Don't Mug Yourself
The Streets Lyrics


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A new day, another morning after
Leanin' back on my chair in a greasy spoon cafeteria
Last night was some beer-lairy-ness done our way
But again, we're back in the light of day
Chattin' shit, sittin' at the wall table, telling jokes
Playin with the salt, looking out the window
Girl brings two plates of full English over
With plenty of scrambled eggs and plenty of fried tomato
Get my phone out, about give this girl a shout
See if she had a nice time last night uptown
Ask if she fancies tryin' it again some time
Then Cal grabs the phone like oy, oy, oy, oy

Hold it down boy, your head's getting blurred
I know you can't stop thinking of her
By all means, you can vibe with this girl
But just don't mug yourself, that's all, don't mug yourself

Seriously Mick, you fucker, don't mug yourself
No, no, no, I mean, I'll fuckin', I'm no way
I mean I'll fuckin', I can take it or leave it, believe
And then Calvin's like, oy

You need to hold it down Jack, put your phone back
Quit starin' into space and eat your snack, that's that
She'll want you much more for not hangin' on
Stop me if I'm wrong, stop me if I'm wrong
Why should she be the one who decides
Whether it's off or on, or on, or off or on?
Now the girl's rude, I now she's rude
But she screwed right through you, you'll be on your knees soon

Hold it down boy, your head's getting blurred
I know you can't stop thinking of her
By all means, you can vibe with this girl
But just don't mug yourself, that's all, don't mug yourself

And I'm like, honestly it's not like that
You're actin' like I'm prancing like a sap
Jumpin' when she clap's and that
Oy, do you really think I act whack?
'Cause I'm telling ya, I'm servin' the aces
And it's game set and match
Perfectly in control of this goal, I've got the lead role
Won't be foldin', I'm older than you told
Girl sold, high speed's gold
Game over, game over, too cold

Hold it down boy, your head's getting blurred
I know you can't stop thinking of her
By all means, you can vibe with this girl
But just don't mug yourself, that's all don't mug yourself

Hold it down boy, your head's getting blurred
I know you can't stop thinking of her
By all means, you can vibe with this girl
But just don't mug yourself, that's all don't mug yourself

Oh yeah, hold it down boy, your head's getting blurred
I know you can't stop thinking of her
That girl is she has smelly on her Ps
She must have crab and fuckin' shrimp in her teeth
No, oh, no, that's it, that's it
Hold on, let me go again, let me go again




Are we, are we still recording?
Whoa, yeah

Overall Meaning

"Don't Mug Yourself" by The Streets is a song about advice from a friend concerning a girl he likes. The singer is in a café with his friend Cal, discussing his romantic encounter with a girl the previous night. He gets his phone out to call her and ask if she enjoyed the date and if she would like to go out again. However, Cal intervenes and warns him not to appear too needy or desperate. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "don't mug yourself," which means "don't make a fool of yourself." Cal advises him to play it cool and not come across as too eager because it could push the girl away. The song's spoken words convey a natural and unscripted conversation between two friends as they chat and offer advice on relationships.


"Don't Mug Yourself" was a single from The Streets' debut album, "Original Pirate Material," which was released in 2002. The song helped the album achieve massive success, reaching #12 on the UK Singles Chart. Mike Skinner, the man behind The Streets, wrote and produced the song. In an interview with The Guardian, he explained that the song was inspired by his experience with trying to balance his love life and music career. The song's popularity led to The Streets performing on Top of the Pops and other prominent British music television shows.


Line by Line Meaning

A new day, another morning after
Just another day after a night of partying


Leanin' back on my chair in a greasy spoon cafeteria
Sitting back in a dirty cafe, probably nursing a hangover


Last night was some bit leeriness done our way
We had a wild night


But again we're back in like a day
But we're back to normal in no time


Chattin' shit sittin' at the wall table telling jokes
Talking nonsense and trading jokes while sitting at the wall table


Playin with the salt looking out the window
Playing with the salt shakers and staring out the window


Girl brings two plates of full English over
A waitress serves them two plates of a full English breakfast


With plenty of scrambled eggs and plenty of fried tomato
The breakfast has lots of scrambled eggs and fried tomatoes


Get my phone out about give this girl a shout
Pulling out his phone to call the girl from last night


See if she had a nice time last night uptown
Asking the girl if she enjoyed their night out in the city


Ask if she fancy's tryin' it again some time
Asking if she wants to go out again sometime


Then Cal grabs the phone like oy!oy!oy!oy!
Then Cal grabs the phone and interrupts with a cry of 'oy!'


Hold it down boy, your head's getting blurred
Calm down and think clearly, you're getting emotional


I know you can't stop thinking of her
I know you can't stop thinking about the girl


By all means, you can vibe with this girl
You can go out with her and have fun


But just don't mug yourself, that's all don't mug yourself
But don't delude yourself into thinking it's something more serious than it is


(Talking)
Conversation between two friends


Seriously Mike, you fucker
Serious talk between friends


You need to hold it down Jack
You need to take it easy


Put your phone back
Put away your phone


Quit starin' into space and eat your snack that's that
Stop staring off into space and eat your food


She'll want you much more for not hangin' on
The girl will like you more if you're not too eager


Stop me if I'm wrong, Stop me if I'm wrong
Let me know if you disagree


Why should she be the one who decides
Why should she be the one to have all the control


Whether it's off or on, or on, or off or on?
Whether the relationship is on or off, why should she decide?


Now the girl's rude, I now she's rude
The girl is rude, I know she is


But she screwed right through you, you'll be on your knees soon
But she has totally manipulated you, and you will fall for her soon


And I'm like, honestly it's not like that
I'm telling you, it's not like that


Your actin' like I'm prancing like a sap jumpin' when she clap's and that
You're acting like I'm acting like a fool for her


Oy, do you really think I act whack
Do you really think I'm acting weird


'Cause I'm telling you I'm servin' the aces and it's game set and match?
Because I'm telling you I'm in control and winning in this situation?


Perfectly in control of this goal, I've got the lead role
I am perfectly in control of this situation and feel like the lead in this game


Won't be foldin', I'm older than you told, girl sold, high speed's gold
I won't back down, I'm stronger than you thought, and I'm attracted to quick, thrilling experiences


Game over, game over, too cold
It's game over, and I've won decisively




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Geoffrey Skinner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joesmoothee

Plenty a scrambled eggs and plenty a fried Tamata

@upto_g

the best bit of the song

@scarface8168

Hold it down boy

@larrymcjones

You say tomato I say tamata

@skr3tt

@@larrymcjones how about potato?

@homosexualpanic

it's actually tamarta

24 More Replies...

@leonardosolis9053

This was the favorite song from an old friend from me that died like 10 years now. His name was Phillip from England, im from Costa Rica. Well, like a tribute to him I post this comment to remember his memory. RIP my old friend. I wish he could listen this song again someday.

@gharlowharlow

He had quality taste in music. Best hes having a lil party rn

@jonnysupreme

RIP Philip

@alexandrehubert8855

Rip Phillip <3

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