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.
Higher Ground
The Kooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well baby, you're a monster too
We've been messing around and now we're back again
Now I'm half past it with an aching hip
I got some lipstick on my collar
While we've been getting it on in someone else's bed
I met a woman I can't control
And it's been going on for too many years now
We've got to save our reputation (yeah yeah yeah)
And get us up, up upon a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
Say I'm a hustler
Well honey, you're a hustler too
There's no limits we've been crossing all the lines
So if you're on your way to see that dick again
I've got a date callin' at the hour
And make your bed light twirl
Come on I'll see you in a week
I won't be home until tomorrow
We've got a tricky situation (yeah yeah yeah)
And it's been going on for too many years now
We've got to save our reputation (yeah yeah yeah)
And get us up, up upon a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
Well I would leave them all to be a loving man
You had moments we should cherish
Before we crash and burn, it might be our turn
To go straight so we don't loose
We've got a tricky situation (yeah yeah yeah)
And it's been going on for too many years now
We've got to save our reputation (yeah yeah yeah)
And get us up, up upon a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
Up on a higher ground
The lyrics of "Higher Ground" by The Kooks present a story about a complicated, dysfunctional relationship full of cheating and lies. The song's narrative is essentially a conversation between two people who are both guilty of infidelity, and who seem to be engaging in a cycle of infidelity that feels hard to break. Both parties are aware of the harm they are causing each other, but they can't seem to stop themselves.
The opening lines establish a tone of mutual culpability and resignation. Both partners are "monsters", which implies that they are both to blame for the relationship's problems. The rest of the song unfolds as a catalogue of the various ways the couple has betrayed each other, as well as a plea to "get us up, up on a higher ground."
The chorus (which repeats several times throughout the song) insists on the need to save their reputation and elevate their relationship to a more sustainable and honest level. The final verse is a recognition that the cycle of infidelity must be broken before they "crash and burn." Overall, “Higher Ground” paints a picture of a relationship that is on the brink of disaster but still has the potential to be saved through honesty and making positive changes.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me a monster
Addressing the idea that he may be seen as a bad person
Well baby, you're a monster too
Telling his lover that they are both flawed and equally responsible
We've been messing around and now we're back again
Acknowledging that they have a history of unhealthy behavior and are falling back into it
Now I'm half past it with an aching hip
Expressing physical pain and weariness caused by their reckless behavior
I got some lipstick on my collar
Evidence of infidelity
While we've been getting it on in someone else's bed
Further evidence of their unfaithful behavior
I met a woman I can't control
Admitting that he is unable to resist temptation and control himself
We've got a tricky situation (yeah yeah yeah)
Referring to their complicated and unhealthy relationship
And it's been going on for too many years now
Acknowledging that they have been behaving this way for too long
We've got to save our reputation (yeah yeah yeah)
Realizing that their actions have consequences and they need to take responsibility for them
And get us up, up upon a higher ground
Striving to improve themselves and their relationship
Say I'm a hustler
Acknowledging that he may have questionable motives
Well honey, you're a hustler too
Telling his lover that they both have questionable motives
There's no limits we've been crossing all the lines
Admitting that they have been engaging in reckless and irresponsible behavior
So if you're on your way to see that dick again
Referring to his lover being unfaithful again
I've got a date callin' at the hour
Implying that he is also seeking comfort from someone else
And make your bed light twirl
Encouraging his lover to have fun and not worry about him
Come on I'll see you in a week
Seemingly accepting that they are both going to continue being unfaithful
I won't be home until tomorrow
Further evidence of his unfaithful behavior
Well I would leave them all to be a loving man
Reflecting on his own flaws and acknowledging that he wants to change
You had moments we should cherish
Reminding his lover that they do have positive memories together
Before we crash and burn, it might be our turn
Implying that their reckless behavior will have consequences and that they need to change before it's too late
To go straight so we don't loose
Deciding to be faithful and honest so they do not lose each other
Up on a higher ground
Reiterating the desire to improve themselves and their relationship
Contributed by Layla E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.