London released his debut mixtape JAM! in 2008. In 2009 he collaborated with Machine Drum for his second mixtape This Charming Mixtape which brought London to a wider audience. In 2010 London released the mixtape I Want You which features covers of classic songs.
London's track Flying Overseas (featuring Devonté Hynes and Solange Knowles) enjoyed popularity with music bloggers in November 2010.
London found himself causing a stir with his performances at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. The title of his debut album, Timez Are Weird These Days is a reference to the tidal wave of fame London found himself riding. (I Stand Alone Songfacts).
Most of London's music can be downloaded from his blog: http://theophiluslondon.wordpress.com/
Whiplash
Theophilus London Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah
96, 92
Uh, whiplash, whiplash
Whiplash, whiplash
Whiplash
Them boys acting all brand new, huh
Now they lookin' like they seen a ghost
When they know it's my vibe that they need the most
They need you around
She said "Theo we need you in town" (Now)
And when the belly of the beast start churnin'
And the streets start burnin'
And the freaks start lurkin'
Whiplash, whiplash
Head's in the future, but your neck's in the past
Whiplash, sit back
Whiplash, And they said
All of the damned
Head's in the future, but your neck's in the past
All of the damned
Whiplash, whiplash
Pressin' on the metal, got the blicky in the stash
Whiplash, sit back
Whiplash, whip-
I'm at the Knick game, big chain, all my spender
Big, big smoke, I'm eating all y'all dinners
Tell big Kev it's gettin' warm this winter
Nick Barns, big rock, rock, I got winner
Whiplash, Whiplash
Head's in the future, but your neck's in the past
Whiplash, sit back
Whiplash
All
I see you
I see you ain't outside lining the up and down
We don't wear lines, we do lines
Walking up outside like its the 4th of July
Looking like its labor day in Brooklyn J'ouvert
I seen you actin' like Theo 2013 with the Chelsea boots on
Whiplash, whiplash
Pressin' on the metal, got the blicky in the stash
Whiplash, sit back
Whiplash
Whiplash, whiplash
Head's in the future, but your neck's in the past
All of the damned
Whiplash, sit back
Whiplash, whiplash
Blam Blam, we might just Van Damme ya
Van Damme, the stuntin' on Santana
Six-foot stud, yeah understand her
Kev and Theo, back, back in Rio
Throwin' money off the boat, just like Leo
Girls on my shirt, yeah, here's some Theo
Lot of y'all startin' to look like clout chasers
I remember all of y'all faces
All of the damned
Pressin' on the metal, got the blicky in the stash
All of the damned
Whiplash, whiplash
All of the damned
Theophilus London's song Whiplash is about him being able to read through the fake and brand new behaviour of other people. The lyrics begin by talking about how some of them behave like they need him, but only because they want his vibe. They go on to imply that the present and the past are separate things, and while your head can be in the future, your neck is stuck in the past. The song then transitions to a more boastful vibe, with Theophilus talking about going to a Knicks game, wearing a big chain, and bragging about his wealth. This particular section also contains some references to his own previous music, hinting on how he has evolved since then. The song ends by repeating the phrase "all of the damned," which could refer to those who are stuck in their past, making the same mistakes and never evolving into new people.
The song's message reveals a deeper meaning about the importance of growth and the ability to move forward. Through Theophilus London's perspective, the lyrics are reflecting his own personal growth as an artist and person, and he is calling out those around him who are stuck in the past. The song's title, Whiplash, can be widely interpreted as a reaction that somebody gets when they rapid-change. In the context of the song, it may be referring to how some people find it hard to adjust themselves, resulting in them moving around life with whiplash-inducing inconsistency. The song's tone is upbeat and fun, but the lyrics reveal a level of depth and observation that might not be clear at first.
Line by Line Meaning
Them boys acting all brand new, huh
He sees right through their fake behavior
I can peep it in your style, lil' Theo, huh
He can tell they're trying to copy his style
Now they lookin' like they seen a ghost
They feel exposed because he's caught on to their imitation
When they know it's my vibe that they need the most
He's confident in his unique, coveted vibe
They need you around
He knows he's the one they're imitating and they need him near
She said "Theo we need you in town" (Now)
Someone, likely a woman, is urging him to come back to town for his influence
And when the belly of the beast start churnin', And the streets start burnin', And the freaks start lurkin'
In chaotic and questionable times, he's needed most
Whiplash, whiplash, Head's in the future, but your neck's in the past
Feeling like you're propelled forward, but dealing with past setbacks
Whiplash, sit back, Whiplash, And they said, All of the damned
Trying to take a break from it all, but feeling doomed
Pressin' on the metal, got the blicky in the stash
Armed and dangerous
I'm at the Knick game, big chain, all my spender, Big, big smoke, I'm eating all y'all dinners, Tell big Kev it's gettin' warm this winter, Nick Barns, big rock, rock, I got winner
He's winning in life with his flashy style, wealth, and connections
I see you ain't outside lining the up and down, We don't wear lines, we do lines, Walking up outside like its the 4th of July, Looking like its labor day in Brooklyn J'ouvert, I seen you actin' like Theo 2013 with the Chelsea boots on
He mocks their fashion choices and claims his individual style
Blam Blam, we might just Van Damme ya, Van Damme, the stuntin' on Santana, Six-foot stud, yeah understand her, Kev and Theo, back, back in Rio, Throwin' money off the boat, just like Leo
He boasts about his flashy lifestyle once again, with references to money, women, and famous actors
Girls on my shirt, yeah, here's some Theo, Lot of y'all startin' to look like clout chasers, I remember all of y'all faces, All of the damned
He doesn't mind flaunting the attention he gets from women, but he hasn't forgotten those who try to use him for their own gain
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Kevin Parker, Theophilus London
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Walkgrams
Everyone needs more Theo Impala.
Allo Es Me Sam
80’s instrumentals with modern rap. I dig it.
Rodri Soula Lalía
Cyberpunk style.
Frank
too underrated, this track is really too smooth
Tobias Plankensteiner
Yeahh.
Pedro Miguel
Toooooooo fuuuukingnnnnnngggg underrated how the fuck this trach doesnt have 10000000 millio nnnnssss viewsssss baaaaaabe woooooooow
David Hernandez
Tom Petty stoog vibes
enthrallingusername
Such a good tune. Theo's great.
PapiChulo
I'm so happy to find this ☺
stéphane allela
Thank you Theo, Thank you Tame Impala. You guys could become a legendary duo