Yeah Yeah Yeahs is an American rock band formed in New York City in 2000. T… Read Full Bio ↴Yeah Yeah Yeahs is an American rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The group is composed of vocalist Karen O, guitarist Nick Zinner, and drummer Brian Chase. The band has recorded five studio albums; originally signed to independent Touch and Go Records, their first four albums were released by major record label Interscope. The first, Fever to Tell, was released in 2003. The second, Show Your Bones, was released in 2006 and was named the second best album of the year by NME. Their third studio album, It's Blitz!, was released in 2009. All three albums earned the band Grammy Award nominations for Best Alternative Music Album. Their fourth album, Mosquito, was released in 2013. The newest album, Cool it Down, was released September 30, 2022, through Secretly Canadian.

Discography:
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs (EP) (2002)
• Fever to Tell (2003)
• Show Your Bones (2006)
• It's Blitz! (2009)
• Mosquito (2013)
• Cool It Down (2022)

Rockers To Swallow
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, hey

Hey, hey

Tell me we're rockers to swallow
Tell me we're knockers to bite
And out of the beats of tomorrow
Tell me what beat fills the night

A da da da da da swallow
A da da dat da da wallow
A da da dat da da wallow
A da da dat da da wallow hey

Hey, hey

Hey, hey

No need for those
It's all over your clothes
It's all over your face
It's all over your nose
No need for those
It's all over your clothes
It's all over your face
It's all over your nose

Cheap high
High light
Cheap high
High night

A da da da da da swallow
A da da dat da da wallow
A da da dat da da wallow
A da da dat da da wallow hey

Tell me we're rockers to swallow
Tell me we're knockers to bite
And out of the beats of tomorrow
Tell me what beat fills the night

A da da da da da swallow
A da da dat da da wallow
A da da dat da da wallow
A da da dat da da wallow hey

Hey, huh, hey

Overall Meaning

The song "Rockers To Swallow" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs is a high energy, punk rock song that examines the nature of rock and roll culture. The repeated lyrics "tell me we're rockers to swallow, tell me we're knockers to bite," suggest a desire to be validated as true rockers, even if it means being taken in and consumed by the lifestyle. The line "out of the beats of tomorrow, tell me what beat fills the night" comments on the ever-evolving nature of rock music, and the desire to stay relevant and ahead of the curve. The repeated "da da da da da swallow" and "da da dat da da wallow" are nonsensical, yet infectious, adding to the overall loud and chaotic feel of the song.

The second part of the song seems to address the excess and superficial nature of rock and roll culture. The lines "no need for those, it's all over your clothes, it's all over your face, it's all over your nose" suggest a disregard for the consequences of indulging in the lifestyle, with "cheap high" and "high light" referring to drug use and superficial success, respectively. Once again, the repeating "da da da da da swallow" and "da da dat da da wallow" are emphasized, almost sounding like a chant or mantra for those caught up in the world of rock and roll.

Overall, "Rockers To Swallow" is a powerful comment on the nature of rock and roll culture, both celebratory and critical in its approach. It captures the energy and rebellion of the genre, while also acknowledging its pitfalls and excesses.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey, hey
A simple greeting or attention-grabber

Tell me we're rockers to swallow
Expressing a desire to be embraced by the culture and lifestyle of rock and roll

Tell me we're knockers to bite
Asking if they're aggressive and confident like rockers are often perceived as being

And out of the beats of tomorrow
Wondering what the future of music will bring

Tell me what beat fills the night
Asking for guidance and inspiration for creating new music that will resonate with people

No need for those
Suggesting that external validation and material possessions don't matter

It's all over your clothes
Their internal attitude and energy is reflected in their outward appearance

It's all over your face
Their passion for music and rock culture is clearly visible in their expressions

It's all over your nose
Their enthusiasm for rock and roll is so strong that it's as if they can smell it

Cheap high
Perhaps referencing the hedonistic lifestyle often associated with rock musicians

High light
A play on words which could refer to the spotlight on stage, or the intense feeling of euphoria from music and performance