Thrills
Cake Lyrics
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And it's all vanity.
And that's about the way it is in the merry-go-round
You get on, you go around, standing in the saddle
Man is born, man lives, and man dies
And it's all vanity.
He tried thrills
He said I gave myself to enjoy pleasure
What are teenagers doing today?
They're trying every thrill there is in the books.
They got color TV.
But it is still isn't satisfying.
Man is born, man lives, and man dies
And it's all vanity.
You can't understand it
It's going so loud and so forth
And they're a-wigglin' and a-wobblin' around
And everything else
And, and, and yet they're not satisfied
And, and these disc jockeys,
They hear the tune that is different.
Man is born, man lives, and man dies
And it's all vanity.
You can't understand it
It's going so loud and so forth
And they're a-wigglin' and a-wobblin' around
And everything else
And, and, and yet they're not satisfied
And, and these disc jockeys,
They hear the tune that is different.
They hear the tune that is different.
Man is born, man lives, and man dies
And it's all vanity.
The lyrics to Cake's song "Thrills" touch upon a common theme in philosophy, which is the idea that life is transient and ultimately meaningless. The repeated line "Man is born, man lives, and man dies, and it's all vanity" emphasizes this theme, suggesting that all human endeavor is ultimately futile in the face of death. The songwriter points to the search for thrills and pleasure as a specific example of this phenomenon, noting that despite the many opportunities for entertainment and excitement in modern life (such as color TV and trendy music), people still feel unsatisfied and unfulfilled.
The imagery of a merry-go-round serves as a metaphor for the cyclical nature of life, with individuals going through the same motions repeatedly without any real sense of progress or change. The line "standing in the saddle" suggests that people are not simply passive riders on this merry-go-round but actively trying to make the most of their limited time by seeking out new experiences and sensations.
Overall, the song suggests a sense of disillusionment with modern society and its values, as well as a deep-seated existential angst about the meaning of existence itself. It encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives and the choices they make, and to consider whether the pursuit of thrills and pleasure is truly fulfilling or simply a distraction from the inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
Man is born, man lives, and man dies
And it's all vanity.
Life is a cycle of birth, living, and death that is ultimately meaningless.
And that's about the way it is in the merry-go-round
You get on, you go around, standing in the saddle
Life is like a merry-go-round, where you keep going round and round but don't make any progress.
He tried thrills
He said I gave myself to enjoy pleasure
What are teenagers doing today?
They're trying every thrill there is in the books.
They got color TV.
But it is still isn't satisfying.
People seek thrills and pleasure, but even with modern conveniences like color TV, they still feel unfulfilled.
You can't understand it
It's going so loud and so forth
And they're a-wigglin' and a-wobblin' around
And everything else
And, and, and yet they're not satisfied
And, and these disc jockeys,
They hear the tune that is different.
People are bombarded with noise and distractions, seeking something that will satisfy them but never finding it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WILLY NOEL DE MOOR, JEAN JOSEPH KLUGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind