Seven or Eleven
The Hubbards Lyrics

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I put my clothes on, I take them off
I buy some new ones without a thought
Beggars can't be choosers but I'm on my knees
Show me something that I haven't bought this week

Any color, any size
To match your haircut or complexion or your eyes
And nothing says success like an excessive waste

I'm sure I'll find another suit to suit my taste
It doesn't really suit me anyway

Tell me that you love my style
Say you like my figure
Seven or eleven
Or maybe even bigger
Oh, tell me where you got your outfit from
Oh, tell me where you got your outfit from

I saw a film once, so I got the book
And read the first page then I had enough
Maybe I could finish it another day
Maybe it gets better on the second page

Satisfaction guaranteed
Buy a hundred then a hundred more and get one free
Make sure I tell all my friends I got it first
Show me what you really think your money's worth
Show you what I think I'm really worth

I could buy a raincoat, but I can't change the weather
And I don't want to hurt you but I look so good in leather
Take my money now because when it's gone, it's gone
Baby, if you break it get a better one

I never thought that I'd need to mention
I don't care about these things, I'm craving some attention
Then you told me in the back seat
Of your friends' car that you loved me
Maybe you should get a better one

Tell me that you love my style
Say you like my figure
Seven or eleven
Or maybe even bigger
Oh, tell me where you got your outfit from
Oh, tell me where you got your outfit from

In my bottom draw I keep a string of things I never use
And there's space for just one more
So tell me where your outfit's from
And I'll buy it again and again, and again, and again

I really like your style
And girl I would kill for that figure
Seven or eleven seems far too big
But I'm dying for bigger
Now tell me

Oh, where'd you really get your outfit from?
Oh, tell me where you got your outfit from

I don't need it but I want it
Tell me where'd you get your outfit from?

Overall Meaning

The Hubbards's "Seven or Eleven" is a satirical take on consumer culture, where the singer seems to derive his identity and self-worth through material possessions. The song starts with the singer talking about how he mindlessly buys clothes, changing them whenever he wants. He is looking for something that would impress him, something fancy that he hasn't got in the past week. He goes on to say that nothing shows success like an excessive waste, and how he is sure he will find another suit to suit his taste. He further adds that even if the suit doesn't suit him well, it doesn't matter. The singer's obsession with clothing and its impression on others is ironic and reveals the excesses and shallow aspects of the consumer culture.

The chorus of "Seven or Eleven" seems to illustrate a parody on traditional courtship, where the singer's concern is not love or companionship but rather superficial qualities that could satisfy him. He wants to impress the person he is interested in, by copying their style or by being dressed in the most expensive attire that he could find. The chorus highlights the singer's desperation for attention and validation, even if it means being dishonest with his own feelings. When he finally receives the affirmation he is looking for, it still rings hollow because he is still driven by his material desires.

Line by Line Meaning

I put my clothes on, I take them off
I easily forget about the things I have and quickly move on to newer ones

I buy some new ones without a thought
I acquire items without considering their actual value

Beggars can't be choosers but I'm on my knees
I am desperate for someone's attention and admiration

Show me something that I haven't bought this week
I am constantly seeking new things to gain validation and status

Any color, any size
I don't care about the quality or fit of what I buy as long as it looks new and fashionable

To match your haircut or complexion or your eyes
These items are meant to compliment and enhance my physical appearance

And nothing says success like an excessive waste
The more I spend and waste, the more successful I feel

I'm sure I'll find another suit to suit my taste
I am always confident that there will be more things to buy that will satisfy me

It doesn't really suit me anyway
I am not truly happy with what I have and will continue to look for more

Tell me that you love my style
I seek constant validation from others for my fashion choices

Say you like my figure
I want others to acknowledge my physical appearance and have their approval

Seven or eleven
I am willing to go to any extreme to obtain the items I desire

Or maybe even bigger
I am always searching for more extravagant and expensive items

Oh, tell me where you got your outfit from
I want to know where others got their things and potentially buy the same for myself

I saw a film once, so I got the book
I tend to acquire things just for the sake of having them or to fit in with others

And read the first page then I had enough
I quickly lose interest in things and move on to something else

Maybe I could finish it another day
I am a procrastinator and do not take action to follow through with things

Maybe it gets better on the second page
I always hold onto the hope that things will improve, even if I don't actually intend to see it through

Satisfaction guaranteed
I rely on promises and guarantees from companies to ensure my happiness with their products

Buy a hundred then a hundred more and get one free
I am willing to spend more money just to get more things, even if I don't really need them

Make sure I tell all my friends I got it first
I want others to see me as a trendsetter and be admired for my material possessions

Show me what you really think your money's worth
I want to see the tangible value in the things I buy, even if it is just for external validation

I could buy a raincoat, but I can't change the weather
I often buy things that are not actually practical, but will make me look good

And I don't want to hurt you but I look so good in leather
I am willing to prioritize my own appearance over the comfort or opinions of others

Take my money now because when it's gone, it's gone
I am not cautious with my spending and am willing to let it all go quickly

Baby, if you break it get a better one
I am willing to replace any item I lose or break, no matter the cost

I never thought that I'd need to mention
I am surprised that I need to express my need for attention and validation

I don't care about these things, I'm craving some attention
I am willing to spend money frivolously only to be noticed and praised by others

Then you told me in the back seat of your friend's car that you loved me
I only feel validated when others show me attention or express their appreciation for me

Maybe you should get a better one
I do not appreciate or feel genuine affection from others, and always want more

In my bottom draw I keep a string of things I never use
I have a lot of things that I do not need, simply because I want to have them

And there's space for just one more
I am constantly searching for more things to add to my collection

I really like your style
I want you to know that I appreciate something about you so you will also appreciate something about me

And girl I would kill for that figure
I am envious of others and their attributes that I do not possess

Seven or eleven seems far too big
I have unrealistic standards and desire things that are unattainable

But I'm dying for bigger
I always want more and am never truly satisfied with what I have

I don't need it but I want it
I am impulsive and do not make logical or necessary purchases

Tell me where'd you get your outfit from?
I always want to know where others get their things so I can get them too

Contributed by Charlotte P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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