Young explained the song's meaning to the NME: "This is about jealousy and about victimizing yourself. In retrospect, though, it says more about me than it does about other people."
The music video was directed by the production team Canadá, which tends to make videos with wild imagery. This one is no exception, with a bonfire, acts of levitation and impressive horseback riding (standing up!) in the mix.
Most of it was shot at an old house in the mountains outside of Barcelona. The last scene, where the band throws Molotov cocktails at a structure, was done in the parking lot of a fire department, with firefighters overseeing it. The structure wouldn't ignite, so you'll notice the flames are quite meager.
All In White
The Vaccines Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tout me, doubt me, show me all of your power
I will watch you rise on my back from the ground
Friend or foe? I don't know, do you like what you've found?
Because I will one day shine with you
I'll shine on a faithful few
Ah
Oh, show me low quotations
Have you earned your stripes?
Fabricate salvation
Lord, I know your type
I've known you all my life
I was always wrong, you all in white
Brush my cause aside with little trouble
Oh my God, I think I'm hearing double
I will watch you rise on my back from afar
Friend or foe? I don't know, now you're up in the stars
But I will one day shine with you
I'll shine on a faithful few
Ah
Ah
Oh, show me low quotations
Have you earned your stripes?
Fabricate salvation
Lord, I know your type
I've known you all my life
I was always wrong, you all in white
Oh, show me low quotations
Have you earned your stripes?
Fabricate salvation
Lord, I know your type
I've known you all my life
I was always wrong, you all in white
Oh, show me low quotations
Have you earned your stripes?
Fabricate salvation
Lord, I know your type
I've known you all my life
I was always wrong, you all in white
The Vaccines' song All In White is a contemplative track that explores the uncertain and ambiguous elements of relationships. The opening lines of the song, "Break me on the thirty-seventh hour / Tout me, doubt me, show me all of your power," suggest a sense of vulnerability and fear that permeates throughout the song. It almost feels like the singer is subjugating themselves to the other person, allowing them to have power over them.
The chorus, "Oh, show me low quotations / Have you earned your stripes? / Fabricate salvation / Lord, I know your type / I've known you all my life / I was always wrong, you all in white," seems like a plea for honesty and transparency. The line "Fabricate salvation" highlights the idea that people often pretend to be who they are not, and it is hard to distinguish their true intentions. The words "you all in white" are also thought-provoking. In a way, it could refer to the other person's purity and innocence, which could be genuine or a façade.
The song's final verse, "Brush my cause aside with little trouble / Oh my God, I think I'm hearing double / I will watch you rise on my back from afar / Friend or foe? I don't know, now you're up in the stars," describes the singer's emotional exhaustion and confusion about their relationship with the other person. They feel like their efforts are going unnoticed, and there is a sense of detachment from the other person.
Overall, The Vaccines' "All In White" is an introspective song that delves into the complexities of human relationships. The lyrics are thought-provoking and emphasize the importance of honesty, transparency, and mutual understanding in any relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Break me on the thirty-seventh hour
Push me to my absolute limit and see if I break, even if it takes a long time.
Tout me, doubt me, show me all of your power
Challenge me, make me question myself, and let me see everything you're capable of.
I will watch you rise on my back from the ground
I'll support you, even if it means you end up above me in success.
Friend or foe? I don't know, do you like what you've found?
I can't tell if you're on my side or working against me, but either way, are you pleased with what you've discovered?
Because I will one day shine with you
I believe that someday we'll both be successful together.
I'll shine on a faithful few
I'll only surround myself with those who are loyal and supportive.
Oh, show me low quotations
Prove to me that your promises are grounded in reality, not just empty words.
Have you earned your stripes?
Have you truly worked hard and accomplished enough to earn recognition and respect?
Fabricate salvation
Create a false sense of security or hope.
Lord, I know your type
I've seen people like you before, and I know not to trust you.
I've known you all my life
I've encountered people like you since childhood, and your behavior is predictable.
I was always wrong, you all in white
Despite my past experiences with people like you, I always hoped you'd be different and better, but now I see that you're just like the rest.
Brush my cause aside with little trouble
Ignore my goals or what I believe in with ease and without much thought.
Oh my God, I think I'm hearing double
I'm starting to feel like I'm being deceived or manipulated.
I will watch you rise on my back from afar
I'll observe your success from a distance, even if I'm not directly involved.
Friend or foe? I don't know, now you're up in the stars
I still can't tell if you're on my side or not, but now you're so successful that you're beyond my reach.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Arni Hjorvar Arnason, Freddie Clayton Cowan, Peter Gareth Christopher Robertson, Justin James Hayward-Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tachivrsion
i will never understand why this isn't everyone's favorite
@ericn1450
It really is a great video that works extremely well with the lyrics. That Canada collective makes some outstanding videos.
@fubuki908
That was my #1 song on Spotify wdym?
@Mikedawgs
Exactly way better than if you wanna in my opinion
@jis87BE
My thoughts exactly. This and Wetsuit.
@telephonic
Easily their best track.
@TheSingingPug
This song is so fucking emotional and amazing and I can't stop listening to it even 6 years later
@orte94
Almost 10 years on it
@TheMemeMosquito
@@orte94 exact
@ethereality21
It's 2022 and I'm still listening to this masterpiece