The Kooks formed at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, where they were all students. Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Luke Pritchard, got bassist Max Rafferty involved in a college project, which formed the base of the band. After getting lead guitarist Hugh Harris and drummer Paul Garred involved, they took their name from the song Kooks on the 1971 David Bowie album Hunky Dory. When they tried to trademark the name, they found that in the late/mid 1990s a Swedish band by the same name released an album in Sweden called Too Much is Not Enough.
The Kooks released a debut EP and played gigs around Brighton, where they were based at the time. They were signed to Virgin Records.
2. Swedish indie rock/alternative band - It consisted of members Henrik Berglund, Leo Dahlin, Michael Lohse and Josef Zackrisson, and was active between 1998 and the early 2000's. Micke Lohse and Henrik Berglund are currently members of the band Atomic Swing.
Be Who You Are
The Kooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ta, ta, ta da da da
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
Ta, ta, ta da da da
You don't know who you are
The road's gonna take you, make you walk too far
You're a liar, you're a thief, you're a star
You are just a kid with a sentimental heart
Afraid of what would happen before you ever start
And you don't need the baggage and you don't need the stuff
And you don't need nobody to fill your empty cup
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
Ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Baby you're a star)
Ta, ta, ta da da da
Never give up, Coltrane
Never be a slave to your own name
You're a poet, you're a fake, you're a star
But you don't know who you are
We could shine a light here inside the dark
And get a little closer, lonely spark
When there's nothing left to win and you could only lose
What's keeping you from doing what you always wanna do
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Baby you're a star)
Ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Lately I've been feeling
Like the stars are rolling out for me
Stars are rolling out
Lately I've been feeling
But the stars are rolling out for me
Stars are rolling out
But maybe they're misleading
Is it just a light reflecting off the street?
And you are just a kid with a sentimental heart
And do it for yourself and do it for the art
You don't need the baggage, you don't need the stuff
You don't need nobody to fill your empty cup
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be, be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta da da da
(Baby you're a star)
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Be who you are)
Ta, ta, ta, ta, ta da da da
(Baby you're a star)
Ta, ta, ta da da da
The Kooks' song "Be Who You Are" is a message of self-discovery and empowerment. The opening melody is simple yet catchy, echoing the idea that discovering oneself should be a simple and natural pursuit. The first verse highlights the uncertainty that often comes with self-discovery, as though being lost on a long road that takes you too far. The chorus then delivers a stern message, urging the listener to be true to themselves and embrace who they truly are.
The second verse speaks to the inner struggles that prevent people from reaching their full potential. Settling for a life of mediocrity becomes an easy option when one is terrified of failure or the unknown. The lyrics challenge the listener to take risks, "do it for yourself and do it for the art," because they are the only person responsible for their own happiness. The final chorus is a rallying cry to never surrender to the uncertainty of the future or the unwritten chapters of life.
Overall, the song is a beautiful reminder to embrace oneself, despite our shortcomings and insecurities. It reminds us that we are all complex and unique individuals, and the journey to discovering ourselves is a lifelong pursuit that requires the courage and conviction to stay true to ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't know who you are
You lack a clear sense of identity
The road's gonna take you, make you walk too far
Life's journey will lead you astray
You're a liar, you're a thief, you're a star
You are multifaceted and complex, with good and bad traits alongside admirable qualities
But you don't know who you are
Despite your many facets, you lack a true understanding of yourself
You are just a kid with a sentimental heart
You have a deep emotional core that is driven by powerful feelings
Afraid of what would happen before you ever start
You are easily intimidated by potential challenges and complications
And you don't need the baggage and you don't need the stuff
You should let go of unnecessary burdens and material goods
And you don't need nobody to fill your empty cup
You are capable of fulfilling your own emotional needs
Never give up, Coltrane
Persist in pursuing your passions and dreams like jazz musician John Coltrane
Never be a slave to your own name
Do not allow your reputation or identity to define you completely
We could shine a light here inside the dark
Together, we could bring clarity and illumination to the unknown
And get a little closer, lonely spark
By forging connections, even small ones, we can combat loneliness
When there's nothing left to win and you could only lose
When risks are high and the outcome uncertain
What's keeping you from doing what you always wanna do
What holds you back from pursuing your passions?
Lately I've been feeling
I've been experiencing
Like the stars are rolling out for me
As though opportunities are opening up for me
But maybe they're misleading
Perhaps these opportunities are not what they appear to be
Is it just a light reflecting off the street?
What if what seems like a bright opportunity is actually an illusion?
And do it for yourself and do it for the art
Pursue your passions for yourself and for the joy and creativity they bring
Ta, ta, ta da da da
A nonsensical music interlude
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Brandon Friesen, Luke Pritchard, Chris Seefried
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joanna
You don't know
Who you are
The rose gonna take and
Make you walk too far
You are a liar
You are a thief
You are a star
But you don't know who you are
You are just a kid
With a sentimental heart
Fade away what happened
Before you were a star
You don't need the package
You don't need the stuff
You don't need nobody
To feel your empty cup
Ta, ta, ta
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Baby you're a star
Ta, ta, ta
Never give up, caught a train
Never been a slave to your own name
You are a poet, you are a fake
You are a star
You don't know who you are
We could shout a lie
Here inside the dark
Get a little closer to loneliness' back
There's nothing left to win
And you could only lose
What's giving you for duel
What you always wanna do
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Baby you're a star
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Lately I've been feeling
Like the stars were rolling out for me
Stars were rolling out
Lately I've been feeling
But the stars were rolling out for me
Stars were rolling out
But maybe the misleading
Is just a lie reflecting off the street
You are just a kid
With a sentimental heart
And do it for yourself and do it for the art
You don't need the baggage, you don't need the stuff
You don't need nobody to fill your empty cup
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Be, be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Baby you're a star
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Be who you are
Ta, ta, ta
Baby you're a star
Ta, ta, ta
Jileni Zehani
The Kooks are back with another instant catchy song again !! <3 <3 .. this is the best monday morning ever !!
MrDaleAntonio
Faz Sentido M. M.
Lucrezia Borgia
Can´t resist, either!
Jotacano 998
Jileni Zheni its not catchy, is talentfull
Sami Baaj
This song is extremely catchy! Love it! Best song in NHL 18! 🏒 🎸
Humberto Castaneda
Good memories!
Angela Logan
Will never stop loving The Kooks! Best band, hands down
Justyn
Lovin it guys, you never disappoint! 👌🏼
Katti Vale
Yaaaayyy!!! Finally... looove this song! Amazing video, guys! Well done... CONGRATS!!! This made my day... thanks for the music. Love your music!!!! ❤❤🎶🔥
Javier Mazh
Estuve esperando algo así por años, esta genial, que bien volver al sonido original en un mercado saturado de moldes.