Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same,
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue on and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look the same.

And the people in the houses
All went to the university
Where they were but in boxes
And they came out all the same
And there's doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.

And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school,
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same.

And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same,
There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.


Lyrics submitted by RawkCHiK04

Little Boxes song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    This song almost explicitly says what the meaning is. It is a clear opposition to conformity. It frowns upon the idea of suburbia, talking about more than just the houses but about the way people lived. Everyone tried to conform to have the ideal house and the ideal children. It was the age when the middle class rose up and everyone tried to be like their neighbors. The boxes may be different colors but they are actually all the same, all made out of ticky-tacky. The people, before they lived in the boxes went to the university where they were all "put in boxes just the same." The institution of education attempts to conform everyone as well. They all play golf (very typical middle and upper class leisure activity) All the boys go into the business, and all the girls marry the boys in business, and everyone has "pretty" children. Pretty being white, middle class, typical children. This song raises the issue of challenging convention and conformity, and mostly reflected the era that it was composed in, but has also established meaning today.

    missjulieon January 25, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    This song is a critique of the Post-World War II trend of building neighborhoods and even towns out of copycat houses. Seeger is saying that these houses have no personality and the inhabitants are empty because the individual is not celebrated. Places like Levittown NY were "manufactured" communities where houses were put up in a matter of weeks and one neighborhood looked the same as the next.

    Vozzyon April 18, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Cookie cutter towns, cookie cutter personalities, cookie cutter lives....they all look just the same.

    sakeboxon April 14, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Actually, Silver, i wouldnt be too quick to call names. The song was not originally sung by Malvina. It was WRITTEN by her, for Pete Seegers to sing, so it is incorrect to say he covered it. However, she did write the song, not Seegers...so Silver, dont call names.

    janelleon October 11, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I dont think he is just talking about houses, I mean that has to be a part of it. but I feel like he is also talking about the people that are a part of that same institution. We make the houses and live in them, so we are also really all being trained to be the same.

    And they came out all the same And there's doctors and lawyers And business executives And they're all made out of ticky tacky And they all look just the same.

    doctorbravo384on February 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is a bit countryish and I usually hate that stuff, but I love this song cuz it reminds me soooo much of my hometown. Jeeze people! ever heard of the word 'unique'?

    RawkCHiK04on August 14, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Just to add credit where it's due: this song was originally by Malvina Reynolds. Seeger definitely does it a compliment by covering it though.

    Skaman2on May 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    my neighorhood is the same too, and it's not changing as well, here in las vegas... From a birds-eye view they look like concentration camps.

    Apothon September 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I live in Las Vegas too, Apoth. I agree completely. Bleh. Conformity..

    amberloveson November 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    vozzy hit the nail on the head. Cookie cutter neighborhoods that reflect the lack of individuality of the people. People conform to society's values and raise their kids to conform too because thats whats expected.

    ruelloon March 13, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.