These lyrics are some of the most... hard-hitting I've ever heard, but I guess that's a personal thing. To me, it's about a couple of boys "kissing just for practise." The phrase "other boys" suggests they're both boys, as does "gigolo" and all that lot. "Hand over the window," and "at least that's what we say we are doing" imply some sort of nervousness or shame about their sexuality; they are actually attached to each other but they feel they shouldn't be. "At least they know where to put it" hints at the awkwardness of sex between boys, and... yeah, that's what I understand from it. Stuart Murdoch is a real poet. He really is a genius at writing about teenage awkwardness and obscurity. As a 16-year-old, Belle and Sebastian really mean something to me.
I agree; the male/male context is difficult to deny. others though will read into it what they want to hear. which is cool.
I agree; the male/male context is difficult to deny. others though will read into it what they want to hear. which is cool.
the way I read it: the narrator of the song is a young man at university, having occasional hookups with another young man. at certain schools and in certain circles, it's de rigeur to experiment. which the other guy is doing.
the way I read it: the narrator of the song is a young man at university, having occasional hookups with another young man. at certain schools and in certain circles, it's de rigeur to experiment. which the other guy is doing.
the narrator (possibly Stuart; who knows?) gets plenty of stinging lines, but mostly in the verse beginning:
the narrator (possibly Stuart; who knows?) gets plenty of stinging lines, but mostly in the verse beginning:
you're kissing your elbow
you're kissing your reflection
you're kissing your elbow
you're kissing your reflection
...which suggest this sort of youthful trying-on-hats derives from narcissism. one factor anyhow, as much as: a different atmosphere, away from family/town gossip, meeting a new crowd, wanting to feel fashionable etc.
the subtext: "YOU think it's annoying how superficial this scene can be? well, don't sound so wounded. 'cause you can discard this pose whenever you want."
world-weary, he foresees his (on-again, off-again) partner growing up and moving on: probably before graduation. our hero, however, doesn't think he'll have the same option to walk away.
These lyrics are some of the most... hard-hitting I've ever heard, but I guess that's a personal thing. To me, it's about a couple of boys "kissing just for practise." The phrase "other boys" suggests they're both boys, as does "gigolo" and all that lot. "Hand over the window," and "at least that's what we say we are doing" imply some sort of nervousness or shame about their sexuality; they are actually attached to each other but they feel they shouldn't be. "At least they know where to put it" hints at the awkwardness of sex between boys, and... yeah, that's what I understand from it. Stuart Murdoch is a real poet. He really is a genius at writing about teenage awkwardness and obscurity. As a 16-year-old, Belle and Sebastian really mean something to me.
I agree; the male/male context is difficult to deny. others though will read into it what they want to hear. which is cool.
I agree; the male/male context is difficult to deny. others though will read into it what they want to hear. which is cool.
the way I read it: the narrator of the song is a young man at university, having occasional hookups with another young man. at certain schools and in certain circles, it's de rigeur to experiment. which the other guy is doing.
the way I read it: the narrator of the song is a young man at university, having occasional hookups with another young man. at certain schools and in certain circles, it's de rigeur to experiment. which the other guy is doing.
the narrator (possibly Stuart; who knows?) gets plenty of stinging lines, but mostly in the verse beginning:
the narrator (possibly Stuart; who knows?) gets plenty of stinging lines, but mostly in the verse beginning:
you're kissing your elbow you're kissing your reflection
you're kissing your elbow you're kissing your reflection
...which suggest this sort of youthful trying-on-hats derives from narcissism. one factor anyhow, as much as: a different atmosphere, away from family/town gossip, meeting a new crowd, wanting to feel fashionable etc.
the subtext: "YOU think it's annoying how superficial this scene can be? well, don't sound so wounded. 'cause you can discard this pose whenever you want."
world-weary, he foresees his (on-again, off-again) partner growing up and moving on: probably before graduation. our hero, however, doesn't think he'll have the same option to walk away.