Content Guide
The Streets Review: The Streets led by Mike Skinner return and they send me straight back to the early 2000s with their new song, “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors”. I always remember first hearing “Dry Your Eyes” back in 2004 and although they have struggled to get back to the peak of their previous fame, they are still a force in the alternative hip-hop space.
Song Analysis (The Streets Review)
Categorising The Streets has always been difficult, are they hip hop or are they indie? Who knows? Also, who really cares when their music hits home? Their new track, “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors” is pretty much what you would expect but with fresh vigour. It starts with the sound of industrial noise, and the mood changes with warm piano tones, somewhat akin to what you may expect in a cafe. But, the shuffling drum rhythm with a bpm between 100-110bpm and the vocals which emerge from Mike Skinner give the track an edge.
Meaning (My Perception) (The Streets Review)
Mike Skinner is talking about repetition, both in the context of personal growth and failure. There is a recurring line, “The winner will repeat themself, losers want to change,” and it suggests that those who succeed do so by sticking to what they know best and maintaining consistency and repetition in their actions. On the flip side, those who fail are caught in a cycle of trying to change, to the point where it hinders their ability to learn or improve. This contrast highlights the tension between embracing repetition for mastery and the desire for change, which can often lead to indecision or failure; his choice of words are clever.
There is also an investigation into the idea of instinct against deliberate decisions. Moreover, Mike contrasts the instinctive responses, like “snipping at your sheet,” with the more deliberate approach of repeating successful actions. The references to nature, such as the behavior of lizards and the “proof in the data,” suggest that patterns and repetition are part of the natural order, both in the animal kingdom and human behavior. The lyrics also hint at the internal battle between confidence and doubt, with the “cheated head” and “foggy brain” representing the confusion that comes from overthinking or second-guessing oneself.
Listen To “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors” by The Streets
You can listen to “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors” by The Streets below. Also, let me know your thoughts in the comment section beneath this article.
- Billie Marten – “Feeling” Review: Folk At Its Best [5/5] - March 27, 2025
- Beach Bunny – “Big Pink Bubble” Review: A Powerful Anthem [4/5] - March 26, 2025
- Jonas Brothers – “Love Me To Heaven” Review: The Boys Return [4/5] - March 21, 2025