A Sister's Social Agony

I think it is about 'indie kids', those long faced people, and their seemingly elitist society. The speaker's sister is trying to be a part of this attractive society, - she listens to the right music ('play indie rock if that's what you want') and watches the right movies ('quote Mike Leigh films'), - and she may as well succeed, but she is still sad and lonely. still depressed and feels phoney and hypocrite, because it's not her life, it's not what she loves truly.

Her older sister sees and understands all of this (perhaps she too did the same thing when she was younger) and she gives her younger sister advices and tips about being her own person: 'try your best not to disguise'.

The younger sister is a delicate girl ('you bruise like a cherry') and the snide remarks of her so called friends offend her ('words they mean nothing to some in this world'). The older sister cries for her sister, and yet she can't save her. It's up to the young sister to understand what she is doing wrong and to fix it herself.

One can understand this lovely song as a declaration of intent from the band. Camera Obscura are an indie band, but they were never a majot part of the indie scene, nor they wish to be.

Oh, it is almost like my older sister wrote this song and sang it to me. It's basically a perfect description of me and how she feels about me.

This song perfectly describes my relationship with my sister. I think it's about an older sister talking to her younger sister, telling her about the trials and tribulations of dating.

i think its "Despise" instead of "Disguise" this song is soo pretty, i love the "oooohs" throughout.

She says "despise", not "disguise". I agree with you guys, and I wish I had a big sister like Tracy.

I think it's A Sister's. I love this song.

I definitely agree with what's being said. The speaker has probably been through the same phase of growing up as her sister, quoting Mike Leigh films and thinking it makes her hipper and intelligent as a result. As an older sibling it's pretty easy to relate to because as you get older you realise how silly such attitudes are but ultimately can't stop the younger from doing it, just as no one could stop you yet.

I used to think this was a bit tame for the elder to be chastising the younger to be doing - I mean, what's harmful about listening to indie rock? I realised later though the thing about her 'friends' putting her down. The overall message of the song is about not trying to fit in and putting up with cruel treatment as a result.

i think it's about a girl who tries to hard to fit in with a "cool" crowd, compromising herself when it's not really who she is