another girl another planet
In a world rife with injustice, the music industry has seen — if not perpet… Read Full Bio ↴In a world rife with injustice, the music industry has seen — if not perpetrated — more than its fair share of travesties (the sad saga of Badfinger comes immediately to mind). But one of the biggest involves, arguably, the greatest rock single ever recorded: the Only Ones' "Another Girl, Another Planet." The word "timeless" and "transcendent" get bandied about far too often when describing a song or an album, but in the case of "Another Girl," even those terms are probably inadequate. The song marks that rare confluence of lyrical, instrumental, and vocal poetry that is so complete, so absolute, that it renders everything else — in, on, above, below, and around it — irrelevant while it plays. While frontman Peter Perrett gets — and deserves — a lot of the credit for the song's majestic squalor, the song truly is a band effort. Released as a single off the band's formidable self-titled 1978 debut, it's a pitch-perfect fusion of Perrett's spectral vocals and doom-laden lyrics, John Perry's virtuosic guitar flights, and the rhythmic hyperdrive of drummer Mike Kellie and bassist Alan Mair. When Perrett sings "Always flirt with death/I'll get killed but I don't care about it/I can't face your threats/And stand up straight and tall and shout about it," the regret and despondency in his voice hang like dead flowers in the autumn rain. Yet Perry's soaring guitar is always there to carry the pain far enough away to keep the song aloft. Suddenly it's over, and the darkness that you felt dancing behind your back through the entire song now washes over you in waves of almost shivering despair. The effect, as is the case with most classic compositions, lingers far longer than the song itself. Foreshadowing the bad luck that would haunt the band throughout its brief existence, "Another Girl, Another Planet" failed to chart. After releasing two more studio albums — 1979's Even Serpents Shine and 1980's Baby's Got a Gun — the Only Ones disintegrated in a blur of drugs and acrimony. But their legacy didn't die quite as easily. Greg Kihn and alt-rock legends the Replacements both felt the transcendental pull of "Another Girl, Another Planet," covering the song and frequently including it in their live sets. The Only Ones may be gone, but their signature song soars above time, an eternal three minutes of pop perfection.

another girl another planet
The Only Ones Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I always flirt with death
I could kill, but I don't care about it
I can face your threats
And stand up straight and tall and shout about it

I think I'm on another world with you, with you
I'm on another planet with you, with you
You get under my skin
I don't find it irritating
You always play to win
But I won't need rehabilitating, oh no

I think I'm on another world with you, with you
I'm on another planet with you, with you

Another girl, another planet
Another girl, another planet

Space travels in my blood
There ain't nothing I can do about it
Long journeys wear me out
But I know I can't live without it, oh no

I think I'm on another world with you, with you
I'm on another planet with you, with you

Another girl is loving you now




Another planet, is holding you down
Another planet

Overall Meaning

The song "Another Girl Another Planet" by The Only Ones may seem like a love song at first glance, but as the lyrics suggest, there's a deeper meaning behind it. The opening lines "I always flirt with death, I could kill, but I don't care about it, I can face your threats, and stand up straight and tall and shout about it" hints at the singer's reckless and carefree nature. It is clear that they don't fear death and don't care about living life cautiously, which is why they can face any obstacle head-on without worrying about the consequences.


The chorus lines, "I think I'm on another world with you, with you, I'm on another planet with you, with you" are repeated throughout the song and suggest that their love interest is a source of escape for them. The singer is so enamored with this person that they feel like they're in a different world altogether. Moreover, the lines "Another girl, another planet, another girl, another planet," show how the singer is attracted to the same type of person repeatedly. This somewhat reflects their desire to have escapism from reality and their constant need for excitement that will keep them feeling alive.


Overall, the song is a commentary on the high of escapism, whether it's from life, death, or love. It highlights how humans often reach out to find bliss in things that transport them to a different headspace.


Line by Line Meaning

I always flirt with death
I take risks and live dangerously


I could kill, but I don't care about it
I am fearless and don't worry about the consequences


I can face your threats
I am confident and unafraid of intimidation


And stand up straight and tall and shout about it
I am assertive and outspoken in the face of adversity


I think I'm on another world with you, with you
Being with you makes me feel like I'm in a different reality


I'm on another planet with you, with you
My experience with you is out of this world


You get under my skin
You have a profound effect on me emotionally


I don't find it irritating
I am not bothered by how much you affect me


You always play to win
You are competitive and driven


But I won't need rehabilitating, oh no
I am not someone who can be 'fixed' or changed easily


Another girl, another planet
There are other options out there for both of us


Another girl, another planet
We can both find someone or something else to move on to


Space travels in my blood
I have an innate desire to explore and discover


There ain't nothing I can do about it
It is a part of who I am


Long journeys wear me out
Travel can be exhausting for me


But I know I can't live without it, oh no
I need it as a part of my life and identity


Another girl is loving you now
You have moved on and found someone else to care for you


Another planet, is holding you down
Your new relationship is anchoring you in a different place


Another planet
Symbolizes the new and different situation between the two




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Peter Albert Neil Perrett

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

@BintAlAbla1999

Great track! I'm a 53 year old aging punk rocker! Worked as a roadie with several punk bands back in my 20s, good times!
In my youth, I had lots of tough times.
But I try not to dwell on the past.
Don’t look back at the bad times my friend Anthony, look forward to a beautiful and precious life.
A spectacular orange sunset, a fresh-smelling forest.
The innocent laugh and smile of a child.
The 30,000 lenses of a dragonfly’s eyes, allowing it to see 360 degrees.
The vermiculate patterns of a brook trout, holding against the current in a crystal clear mountain stream.
A great music track, such as this.
There is so much beauty around us, but sometimes we do not see it.
Fall in love with life, and its beauty.
We only get one shot at life, treasure it.



All comments from YouTube:

@rockerc2008

I was their sound mixer and tour manager for all their career from just before signing with Epic to the 'breakup' in NYC in late '80. So many good, but often hazy, memories! I still chat with Peter and John, and Peter's new albums are amazing. RIP my old friend Kellie, and Barrie Evans, the guitar tech who stayed loyal to Peter all the years of his life.

@surfthestreets86

So rad! Cheers

@rockerc2008

@Random Restoration You're Alan's son or daughter?
Cool! I don't think I knew you then!

@rockerc2008

@Random Restoration I'm a Brit, but live in the US and have done for about 14 years now... definitely a man :) I'm the Chris from your Dad's picture of them and the crew outside the motel in Kansas in the 70s. "Chris Barrie and Digby" Barrie passed away year before last, but Digby's still knocking around! Were you around in the Only Ones days?

@rockerc2008

@Random Restoration I still listen to them often! The new live release from Chicago is pretty good in places too! I think I did meet you back then up at your house up in Highgate if I remember well... it's a little hazy these days!

@chestermiller1768

I just got special view and babys got gun on lp.I have check out petes solo stuff

106 More Replies...

@jonahharpoon2

Remember poggoing? Dancing to this as a young punk rocker in 1978/9. Happy memories. Wish I could go back and bathe in the memories. Take it easy...relax and enjoy my youth.

@joerogan3079

THIS IS THE BEST SONG I EVER HEARD

IM NOT JOKING

@comeonurams2233

Undoubtedly the greatest punk / new wave single of all time with a guitar solo so good it has never been beaten - not a wasted note anywhere.

@StevenNorthcut-fj3ft

True story...me & myyy LOVEEE

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