White Town is a techno-pop act (actually only one man, Jyoti Mishra, born i… Read Full Bio ↴White Town is a techno-pop act (actually only one man, Jyoti Mishra, born in Rourkela, India, on July 30, 1966; Mishra has lived in the United Kingdom since the age of three), often regarded as a one-hit wonder for its 1997 song "Your Woman", which sampled a 1930s song called "My Woman" by Al Bowlly, which was featured in the Dennis Potter drama Pennies From Heaven. This single was often known not by its name, but by the title of the EP it originally appeared on - ">Abort, Retry, Fail?_".

Mishra, a straight edger and ex-Marxist, often incorporates political concerns in his songs veiled in terms of personal relationships (as in his only hit). After a troubled working relationship with EMI Records, Mishra was dropped from the label in 1997 and since then has gone back to working with indie labels like Parasol Records. His last album, 2000's Peek & Poke, received moderately enthusiastic reviews but sold pitifully compared to his major label work.

In 2005 White Town contributed the song "The PNAC Cabal" to the charity album "Voyces United for UNHCR" (Voyces United for UNHCR (disc 1)).

In October 2006 White Town released a new album, Don't Mention The War on Mishra's own label, Bzangy Records.

Bunny Boiler
White Town Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Everything you try to do
Always seems to turn to shit
Every plan and stupid scheme
Can't you just give up and quit
Take it away
Just take it away

So don't phone me when you are down

And don't send me your joke emails
I'm not your friendly safety net
In fact I'm happy when you always fail
Take it away
Just take it away

I'm standing here
I can hear your voice
I don't want to any more

But it looks like you have given me
No choice

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to White Town's "Bunny Boiler" depict the frustration and annoyance of the singer with someone in their life who continuously fails at everything they attempt. The tone of the lyrics is one of exasperation and disappointment with this person, as the singer seems to have given up on trying to offer help or support. The repetition of the phrase "take it away" reinforces this desire to distance oneself from this individual and their constant failures.

The second verse, where the singer explicitly states that they are not interested in being a safety net for this person, highlights the sense of betrayal that has led to the breakdown in the relationship. The pithy remark about being happy when the other person fails is a particularly cutting piece of dialogue that demonstrates the level of resentment and bitterness that has built up over time.

The final lines of the song, where the singer declares that they don't want to hear the other person's voice anymore, serve as the ultimate rejection and the final nail in the coffin of their relationship. It is clear that this person has burned all their bridges and is now completely isolated.

* White Town is the project of Jyoti Prakash Mishra, an Indian-born British musician.
* "Bunny Boiler" was released in 2000 as part of White Town's album "Peek & Poke."
* The term "bunny boiler" itself is a reference to the 1987 film "Fatal Attraction," in which the main character boils a pet rabbit belonging to her ex-lover's daughter.
* The song received mixed reviews upon its release, with some finding the lyrics too harsh and others praising the honesty and relatability of the sentiments expressed.
* The song has been interpreted by some critics as a commentary on toxic relationships and the importance of setting boundaries.
* The use of the phrase "take it away" has been compared to similar phrases used in other songs, such as "Layla" by Eric Clapton and "Wake Up Little Susie" by The Everly Brothers.
* "Peek & Poke," the album on which "Bunny Boiler" appears, was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2000.
* White Town achieved international success with their 1997 hit single "Your Woman."
* In 2011, White Town released a new album called "Monopole" after a hiatus of several years.
* The chords for "Bunny Boiler" are Am, C, Dm, and G, with a chord progression of Am, C, G, Dm, and Am.

Line by Line Meaning

Everything you try to do
Every attempt you make

Always seems to turn to shit
Ends up failing miserably

Every plan and stupid scheme
All your ideas and silly strategies

Can't you just give up and quit
Why don't you just stop trying altogether

Take it away
Get rid of it

Just take it away
Just remove it completely

So don't phone me when you are down
Don't call me when you're feeling low or defeated

And don't send me your joke emails
Don't bother sending me humorous emails

I'm not your friendly safety net
I'm not here to catch you every time you fall

In fact I'm happy when you always fail
Truthfully, I derive pleasure from your constant shortcomings

I'm standing here
I'm present and listening