VHS's three core members have played music together for most of their lives. James Bohannon and Conor Cook went to middle school together in New York City, while James went to high school with Nils Vanderlip where they started their first band.
In 2015 VHS formed, based initially around home recordings which the band posted on Soundcloud. VHS began performing around NYC's lower east side rock clubs, eventually selling out several shows at the Mercury Lounge that year. In 2015, they released their debut EP whose lead single "Lean" rose to #8 on the Spotify Viral charts. In 2016, VHS released Stereo Hype, which included the indie hit “Waiting on the Summer." VHS performed at major festivals that year including Lollapalooza and ACL. The band continued to release singles and tour leading up to the release of their debut LP Retrofuturism in November 2018. VHS's songs have also been featured in Shameless, Sunday Night Football, Love, You, and dozens of other TV shows.
Lean
Vhs Collection Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some say unoriginal, but it works out for me
I collect the labels off the drinks that I drink
So many fluids one would think that I'd sink
It's a fact dear I'm an act here, no camera no stage
Dressed to impress so I can lie about my age
and ohh, you did it again
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
I can't differentiate my dreams from the real
And I can't tell you how familiar it feels
I see the faces as I enter the room
Quite unintentionally, I am a bafoon
It's a fact dear I'm an act here, no camera no stage
Dressed to impress so I can lie about my age
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
And the beatniks, and the junkies
and if you'd them your a flunkie and say ewww ewwww
there's pauls house and there's blow there
no we don't stay but we go there and say ewww ewwww
And the projects and the charlie's
And the discos and the parties
And the blood streets and the new wave
It's the renaissance of these days
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
and ohh, you did it again
The lyrics to Vhs Collection's song "Lean" delve into themes of identity, self-expression, and social dynamics. The first two lines - "I wear the clothes of the characters of films that I see / Some say unoriginal, but it works out for me" - reveal the singer's tendency to derive inspiration from film characters and use their clothing choices as a means of self-expression. Despite being criticized for this, the singer defends their approach and finds it effective.
The following two lines - "I collect the labels off the drinks that I drink / So many fluids one would think that I'd sink" - further reinforce the idea of the singer using physical objects to define themselves. By collecting the labels off of drinks they consume, they are constructing a personal narrative for themselves.
The chorus - "Oh, you gonna lean on your friends / And oh, you did it again" - explores the idea of relying on others for emotional support and validation. The repetition of "you did it again" implies that this is a recurring pattern for the singer.
The line "I can't differentiate my dreams from the real" speaks to a sense of confusion or disorientation in the singer's life. They are struggling to distinguish between reality and their own imagination.
The second verse - "I see the faces as I enter the room / Quite unintentionally, I am a bafoon" - further touches on the singer's social struggles. In social situations, they feel out of place and embarrassed.
The bridge - "And the beatniks, and the junkies / and if you'd them your a flunkie and say ewww ewwww / there's pauls house and there's blow there / no we don't stay but we go there and say ewww ewwww / And the projects and the charlie's / And the discos and the parties / And the blood streets and the new wave / It's the renaissance of these days" - lists a series of locations and social groups. This suggests that the singer is trying to find where they fit in, but is struggling to do so.
Overall, "Lean" is a song that explores themes of identity, confusion, and social dynamics. The singer is struggling to find their place in the world and is using external objects as a means of self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
I wear the clothes of the characters of films that I see
I dress in clothing similar to characters from films I watch
Some say unoriginal, but it works out for me
While some may find my style unoriginal, it fits my personality
I collect the labels off the drinks that I drink
I keep the labels from the drinks I consume
So many fluids one would think that I'd sink
I consume a lot of beverages
It's a fact dear I'm an act here, no camera no stage
I put on a show even when there's no audience
Dressed to impress so I can lie about my age
I dress nicely to appear younger than I am
I can't differentiate my dreams from the real
I struggle to distinguish between reality and my dreams
And I can't tell you how familiar it feels
It's a feeling I can't quite describe
I see the faces as I enter the room
I recognize people in a room without trying
Quite unintentionally, I am a bafoon
I sometimes act foolishly without meaning to
And the beatniks, and the junkies
I encounter people from all walks of life
and if you'd them your a flunkie and say ewww ewwww
Others may judge me for my associations
there's pauls house and there's blow there
I know of places where people use drugs
no we don't stay but we go there and say ewww ewwww
While we visit, we do not partake in their activities
And the projects and the charlie's
I'm familiar with low-income housing and cheap bars
And the discos and the parties
I frequent social events and nightclubs
And the blood streets and the new wave
I'm involved in different subcultures
It's the renaissance of these days
This is the time of different cultural movements
And ohh, you gonna lean on your friends
You'll rely on your friends for support
and ohh, you did it again
You've made the same mistake before
Contributed by Ian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ringo Cash
[Verse 1]
I could wear the clothes of the characters of films that I see
Some say unoriginal, but it works out for me
I collect the labels of the drinks that I drink
So many fluids, one would think that I'd sink
[Pre-Chorus]
It's a fact dear, I'm an act here
No camera, no stage
Dressed to impress
So I can lie about my age
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
[Verse 2]
I can't differentiate my dreams from the real
And I can't tell you how familiar it feels
I see the faces as I enter the room
Quite unintentionally, I am a buffoon
[Pre-Chorus]
It's a fact dear, I'm an act here
No camera, no stage
Dressed to impress
So I can lie about my age
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
[Bridge]
And the beatniks, and the junkies
And if you feed them your flunky
You sing "ooh, ooh, ooh"
There's Paul's house, there's blow there
No we don't go, we stay there and sing
"Ooh, ooh, ooh"
And the projects, and the Charlie's
And the discos, and the parties
And the blood streets, and the new wave
It's the renaissance of these days
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
gizem celik
I could wear the clothes of the characters of films that I see
Some say unoriginal, but it works out for me
I collect the labels of the drinks that I drink
So many fluids, one would think that I'd sink
[Pre-Chorus]
It's a fact dear, I'm an act here
No camera, no stage
Dressed to impress
So I can lie about my age
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
[Verse 2]
I can't differentiate my dreams from the real
And I can't tell you how familiar it feels
I see the faces as I enter the room
Quite unintentionally, I am a buffoon
[Pre-Chorus]
It's a fact dear, I'm an act here
No camera, no stage
Dressed to impress
So I can lie about my age
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
[Bridge]
And the beatniks, and the junkies
And if you feed them your flunky
You sing "ooh, ooh, ooh"
There's Paul's house, there's blow there
No we don't go, we stay there and sing
"Ooh, ooh, ooh"
And the projects, and the Charlie's
And the discos, and the parties
And the blood streets, and the new wave
It's the renaissance of these days
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
Justina Kaluba
6 Years on and I still have this song on repeat ♥️
Ringo Cash
[Verse 1]
I could wear the clothes of the characters of films that I see
Some say unoriginal, but it works out for me
I collect the labels of the drinks that I drink
So many fluids, one would think that I'd sink
[Pre-Chorus]
It's a fact dear, I'm an act here
No camera, no stage
Dressed to impress
So I can lie about my age
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
[Verse 2]
I can't differentiate my dreams from the real
And I can't tell you how familiar it feels
I see the faces as I enter the room
Quite unintentionally, I am a buffoon
[Pre-Chorus]
It's a fact dear, I'm an act here
No camera, no stage
Dressed to impress
So I can lie about my age
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
[Bridge]
And the beatniks, and the junkies
And if you feed them your flunky
You sing "ooh, ooh, ooh"
There's Paul's house, there's blow there
No we don't go, we stay there and sing
"Ooh, ooh, ooh"
And the projects, and the Charlie's
And the discos, and the parties
And the blood streets, and the new wave
It's the renaissance of these days
[Chorus]
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
And oh, you gonna lean on your friends
And oh, you did it again
Hhhjhhh Hhhjhhh
La mejor canción quien la busco x la película la cita perfecta 💖 saludos desde Colombia 🇨🇴
Serados
I have this song on repeat for days! Awesome job guys.
Conor Cook
+Raffe Dunnas Thanks man! Glad you're digging it. More tracks coming next week.
neha ramrakhyani
"The perfect date" movie on Netflix brought me here. ❤️
Socio
neha ramrakhyani same
Clerison pires
For the same reason I'm here.
I just saw the movie.
Cool story with wonderful soundtrack.
My name is Filipe,
I am from the city of Recife, state of Pernambuco Brazil.
지젤킴
Same here from South Koeea ;)
Vlad Șoldan
Samee, here from Romania :D