High Beams
Flume / HWLS / slowthai Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We'll live when I flip the clutch
Days when I wasted a lot
Some days I was waste like plums that ain't been ate for months
Months in this place are glum
Food that I ate hit my tum
Can't settle fairy tale skin pebbles, raised in slums
Somehow I gotta make me some, I ain't tryna stay at mom's
Mom said don't play with guns, banging and playing on drums
Slanging in under no thumb, made me draw from my fund
Putting on pie and eating crumbs
Get rich till ya die don't mean that much

Could be anyone that wouldn't be me
Believing everyone except for me
All I need is TLC, block it out with THC
You would know if you seen what I seen
Ain't smooth like Maybelline
Count me out like 1, 2, 3, poof, I'm gone say my move was strong
Bite it between my teeth, said I'm moving 'long
Do you know where I've been?
Back and forth to Timbuktu, still, I come through like Mr. Sheen
Dealing with Charlie Sheens, sad times, can you play the strings?
No cut, no seam, looks could kill and I've got high beams

Out of touch, off my line, they got laws but I can't comply
Out of luck, must be blind
Been blessed so much, still I question my existence
Without a pot to piss in, distant
Travel distance, I am Mr. Kiddlin
Can't contain my position
No optimism, say I'm optimistic
Narcissistic, hard to sit with
Middle part and split the difference
Me, treat me to exorcism
Bad decision, pessimistic
Conflict about fit description
Misunderstanding don't know what I'm planning
Paint a different picture




Need a safe line and life in the caption
Why you live for Insta?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "High Beams" by Flume, HWLS, and slowthai delve into themes of struggle, resilience, self-doubt, and the desire for validation.


The first verse reflects on a difficult past, with references to wasting time and feeling worthless. The line "Some days I was waste like plums that ain't been ate for months" suggests feeling neglected or unappreciated. The mention of a gloomy environment and growing up in poverty further emphasizes a challenging upbringing.


Despite this, the lyrics convey a determination to change the current situation. There is a desire to make a better life and not rely on staying at home, as mentioned in the line, "Somehow I gotta make me some, I ain't tryna stay at mom's." The reference to guns and drums highlights a rebellious nature and an urge to break free from societal constraints.


The chorus expresses a longing for acceptance and connection. Seeking love and care ("All I need is TLC") while using substances like THC to numb the pain is highlighted. The lyrics also hint at a sense of alienation and not being recognized or understood, as indicated by the line "You would know if you've seen what I've seen."


The second verse continues to explore feelings of insecurity and a lack of self-belief. The references to Maybelline and being counted out highlight a struggle with self-image and feeling marginalized. The lyrics suggest a need to prove oneself and justify their actions, as well as a desire for recognition and respect. The line "No cut, no seam, looks could kill and I've got high beams" implies confidence and a powerful presence despite personal struggles.


The final verse touches on the disconnect the artist feels with society's expectations. They express a feeling of being out of touch and unable to conform to societal norms, symbolized by not being able to comply with laws. They acknowledge their blessings but question their own worth and purpose. The lyrics hint at feeling lost and isolated, yet determined to navigate both physical and emotional distance.


The mention of wanting a "safe line and life in the caption" reflects a desire to create a positive image on social media, highlighting the pressure to present a perfect life. The final line questions why people prioritize living for social media validation, suggesting a critique of the shallow and superficial nature of online platforms.


Overall, these lyrics paint a picture of someone who has faced adversity, struggled with identity, and seeks a sense of belonging and validation. It's a raw expression of personal struggle, resilience, and a questioning of societal expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

We'll live when I flip the clutch
We will truly start living when I take control and make a bold move


Days when I wasted a lot
There were times when I wasted a significant amount of time


Some days I was waste like plums that ain't been ate for months
On certain days, I felt useless and ignored, similar to uneaten plums left untouched for months


Months in this place are glum
The passage of time in this place feels dull and depressing


Food that I ate hit my tum
The food I consumed affected my stomach


Can't settle fairy tale skin pebbles, raised in slums
I cannot find peace and contentment in a fabricated, unrealistic world when I come from a challenging background


Somehow I gotta make me some, I ain't tryna stay at mom's
I need to find a way to make a living for myself; I don't want to rely on my mother's support


Mom said don't play with guns, banging and playing on drums
My mother warned me against involvement with dangerous activities, but I found solace in playing musical instruments


Slanging in under no thumb, made me draw from my fund
Being independent and free from control allowed me to tap into my resources and make something of myself


Putting on pie and eating crumbs
I have to work hard and make the most of whatever little opportunities I have


Get rich till ya die don't mean that much
Accumulating wealth until death doesn't hold significant value for me


Could be anyone that wouldn't be me
It could be anyone else, but they still wouldn't truly understand me


Believing everyone except for me
I have a tendency to trust everyone's words and opinions except my own


All I need is TLC, block it out with THC
All I truly crave is tender love and care, but I often mask my emotions with the use of marijuana


You would know if you seen what I seen
If you experienced what I have witnessed, you would understand


Ain't smooth like Maybelline
I am not as polished and flawless as a Maybelline advertisement


Count me out like 1, 2, 3, poof, I'm gone say my move was strong
People easily dismiss and underestimate me, but I surprise them with the strength and impact of my actions


Bite it between my teeth, said I'm moving 'long
I firmly grasp and bite down on my determination, declaring that I am moving forward without hesitation


Do you know where I've been?
Do you have any understanding of the experiences and places I have encountered?


Back and forth to Timbuktu, still, I come through like Mr. Sheen
Although I have journeyed tirelessly and faced numerous challenges, I still emerge triumphant like Mr. Sheen


Dealing with Charlie Sheens, sad times, can you play the strings?
Navigating through difficult situations and encounters with troubled individuals, can you manipulate and control the outcome?


No cut, no seam, looks could kill and I've got high beams
Without any hesitation or imperfection, my appearance is striking and capable of leaving a lasting impact


Out of touch, off my line, they got laws but I can't comply
I feel disconnected and off track, society imposes rules and regulations, yet I struggle to conform


Out of luck, must be blind
Luck has not been on my side, it seems as if I am blind to good fortune


Been blessed so much, still I question my existence
Despite being fortunate in many ways, I still contemplate the purpose and meaning of my existence


Without a pot to piss in, distant
I am financially struggling and lacking basic necessities, feeling disconnected from others


Travel distance, I am Mr. Kiddlin
I am accustomed to traveling long distances, often exploring unfamiliar territories


Can't contain my position
I cannot restrain or limit myself, I am constantly pushing boundaries


No optimism, say I'm optimistic
Despite lacking optimism, people still claim that I maintain an optimistic outlook


Narcissistic, hard to sit with
I possess narcissistic traits which make it challenging for others to be in my presence


Middle part and split the difference
By taking a neutral stance and finding a compromise, I bridge the gap between opposing sides


Me, treat me to exorcism
I need to rid myself of internal demons and negative influences


Bad decision, pessimistic
I often make poor choices and lean toward a pessimistic outlook


Conflict about fit description
There is an ongoing conflict regarding how to accurately describe or define me


Misunderstanding don't know what I'm planning
There is a general misunderstanding among others who are unaware of my true intentions and plans


Paint a different picture
I present a unique and unconventional portrayal of myself


Need a safe line and life in the caption
I require safety and stability in my life, something I can hold on to as a defining characteristic


Why you live for Insta?
Why do you prioritize and value your Instagram presence above all else?




Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Harley Streten, Justin Elwin, Tyron Frampton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@matthewbirney98

This has been stuck in my head since the mixtape premiere. Amazing

@zsozso1997

same πŸ‘‹

@lukasfalkner

stuck in my head since he posted a 10 seconds part of this piano highline in his insta story, half a year ago :P

@josephblessingh2384

Are you talking about all the songs? Cuz each one of them is stuck in my headπŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

@NguyenHieu-nl5fe

true

@rimelgana1656

Yes me too is one of my favsss

1 More Replies...

@tatefullerton3021

How can a song with such a rough exterior be so smooth. Everyone loves flume, yet I still think he is underrated.

@Jalegre

That balance of ruggedness and fluidity is why Flume is Flume. He's too good.

@aledesma6000

no one thinks he's underrated. Every one in the electronic music community see him as a god and plus he's won a grammy

@ByakuyaReborn

Bro he got a Grammy. But people listen to generic shit. This album will never blow like his others but who cares.

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