Xiu Xiu (pronounced "shoo shoo") is an American experimental group, formed … Read Full Bio ↴Xiu Xiu (pronounced "shoo shoo") is an American experimental group, formed in 2002 in San Jose, California by original members Jamie Stewart, Lauren Andrews, Yvonne Chen, and Cory McCulloch. Currently, the line-up consists of Jamie Stewart (the only constant member since formation) and Angela Seo. The group is based out of Los Angeles and New York.

Over the life of the band, their music has taken influence from noise, modern classical, dance, post-punk, minimalism, Asian percussion music, and American folk music. Frequently noted as well are the films of Todd Solondz, Shohei Imamura, David Lynch, and Seijun Suzuki and the books of Elfriede Jelinek, V.S, Naipaul, Yukio Mishima, and Ingeborg Bachmann.

Over both song concepts or music videos, the art of Xiu Xiu is often memorable to a newcomer by its divisive response. The music of Xiu Xiu has been noted for the lead singer's bleakness either contrasting or complementing the chaotic instrumentation, lyrics commonly including references to depression, suicide, family issues, militarized violence, abuse, sexual disaffection, and body dysmorphia. The band's public image has taken a similar tone, including the insertion of a poster into an LP sleeve (for the album "Dear God, I Hate Myself") of photographs of band-related cuts, brands, and tattoos sent by listeners. They have been critically divisive.

To date, they have released well over 50 titles including albums, 7inches, books, film works and dance pieces. They have collaborated with a number of artistic and musical luminaries such as Carla Bozulich, Michael Gira, Merzbow, Dahn Vo, Monika Gryzmala, Grouper, Larsen, These Arches, Deerhoof, John Congleton, Dirty Beaches, Oxbow, and Shearwater.

The name Xiu Xiu is taken from the film "Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl." They currently release albums on Bella Union and Polyvinyl Records.

Don't Cha
Xiu Xiu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I know you like me
I know you do
That's why when I come around
She's all over you
And I know you want me too
It's easy to see
And in the back of your mind
You know you should be on with me

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?
Don't cha?
Don't cha, baby? Don't cha?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?
Don't cha?
Don't cha, baby? Don't cha?

Fight the feeling
Leave it alone
'Cause if it ain't love
It just ain't enough to leave my happy home
Let's keep it friendly
You have to play fair
See I don't care but I know
She ain't gonna wanna share

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?
Don't cha, baby? Don't Cha?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?
Don't cha?
Don't cha, baby? Don't cha?

I know she loves you
I understand
I'd probably be just as crazy about you
If you were my own man
Maybe next lifetime
Possibly
Until then old friend
Let's just see if you can hang with me

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?
Don't cha?
Don't cha, baby? Don't Cha?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?
Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?

Don't cha?
Don't cha, baby? Don't Cha?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Xiu Xiu's "Don't Cha" articulate a complicated dynamic between three individuals caught in a love triangle. The singer knows that the person she desires is already romantically involved with someone else, but she can't help feeling like there's something between them. She acknowledges the fact that the other person's girlfriend is possessive, and that he's drawn to her. Flirting with danger and tempting the fates, the singer suggests that he should be with her instead, because they've got chemistry he can't deny. The refrain sarcastically asks the rhetorical question, "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" highlighting the singer's perceived superiority to the current girlfriend, and that she thinks he should choose her over his current partner. She also implies that she's much more of a "freak" than the other party, insinuating that there's more to explore with her.

In the second stanza, the singer tells him that they should "fight the feeling" and stay away from each other, because their attraction is too dangerous. She expounds on this idea, noting that if it's not love, then it's not worth sacrificing her happy, healthy home life over. The singer suggests that they keep things friendly, but she also knows that the other person's girlfriend will never want to share him with someone else. However, the singer can't help hoping that he'd prefer to be with her instead - which is why she repeats the refrain, "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" with increasing urgency.

Overall, "Don't Cha" is a song that speaks to the messiness that can arise when people's emotions get the best of them. Rather than portraying a clear-cut narrative, the song delves into the complexity and ambiguity of human relationships, where love and lust can sometimes blur together in unexpected ways.

Line by Line Meaning

I know you like me
I am aware that you have feelings for me.

I know you do
It is clear to me that you are interested in me.

That's why when I come around / She's all over you
I observe that when I am near, the girl you are with is trying to get your attention as she knows you are interested in me.

And I know you want me too / It's easy to see / And in the back of your mind / You know you should be on with me
I am aware that you also have an attraction towards me, which is easy to recognize. You know deep down that being with me is the right decision for you.

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?
Wouldn't you like it if your girlfriend was as physically attractive as I am?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?
Wouldn't you want your girlfriend to be sexually adventurous like I am?

Don't cha?
Don't you agree?

Don't cha, baby? Don't cha?
It is a rhetorical question I am asking to emphasize my point.

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me?
Wouldn't it be great if your girlfriend had the same uninhibited personality as me?

Don't cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me?
Wouldn't it be nice if your girlfriend was exciting and entertaining like I am?

Fight the feeling / Leave it alone / 'Cause if it ain't love / It just ain't enough to leave my happy home
You should resist your urges and leave the matter alone, as if it's not love, it isn't worth putting my happy home at risk.

Let's keep it friendly / You have to play fair
Let's maintain a friendly relationship and you need to be honest while pursuing it.

See I don't care but I know / She ain't gonna wanna share
I personally have no concern about sharing you, but the girl you're with will not be okay to share you with somebody else.

I know she loves you / I understand / I'd probably be just as crazy about you / If you were my own man
I understand that the girl you are with has genuine affection for you. If you were my partner, I would also have strong feelings for you.

Maybe next lifetime / Possibly / Until then old friend / Let's just see if you can hang with me
Perhaps in another lifetime, we can explore our relationship. Until then, let's see if you can keep up with me as a friend.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Anthony Ray, Thomas Callaway, Trevor Smith

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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