The Cribs: Mirror Kissers

The Cribs, The New Fellas

"Mirror Kissers"

You aren't allowed to say that you're better
You aren't allowed to say that cos you're the hipster type, the type
You've got a lot to say, but don't mention
The mirror kissing ways of the hipster type, the type

You aren't allowed to say anything
We kicked around down water lane
But you're not all, all there
You aren't allowed to say anything
You left me on the street, talking to drains
Cos you're not all - all there

You aren't allowed to say that you're better
You aren't allowed to say that cos you're the hipster type, the type
You've got a lot to say, but don't mention
The mirror kissing ways of the hipster type, the type

You aren't allowed to say anything
We kicked around down water lane
But you're not all, all there
You aren't allowed to say anything
You left me on the street, talking to drains
Cos you're not all - all there

(repeat chorus)

You like to tell yourself that I'm nobody
I think you must have known I'd make you sorry
You like to tell yourself that I'm nobody
I think you must have known I'd make you sorry

(drum rat-a-tat-tat)

You aren't allowed to say that you're better
You aren't allowed to say that cos you're the hipster type, the type
You've got a lot to say, but don't mention
The mirror kissing ways of the hipster type, the type

This is the highlight of the album, if only for it's bald-faced accusation and unveiled contempt.

The repetition of the chorus brings the song dangerously close to being overly simplistic, but a closer look reveals its complexity…

Structure

The first stanza is shouted by more than one singer, and is punctuated after "the type" with a "whoa!", which is somewhat innocent in a Beatles-esque way.

The second stanza is sung by one lone singer in a more intimate manner. Then we go back to plural voices shouting on the third stanza (the chorus), and so on.

The "You like to tell yourself that I'm nobody" stanza comes as a surprise; it has a halting, slower delivery that takes the pace right down. It's followed by a repetitious drumming bit that winds you up like a coil, and when the final chorus is sung, it disperses the tension and brings us full circle back to where we started.

Feeling

Although the lyrics and tone of the song could be summed up as "sneering", the feeling of the song is one of exhiliration. What could be a depressing message—look at the falseness of people—feels, paradoxically, life-affirming. He's not going to let "the hipster type" bring him down.

It's a terrific musical handstand.

Context: It's Cribs Week

From The New Fellas