Cheap and Cheerful

The Kills' song 'Cheap and Cheerful' is a raw and rebellious anthem that challenges societal norms and the monotony of everyday life. The lyrics express a deep dissatisfaction with the mundane and predictable aspects of existence, yearning instead for something more intense and chaotic. The opening lines, 'I'm bored of cheap and cheerful / I want expensive sadness,' set the tone for the entire song, highlighting a desire for experiences that are more profound and emotionally charged, even if they come with a higher cost.

The repeated plea for craziness over sanity underscores a rejection of conventional behavior and social graces. The lines 'I want you to be crazy 'coz you're borin' baby when you're straight / I want you to be crazy 'coz you're stupid baby when you're sane' suggest that true excitement and authenticity come from breaking free of societal expectations and embracing one's wild side. This theme is further emphasized with the imagery of 'sharp-tipped teeth' and 'illegal meat,' which evoke a sense of primal, untamed energy.

The song also touches on the idea that love and human connection are not as simple as they seem. The line 'love is just a dialogue / you can't survive on ice-cream / you got the same needs as a dog' implies that relationships require more than superficial niceties; they demand raw honesty and a willingness to confront the darker aspects of human nature. By advocating for a more unfiltered and unapologetic approach to life, 'Cheap and Cheerful' serves as a powerful critique of societal pressures to conform and a call to embrace one's true self, no matter how chaotic or unconventional that may be.