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.

In my head
White Town Lyrics

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Should be enough to love someone
Just be happy they're alive
Do you have to know what they're doing
Like a job from nine to five

But the big bad wolf is coming
Singing 'he la la' what's new
He's going to blow our fragile house in

And run away with you
Oh won't you stay
Here for a day
In my head

And a walk is such a long way
When you have to get to her
An infinily of individual steps
Separates you from that girl

But the big bad wolf is coming
Singing 'he la la' what's new
He's going to blow our fragile house in
And run away with you
Oh won't you stay
Here for a day
In my head
All the things you tried to do
All those times you could never see it through
Everything you thought that you knew
Melted away
Left you no truth

Should be enough to love someone
Just be happy she's alive
Do you have to know that she hates you
Like a job from nine to five
And every time you talk to her
She seems to like you less
Was it all a misunderstanding
Just a big elaborate test

But the big bad wolf is coming
Singing 'he la la' what's new
He's going to blow our fragile house in
And run away with you
Oh won't you stay

Here for a day
In my head

Overall Meaning

In White Town's song "In My Head", the lyrics begin by touching on the theme of overthinking in relationships. The singer questions the need to know every detail about someone's life, suggesting it should be enough to simply love them and be happy that they are alive. The idea of a societal expectation to have a job and follow a set routine is also mentioned, further emphasizing the singer's aversion to being boxed-in.

However, this idyllic vision is quickly disrupted by the arrival of the "big bad wolf" singing "he la la" which implies a sense of carelessness and disregard. This metaphorical wolf could represent a competing party attempting to take the love interest away from the singer. The use of "our fragile house" highlights the singer's vulnerability and attachment to their relationship, as well as the fear that it may be easily destroyed by external factors.

As the song continues, it becomes apparent that the singer is physically far from the love interest and every step towards reaching them seems insurmountably difficult. Although the lyrics suggest a longing to have the love interest with them "for a day" in their head, the reality of the situation is that "all the things you tried to do, all those times you could never see it through, everything you thought that you knew, melted away, left you no truth".

The final verses revisit the questioning of the love interest's feelings towards the singer and whether it was all a misunderstanding or a test. The repetition of the "big bad wolf" singing "he la la" serves as a haunting reminder that the threat remains and could blow their delicate situation to pieces.

Line by Line Meaning

Should be enough to love someone
Loving someone should be sufficient

Just be happy they're alive
Feel content and blessed that they're alive

Do you have to know what they're doing
Is it necessary to know every detail about their life?

Like a job from nine to five
Just like a regular job with set hours

But the big bad wolf is coming
An ominous force is approaching

Singing 'he la la' what's new
Mocking and belittling the situation with a carefree song

He's going to blow our fragile house in
He will destroy our vulnerable structure (relationship)

And run away with you
Take away the one you love

Oh won't you stay
Please don't leave

Here for a day
Even for a brief moment

In my head
In the safety of my mind