Hey Hey My My
White Ring Lyrics


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My my, hey hey
Rock and roll is here to stay
It's better to burn out than to fade away
My my, hey hey
Out of the blue and into the black
They give you this but you payed for that
And once you're gone, you can't ever come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black
The King is gone but he's not forgotten
This is the story of a Johnny Rotten




It's better to burn out than it is to rust
The King is gone but he's not forgotten

Overall Meaning

White Ring's song Hey Hey My My features a perfect combination of noise-laden and distorted music, paired with lyrics that question the concept of rock and roll, and the power that it still holds today. The song begins with the iconic phrase "My my, hey hey, rock and roll is here to stay," which is a clear reference to the rock and roll genre's longevity and influence over the years. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the message is not that simple. The lyrics include the line "It's better to burn out than to fade away," which can be interpreted as a message that suggests that it is more admirable to go out in a blaze of glory than to slowly disappear from the spotlight.


The song also delves into the idea of consumerism and the way that people are sold things that they do not necessarily need. The phrase "They give you this but you paid for that" implies that people are often misled into thinking that they are getting one thing, but they end up with something entirely different. The lyrics then go on to suggest that once you are gone, you can never come back, which can be seen as a metaphor for the difficulty in returning to a simpler and more authentic way of life once you have become corrupted by capitalism and the trappings of modern society.


Overall, White Ring's Hey Hey My My is a thought-provoking song that challenges the listener to question their own values and priorities. The combination of raw and powerful music with lyrics that carry a powerful message makes this song one that stands out and leaves a lasting impression.


Line by Line Meaning

My my, hey hey
The singer is acknowledging the presence of rock and roll music and its continued importance in the world.


Rock and roll is here to stay
The singer believes that rock and roll music will always be relevant and continue to exist.


It's better to burn out than to fade away
The singer believes that it is better to have a short and intense life than to have a long and uneventful one.


Out of the blue and into the black
The singer is describing a sudden and unexpected change from a positive to a negative state.


They give you this but you payed for that
The singer is pointing out the unfairness or deception in a transaction where the buyer does not get what they paid for.


And once you're gone, you can't ever come back
The singer is expressing the finality of death and the impossibility of reversing its effects.


The King is gone but he's not forgotten
The singer is paying homage to a notable musician or figure who has passed away but still remains in the memory of others.


This is the story of a Johnny Rotten
The singer is telling the story of someone who was rebellious, brave, outspoken or otherwise notable, using Johnny Rotten as an example.


It's better to burn out than it is to rust
The singer believes that it is better to go out while you're still at your best, rather than let yourself deteriorate over time.


The King is gone but he's not forgotten
The singer is repeating the same idea as before, using different words to emphasize the importance of remembering and respecting those who have passed away.




Contributed by Jack D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

_ _iconoclast

R.I.P. Kendra, was honored to be part of the prayer alongside all White Ring fans and supporters tonight. Thank you for your beautiful voice and words in a world so cold.

CAPYTANK

i love still white ring but it just aint the same ;(

Brody Ivy

The original singer of White Ring passed away 2 years ago (Nov 2019)

joshrawks21

What are you talking about??

Samael

this is my eternal drug that got me into witchhouse. all hail those pleasant and hazy weed induced nights while listening to this good stuff. hey hey, my my

Samael

@submar1ne <3

submar1ne

y e s

Samael

Listening to them right now, @Psychedelic Support

Psychedelic Support

могу сказать то же самое про те годы...... Summer Of Haze !

Ukko

These songs are so calming

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