Every time you look my way
You shine a light in what you say
Every time you look my way
You talk a rhyme called purple haze

Close your eyes and pretend
You're not at all a black friend

A smileless girl on the strip
You really learn just how to be hip
Tell your stories 'bout your crazy trip
Messing with stars and doing tricks

Close your eyes and pretend
It started all back then

Big glass house on the hill
Doing dope but did you swear
Yesterday was buried last year
While I don't care I thought was clear

Close your eyes and pretend
This is how it should end

Cinderella of the night
Doesn't know her left from right
She so hungry for a bite
Forget your friends for a big night

Don't you know who's keeping score
Who's that barking at your door

Hold tight with fear, a little bit
Hold tight with fear, a little bit
Hold tight with fear, a little bit
Hold tight with fear
That was then, this is now

Hold tight with fear, a little bit
Hold tight with fear, a little bit
Hold tight with fear, a little bit
Hold tight with fear
That was then, this is now

Every time you look my way
Remember a girl who used to say
Hold me tight any way
It's okay it's only play

I will remember in my dawn
What I came for, for a lark


Lyrics submitted by shut

On the Strip Lyrics as written by Lee M. Ranaldo Kim Gordon

Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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On The Strip song meanings
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2 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    Keeping with the record's theme, sounds like it's about a runaway kid's story on L.A. The guitar riff where Kim's singing "hold tight and fear..." it's a true work of art, it expresses so much angst. I believe I've gone somehow deaf blasting that part on my headphones.

    I've updated the lyrics straight from the SY and mustang's sites:

    Every time you look my way You showed a lie in what you say Every time you look my way You talk a rhyme called purple haze Close your eyes and pretend You're not at all like them Smartest girl on the strip You really know just how to be hip Tellin stories 'bout your crazy trip Messin with stars and doing tricks Close your eyes and pretend It's not at all like then Big glass house on the hill Doing dope and ditching school Yesterday Bruce Barry was here A wild kid I thought was cool Close your eyes and pretend This is how it should end Cinderella of the night Doesn't know her left from right She's so hungry for a bite Forgetting her friends fork and knife Don't you know who's keeping score? Who's that barking at your door? Hold tight and fear a little bit Hold tight and fear a little bit Hold tight and fear a little bit Hold tight and fear That was then, this is now Every time you look my way Remember a girl who used to say Hold me tight anyway It's okay, it's only play I remember in the dark Where I came from for a lark

    Kerzeon February 20, 2007   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion

    One comment? Beautiful song by Kim. JC and this song is probably my favorite by her.

    V1NYLon May 19, 2009   Link

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