The band takes its name from the New Order song "Love Vigilantes," although their sound tends more to folk, Americana, and country rock than New Wave. Their 2001 album Summershine also showed some movement toward Brit-pop and R.E.M.-style college rock, which would be more fully explored in Mallonee's solo career.
Good Luck Charm
Vigilantes of Love Lyrics
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Yeah and where did it go south you're looking down in the mouth
Of a ride that had just begun when the lap bar came up
Yeah and sweetness it was bone dry at the bottom of the cup
Yeah death she wears this strange perfume when you're traveling the white lines
Yeah she stumbles in here under a different name almost every night
We're all cracked and crumbling just like that old sidewalk
And I suppose this must be the place where the walls went up
When the truth that they've been selling you is just another fine lie
Yeah the candles on the inside they are flickering out
With the things they don't tell you about
Can you hear the bells can you hear the alarm
Can you give away your life like a good luck charm
This is where it started breaking your heart
Yeah this is where it started this falling apart
In "Good Luck Charm," Vigilantes of Love sings about heartbreak, death, and the harsh realities of life. The song speaks about a relationship that started off well but fell apart quickly. The lyrics suggest that the ride that the singer and their partner were on became unbearable due to various reasons, such as unfulfilling sweetness, death, and lies. Death, personified as a woman, is a common theme throughout the song.
The singer speaks about the end of the relationship being the beginning of the breaking of their heart. They question where things went wrong and why they ended up feeling low. The ride that had just begun, representing the relationship, ended when the lap bar came up, suggesting it was short-lived. The sweetness of the relationship was bone dry at the bottom of the cup. The imagery used here suggests that the relationship was unfulfilling.
Death makes an appearance in the song, wearing "strange perfume" and "stumbl[ing] in here under a different name almost every night." Death is personified as a woman who is constantly present while the singer travels the white lines. The chorus speaks of the bells ringing and the alarm sounding, warning the listener about the harsh realities of life. The line "Can you give away your life like a good luck charm" suggests that people are sometimes used for their perceived value and not appreciated for who they are.
Overall, "Good Luck Charm" is a poignant and reflective song that speaks of life's harsh realities, such as heartbreak, death, and the lies that people are often sold.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah just where did it start this breaking of your heart
Reflecting on the beginning of heartbreak and wondering how it started.
Yeah and where did it go south you're looking down in the mouth
Asking how things turned bad and feeling down about it.
Of a ride that had just begun when the lap bar came up
A metaphor for starting a new relationship but it ended abruptly and unexpectedly.
Yeah and sweetness it was bone dry at the bottom of the cup
The relationship was lacking in emotional fulfillment and had become stale.
Yeah death she wears this strange perfume when you're traveling the white lines
Reflecting on how death seems to be everywhere when driving on the road.
Yeah she stumbles in here under a different name almost every night
Death is unpredictable and appears in different forms.
We're all cracked and crumbling just like that old sidewalk
Comparing the imperfections of people to the imperfections of an old, cracked sidewalk.
And I suppose this must be the place where the walls went up
Feeling like walls were put up to protect oneself from further heartbreak.
You make your smile a different way to cry
Pretending to be happy on the outside when really feeling sad on the inside.
When the truth that they've been selling you is just another fine lie
Realizing that what has been presented as the truth is actually a lie.
Yeah the candles on the inside they are flickering out
The internal flame and passion is slowly disappearing and fading away.
With the things they don't tell you about
Not being informed about important details or information that could have a big impact.
Can you hear the bells can you hear the alarm
Asking if one is paying attention to warning signs and alarms about potential problems.
Can you give away your life like a good luck charm
Wondering if one is sacrificing their own well-being for the sake of someone else's luck or benefit.
This is where it started breaking your heart
Identifying the moment where the heartbreak started.
Yeah this is where it started this falling apart
Acknowledging that this is where things started to go downhill and fall apart.
Contributed by Chloe V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.