire to maintain the beauty and harmony of nature


There should be burning sun
The sun should radiate intense heat and brilliance


And naked slaves
There should be a lack of inhibition and freedom of expression


And if the police show up
In the presence of authority figures


We'll give them so much money it will make them cry
We will generously compensate them to elicit an emotional response


And forgive us
We hope they will pardon our unconventional actions


Yeah, there should be day glow strippers
We envision vibrant and illuminating performers


Ones from the Amazon
Originating from exotic and remote locations


Some edible butterflies
We desire unusual and whimsical experiences


We put ketchup on
We add unexpected and unconventional elements to these experiences


Some motorcycle stunts
Thrilling and risky performances


That always crash
Even though they result in failure or mishaps


And if the police show up
In the presence of authority figures


We'll bribe them into helping us steal the light of love
We will persuade them to assist us in capturing and embracing the essence of love


From the rainbow sluts that live next door
Extracting love from those who are carefree and unconventional


At first there should be unicorns
Initially, we desire the presence of extraordinary beings


The ones with the purple eyes, not the ones with green eyes
We specifically desire unicorns with captivating qualities, distinguishing them from others


Whatever they give them, they shit everywhere
Regardless of what they consume, they leave behind a mess


And it would be great if the moon was almost down
We find it desirable for the moon to be low on the horizon


Like in a very red/orange state
Emitting a warm and intense color


Let's leave it like that for at least three hours
We wish for this particular state to persist for an extended period


Hovering just above the horizon
Suspended slightly above the Earth's edge


And if the police show up
In the presence of authority figures


We will give them so much money that they can retire from their shitty, violent jobs
We will offer them a significant amount of wealth to leave behind their burdened and aggressive occupations


And live the greatest life they've ever lived
To experience the fullest and most fulfilling existence


And we will be high
Our state of mind will be altered, likely through drug-induced euphoria


And the love generator will be turned up to its maximum
Our ability to generate and experience love will be intensified to the highest level


And we'll get higher
Our heightened state of consciousness and emotions will escalate even further


When at last, the sun comes up in the morning
With the sunrise, symbolizing new beginnings and hope


And we will collapse under the weight of the ancient earth
We will succumb to the profound connection and significance of our existence


And it will be inside me and it will be inside you
The profound impact of this experience will be deeply ingrained within us


And it will be the end of the world and the beginning of a new love
This transformative event will mark the conclusion of our current reality and the commencement of a profound love




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEVEN DROZD, WAYNE COYNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Dogstar 74

[Wayne Coyne:]
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
It should be loud as fuck
Hope the swans don't die
There should be burning sun
And naked slaves
And if the police show up
We'll give them so much money it will make them cry
And forgive us

Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes

Yeah, there should be day glow strippers
Ones from the Amazon
Some edible butterflies
We put ketchup on
Some motorcycle stunts
That always crash
And if the police show up
We'll bribe them into helping us steal the light of love
From the rainbow sluts that live next door

Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes
Yeah, there should be unicorns
The ones with the purple eyes
Not the green eyes

[Reggie Watts:]
At first there should be unicorns. The ones with the purple eyes, not the ones with green eyes. Whatever they give them, they shit everywhere. And it would be great if the moon was almost down. Like in a very red/orange state. Let's leave it like that for at least three hours, hovering just above the horizon. And if the police show up we will give them so much money that they can retire from their shitty, violent jobs and live the greatest life they've ever lived. And we will be high and the love generator will be turned up to its maximum. And we'll get higher when, at last, the sun comes up in the morning and we will collapse under the weight of the ancient earth. And it will be inside me and it will be inside you. And it will be the end of the world and the beginning of a new love



All comments from YouTube:

lleon79

I love this band.

Sheila Perry

https://lowkey.gg/v/40ffb3e1-f86a-4362-907f-2a530cdc6e36

Anderson Roberto dos Santos

Too much love involved

jetfa9

meh...this record is not very good. its like at war with the mystics...

Mick Jones

Love the band, but the guys in green wigs are cheesy. haven't liked them since they came around.

Hypnoswede

It's all about love and balling man... Jackie Rogers JR.

3 More Replies...

Dethmobile

Another brilliant tune from a brilliant album. Peace and love <3

Cameron Melville

Fanatic since '95, saw them live for the first time last night in Saskatoon Canada... A M A Z I N G ! ! ! Love love love love.

remember the alamo!!!

I have loved them since the beginning! I'm loving this song! It's fun watching them evolve

remember the alamo!!!

Rad, I'm afraid the only one in danger of being gay is you, my friend

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