Too Much Attention
Gilbert O'Sullivan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paid to people who believe
That the world we live in
Really isn't round
Yes there's too much attention
Paid to people just like me
Who'll confess their only aim in life
Is down
There is too much attention
As to where we all should be
And to how much we should know
Inside how long
Yes there's too much attention
And the reason I believe
Is because we are what we are right or wrong
So forgive me when I tell you
I ain't got no place to go
I ain't got no-one to talk to
Got no one left to say hello
There is too much attention
Paid to him who shot at he
And to how he got away
But didn't quite
Yes there's too much attention
So much so that we'll believe
He's not guilty of the crime which he's
Being tried
So forgive me when I tell you
I ain't got no place to go
I ain't got no-one to talk to
Got no one left to say hello
In Gilbert O'Sullivan's song Too Much Attention, the lyrics speak to the overwhelming amount of attention society gives to people who hold certain beliefs or ideas, as well as the excessive scrutiny placed on those who may have committed a crime. The first verse speaks to the idea that those who believe in things that are commonly accepted to be untrue, such as the world being flat, are given too much attention. O'Sullivan himself admits to being one of these people, saying "there's too much attention paid to people just like me." He also touches on the concept of societal expectations and pressures, stating that there is too much attention placed on where individuals should be in life and how much they should know. He notes that regardless of right or wrong, humans are flawed beings and should not be held to such high standards.
The chorus of the song, "So forgive me when I tell you I ain't got no place to go, I ain't got no-one to talk to, got no one left to say hello," speaks to the isolation and loneliness that can come with not fitting in with societal norms and expectations. The second verse references the attention given to someone who has committed a crime and the speculation surrounding the details of the incident. O'Sullivan believes that society is too quick to jump to conclusions and believes that the accused is often falsely acquitted due to the excessive attention given to the case.
Overall, the song speaks to the dangers of placing too much importance on societal norms and the pressure to conform. O'Sullivan seems to be advocating for a more lenient and accepting society that does not judge individuals so harshly based on differing beliefs or actions.
Line by Line Meaning
There is too much attention
The focus that is given to certain beliefs or actions are far too great and unwarranted
Paid to people who believe
These people have a strong conviction towards their beliefs
That the world we live in
Their focus lies on the structure and nature of the world around us
Really isn't round
They reject the widely accepted idea that the Earth is spherical in shape
Yes there's too much attention
The emphasis given is far too excessive and unnecessary
Paid to people just like me
The singer himself is being included in this group of people receiving undeserved attention
Who'll confess their only aim in life
They openly admit that their sole purpose in life is to fulfill their own self-interests
Is down
They are willing to bring others down in order to achieve their own goals
As to where we all should be
The excessive focus also pertains to the ideal places and positions that people should aspire to be in
And to how much we should know
The amount of knowledge one possesses is also given great importance
Inside how long
Even the amount of time it takes to gain this knowledge is being given unwarranted attention
And the reason I believe
The singer thinks that the reason behind this misplaced focus is
Is because we are what we are right or wrong
People are being judged not based on their actions or beliefs but on their inherent qualities as a human being without any room for error or growth
Paid to him who shot at he
The excessive attention is also given to criminal acts and capturing the perpetrator
And to how he got away
The methods used by the criminal to escape are also being given great attention
But didn't quite
Even though they were not completely successful in their attempt to escape
So much so that we'll believe
The attention given to the criminal is so excessive that people are starting to believe in their innocence
He's not guilty of the crime which he's
The criminal is being pardoned in the court of public opinion
Being tried
The trial is still ongoing
So forgive me when I tell you
The singer is asking for forgiveness because
I ain't got no place to go
He feels lost and out of place in this world that gives so much attention to the wrong things
I ain't got no-one to talk to
He has no one to turn to for support or understanding
Got no one left to say hello
The people who used to greet him and make him feel welcome are no longer around
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAYMOND O'SULLIVAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Colella
impressionante l'energia che trasmette questo ritmo incalzante del piano sincopato e delle percussioni, campanaccio incluso ,ARTISTA UNICO E GENIALE , IRRAGGIUNGIBILE
Pietro Bausano
Uno de los buenos temas del álbum Himself con la onda y el estilo CLÁSICOS de Gilbert- Su primer Lp que está 90 % bueno y la obra cumbre por supuesto es Nothing Rhymed!!!!!!
오마이갑
Gilbert O'Sullivan is a Genius songwriter ! Thank you Gilbert..!
Michael Katz
I love this song.
melancholiac
My fave from the 'Himself' album.
Marc Walton
His first album 'Himself' is arguably his best. I grew up with it at home and it's still in my rotation.
Melancholiac
Himself featured as Radio One album of the week. Bought it instantly. Loved it. Bought his first few singles. But baulked at Ooh Wakky Doo Wakky Day.
Literate, melodic songsmith.
george orellana
Great song
prone69
Funky tune, love the flute too
Celtic Crusader
Awesome Tune!