2012... You Must Be Upgraded
The Flaming Lips feat. Ke$ha & Biz Markie Lyrics


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'Cause I want my ass...
Shit, one more time?

(You must be upgraded, you must be upgraded)
(You must be upgraded)

Well it's 2012, think we're going to hell (you must be upgraded)
Put me under your acid spell (you must be upgraded)
Because I want my mind to be completely toast (you must be upgraded)
When the tides destroy the whole West Coast (you must be upgraded)
Because I want my ass to be jumping, too (you must be upgraded)
Oh, my, my and a boo, hoo, hoo

(You must be upgraded, you must be upgraded)
(You must be upgraded, you must be upgraded)

So with the world ablaze, I'm in an acid haze (you must be upgraded)
And though the end is near, I have no fear (you must be upgraded)
So the deal for me is not the same (you must be upgraded)
I'm having fun, while you're having pain

2012, the morning to the New Year's light
Just save yourself, oh I'll meet you on the other side
Is this the ending, they could have called the fall of man?
Is this the ending, or are we gonna start again?
Are we gonna start again? Are we gonna start again?
Are we gonna start again? Are we gonna start again?
Are we gonna start again? Are we gonna start again?
Are we gonna start again? Are we gonna start

(You must be upgraded) Oh, my, my and a boo, hoo, hoo
(You must be upgraded) Oh, my, my and a boo, hoo, hoo




(You must be upgraded) Oh, my, my and a boo, hoo, hoo
(You must be upgraded)

Overall Meaning

The Flaming Lips Feat. Ke$ha and Biz Markie's "2012" is a song that explores the idea of the end of the world and the desire for an upgrade in order to face it. The lyrics suggest that the world is coming to an end, and instead of being fearful, the singer wants to be upgraded, to have an acid spell cast on them, and to have their mind completely toast. The singer wants to be able to jump and have fun even as the tides destroy the whole West Coast. They are unafraid of the apocalypse and want to enjoy the ride.


Despite the apocalyptic theme of the song, there is a sense of optimism in the lyrics. The singer is not resigned to their fate and is willing to change or be upgraded in order to face the end. While the world may be ablaze, the singer is having fun, unlike the others who are experiencing pain. The chorus of "you must be upgraded" emphasizes the need for change and improvement.


Overall, "2012" is a song that explores themes of the apocalypse, change, and the need for an upgrade in order to face the end. It is a call to action to not be afraid of what is to come, but to be ready for it.


Line by Line Meaning

(You must be upgraded, you must be upgraded)
The song is encouraging listeners to upgrade themselves, possibly through drug use or other methods, in preparation for the end of the world.


(You must be upgraded)
Reinforcement of the message to upgrade oneself.


Well it's 2012, think we're going to hell (you must be upgraded)
The lyrics reference the Mayan calendar and the idea that the world is going to end in 2012, and encourages listeners to upgrade themselves in anticipation.


Put me under your acid spell (you must be upgraded)
The song seems to suggest the use of drugs, specifically acid, as a way to upgrade oneself and prepare for the end of the world.


Because I want my mind to be completely toast (you must be upgraded)
The singer desires to completely alter their mental state, possibly to escape the reality of the impending apocalypse.


When the tides destroy the whole West Coast (you must be upgraded)
The impending destruction of the West Coast due to natural disasters is referenced, implying that upgrading oneself will help prepare for this event.


Because I want my ass to be jumping, too (you must be upgraded)
The song encourages listeners to upgrade themselves so that they can continue to party and have a good time even in the face of global destruction.


So with the world ablaze, I'm in an acid haze (you must be upgraded)
The singer is suggesting that even in the midst of chaos and destruction, they will be high on acid and therefore immune to the world's problems.


And though the end is near, I have no fear (you must be upgraded)
Upgrading oneself will result in a fearless attitude towards the apocalypse.


So the deal for me is not the same (you must be upgraded)
The singer believes that by upgrading themselves, they will be better prepared for the end of the world than those who choose not to upgrade.


2012, the morning to the New Year's light
Referencing the start of the year 2012, and possibly the new beginning that might come after the end of the world.


Just save yourself, oh I'll meet you on the other side
A suggestion to focus on personal survival rather than trying to save others, with the promise of meeting on the other side (possibly the afterlife).


Is this the ending, they could have called the fall of man?
The song questions whether the end of the world is the result of humanity's downfall.


Are we gonna start again? Are we gonna start again?
The song wonders whether humanity will rebuild and start again after the end of the world.


(You must be upgraded) Oh, my, my and a boo, hoo, hoo
Reinforcement of the message to upgrade oneself, mixed with a hint of sarcasm and cynicism.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PEBE SEBERT, WAYNE COHEN, KESHA SEBERT, MARCEL THEO HALL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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