There Are Listed Buildings

To me the lyrics suggest this is one of those situations where a girl kinda lets a guy hang around. She's looking for a real catch that can give her everything but she can find one interested in her and she's worrying her self wrinkled she never will. And she's gets annoyed that our guy is always hanging around because she thinks it keeps better suitors from approaching.

But come midnight all her potential callers have gone and only our guy remains. Frustrated and forlorn, she sets to action to liven up the night and forget her woes. Our guy is ever faithful and she decides that even some romantic attention is better than none.

After all, these two people are just trying to make happiness on there own.

So basically what it comes down to is, that there are places that better left for looking at than living in, and good luck to anyone with a heart like that. And when in pursuit of love its often hard to tell what you are really after, but you'll probably take any form of affirmation.

Totally, been there. Love Los Camp!

los camp are amazing aren't they? i agree pretty much with mrbarnes' interpretation, but i found this little ditty on wikipedia that might be interesting -

"A listed building in the United Kingdom is a building or other structure officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. ... A listed building may not be demolished, extended or altered without special permission ... Owners of listed buildings are, in some circumstances, compelled to repair and maintain them. ..Owners are often compelled to use specific (and potentially expensive) materials or techniques. This, in turn, increases the cost of insuring the building."

I think he's likening the girl to a listed building - something which is extremely special or almost monumental... and that's why he watches her so closely.

• You plug and you plug
• They're not interested, I'm your only *bite

I thought it was: "We are but two atheists in lust You know we've gotta make our own love"

I might be wrong, but it seems to make sense in context.

These are the corrected lyrics, direct from Gareth himself

so what's a listed building and how does it relate to this song?

First things first, they are using listed like a 'listed boat', tipping on its side. 'your listed heart' referring to heart that isn't quite broken, but certainly not in great condition if you will.

I see the opening as a boy nearly stalking a girl, watching her on the beach, trying to crab, catching her glance through the compact mirror on her make up case that she is using to cover up her crows feet. Shes obviously not very interested.

The chorus seems like he is saying I'll fix the listed buildings and woe, for love if not for money, or just about anything he will offer him.

The next verse seems to continue the beach scene into the night time. This time, his romantic efforts seem to be paying off, impressing her with boat rides, dancing by the security lights as the neon lights have been turned off. Finally she cracks, professing her romantic intentions.

And here it comes, the reason I love Los Campesinos!: A real, honest response: 'We are two atheists in lust, we have to make our own love'. To show that this isn't some marriage monogamous relationship (as a religious marriage would be) they are building, but a fun summer romantic fling.

There is absolutely no song on this planet that I can relate to as well as this one. And I could be completely wrong on the meaning, but I like it how I think it is!

"I remember being naked to my waist though not in which direction" makes me laugh each time.

okay is it luck or love?

"I remember being naked to my waist though not in which direction."

The same joke shows up in Don DeLillo's White Noise. It's the kind of thing Gareth might have read, so it could be a reference; more likely it's just a coincidence.