Nothing Great About Britain
slowthai Lyrics

I said there's nothing great about the place we live in
The singer emphasizes that the place they live in is not as great as it is made out to be.

Sip a cup of tea whilst we're spittin'
The singer mocks the traditional British image of drinking tea while delivering their critical message.

Bottle of Bucky in Buckingham Palace
The singer is pointing out the irony involved in consuming cheap alcohol in one of the most expensive and significant locations of English monarchy.

There's coppers from Scotland all the way down to Dagenham
The constant presence of policemen in different parts of the country puts forth the idea that there is a deeper issue with security and safety in Britain.

Waving a black cab
The reference to a black cab, an iconic British symbol, highlights how the artist is intentionally subverting the traditional norms associated with British culture.

Munchin' a fag
This line uses British slang to say that the singer is smoking a cigarette while criticizing the country they live in.

Had to skip the flights, I ain't chasing the dragon
The singer refused to engage in dangerous activities, implying that there is an issue of drug addiction and dependence in the country.

You look like death warmed up
The artist is calling out the unhealthy lifestyle habits of the people around them, suggesting that there is a wider problem with public health in the country.

She ain't a spice just a korma
The artist is making a metaphorical reference to a basic Indian dish by saying that someone they know is unremarkable and unexciting.

I ain't Dizzee, I'm just a boy in a corner
The artist is distancing themselves from the popular image of successful Black British rappers and emphasizing their own powerless position in society.

Call me "King Whitey", puking up off a corner
The singer adopts a derogatory term as a badge of honor, mocking the racial hierarchy in the country and presenting an alternative image to the stereotypical one presented by the Royal Family.

All I tasted is korma, ASBO restraining order
The artist repeats the earlier metaphor and associates it with a court-imposed order that limits their personal freedom, emphasizing the constraints of living in Britain for people from certain backgrounds.

I put manners on a punk, 'cause I haven't had my skunk
The singer is using British slang to say that they are disciplining someone for being rude, indicating that the social norms of the country are not always upheld.

Miss teddy I ain't ten I squeeze your neck until you pop
The singer is making a violent threat against a person who is presumably not taking them seriously, highlighting the dangerous nature of living in a society where aggressiveness is valued.

I was waiting on my friends outside the local shops
The singer provides a simple observation of everyday life and human interaction in their locality.

See the feathers turning red, white beauty hold a swan
The artist is describing a red British passport showing up against the white of a swan, probably indicating the contrast between the country's identity and its reality.

Walking 'cross the Thames
The artist is making a reference to the iconic river that flows through London as a central part of British geography and culture.

Firing slingshots 'cause its nee naw nee naw
The singer is again mocking the British culture of using sirens sounding like "nee naw" to indicate police presence.

Dem waiting 'cause po
The singer is using Jamaican slang, indicating that the police are waiting for them because they are suspects, suggesting that the law enforcement system in Britain is not always fair.

I am a prodigy they made me
The artist is shouting out their identity as a young, talented, and probably marginalized artist, highlighting the potential of British youth.

I wear chains like my granddad did in slavery
The artist is referencing their Black heritage in Britain and drawing a parallel between their personal history and the institution of slavery, calling out the racism prevalent in the country.

You're about as black as Ainsley that's bounty
The artist is referencing the classic British food brand, Bounty, while commenting on the tendency of the masses to look down upon people of color despite their British nationality.

Appropriate the culture before they take heed
The singer is encouraging the younger generation to embrace their own culture (as a form of resistance to the one in place), before it is distorted and appropriated by people in power.

Change dream more shape and break please
The artist is calling out for change - change in dreams, change in shapes, and breaking out of borders - all of which allows Britain to grow and evolve.

Pick it up
The singer is telling someone to pick up an unknown object, emphasizing this element's importance.

Put it down
The singer is telling someone to put down an unknown object, emphasizing that it is important to handle it properly.

Bend it
The singer is telling someone to bend an unknown object, hinting at a certain kind of flexibility required to tackle British problems.

It breaks and you can't fix it without me
The artist is talking about the things that are broken in society and how it cannot be fixed without collective effort and they are a part of said collective.

Fucking pussyhole
The artist uses a derogatory term for a coward out of frustration at their surroundings and the way they feel about the country.

I'm a geezer
The singer refers to themselves using British slang meaning a man that is tough, working-class, or cheeky.

Botch job the builder ain't know better
The singer is mocking the half-hearted and low-quality work being done by builders, highlighting the failures of the country's workmanship.

So called gangster I'll put cheese in your cellar
The artist is using humor to mock the portrayal of gangsters in British media and movies, showcasing how easily they could infiltrate their lives.

Ayia Napa popping bottles, what's up fella?
The artist is making a reference to the party island of Ayia Napa in Cyprus, indicating the desire to travel and have fun beyond British borders.

You play the decoy I'll take food from the cellar
The artist is making an attack on those who are not true to themselves, asserting that they will take what is theirs rather than play games.

Top lad oi oi oi oi, oi girl whats your ploy
The singer is making a reference to 'Lad Culture' and how it is normalized in Britain, meanwhile, they are questioning why the girl they are with is trying to manipulate their image.

That man's your boy, I'll slap man way too coy
The artist is mocking the fake relationships and behaviors they witness, and how they will respond with violence if put in a situation where they are forced to act.

Three lions, Real McCoy, you're EDL, real English boys, St George's flag, Doc Martin boy
The singer is making a mess of different British symbols and images in a satirical way, showcasing the absurdity of the country's cultural identity.

Call her a slag, but don't mean it boy
The singer is criticizing the tendency to insult women and call them derogatory terms, but recognizes the fact that such actions are deeply ingrained in the society they live in.

Don't ask, don't get, how you get, nice things, life, moves fast, roundabouts and swings
The singer is using the popular phrase 'you don't ask, you don't get' to comment on the unequitable ways things are obtained in life, striking a melancholy tone.

Swings and roundabouts you're round my kid
The artist is using another popular phrase to indicate the cyclical nature of life, and one person's win equals another person's loss.

Grass ain't always greener where the other side lives
The artist is cautioning against idealizing another country or place without weighing the pros and cons, because there are significant drawbacks everywhere.

Tea 'n biscuits, mash, jellied eels and a couple little trinkets
The singer is sarcastically pointing out the stereotypical British foods and their country's habit of valuing useless trinkets.

East end you Phil Mitchell, Get stabbed with the Phillips
The singer is referencing the popular British soap, Eastenders, as well as its tough main character, Phil Mitchell. They are alluding to the violence caused by the use of lethal weapons in the areas they live in.

Hand on my heart I swear I'm proud to be British
The artist may not find the country to be perfect, yet identifies and takes pride in being British.

Kate Middleton now (I'd wifey her I would)
The artist is referencing Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and is expressing their admiration for her.

I wouldn't lie, you're an English rose, I wouldn't lie to you
The artist is providing a direct compliment to Kate Middleton while sarcastically commenting on the significance of her English heritage.

I tell you how it is, I will treat you with the utmost respect
The singer is indicating their openness to communicate truthfully and show respect.

Only if you respect me a little bit Elizabeth, you cunt
The artist is making a dig at the Queen (Elizabeth Windsor) for promoting a classist and discriminatory system, while simultaneously saying even the most powerful need to exchange respect.