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Funhouse
Bruce Hornsby Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jenny drove out to Vegas for the first time
Picked up a guy hitching on the highway side
Rode into town together looking for a sign
Thought they saw something in the keno lights

She'd always do what she should
A nice girl of the neighborhood
Had everything that money could buy
[Incomprehensible], looking for the

Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, don't be frightened
Who knows what you'll find

Jimmy was fascinated with the made men
Went out to find any movie he could rent
Died his hair black, I bought him an olive oil suit
To run with the wolves, like Romulus in reno would

I know you play by the rules
But I know you've got a dark streak too
And go out for a closer view
Go out for a ride, looking for the

[Chorus]
Funhouse, dark as night
Strap in for the long ride
Funhouse, danger's high
Who knows, you might like it

She loved how she felt that tingle in her body
When she had her palm read in the back of the house
She loved how everybody loved her when she took it out
Would jump around, would scream and shout

Forbidden fruit sure tastes fine
Better than towing the long, straight line
Careful what you ask for you might just find
You like it when you cross the line, looking for the

[Chorus: x2]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bruce Hornsby's song "Funhouse" tell the story of two individuals, Jenny and Jimmy, who decide to indulge in a wild and adventurous lifestyle. Jenny leaves her hometown and picks up a hitchhiker on her way to Las Vegas, where they both look for a sign to guide them. They end up in a dark and mysterious funhouse, where they strap in for a long and dangerous ride. Meanwhile, Jimmy is fascinated with gangsters and wants to emulate them by dying his hair black and wearing an olive oil suit. The song highlights the thrill of living dangerously and enjoying life to the fullest.


The lyrics suggest that Jenny and Jimmy are bored with their mundane lives and desire something more exciting. They both feel a sense of adventure and want to do something that is out of the ordinary. The funhouse represents this desire to let go and experience something new and exciting. The song seems to suggest that life is short, and one should take risks and have fun while they can. The lyrics are open to interpretation and can be seen as either a cautionary tale or a celebration of living life to the fullest.


Overall, "Funhouse" is a song that encourages listeners to take chances and experience life to the fullest. The lyrics are well-written and thought-provoking, and the music is catchy and upbeat.


Line by Line Meaning

Jenny drove out to Vegas for the first time
Jenny traveled to Vegas for the first time


Picked up a guy hitching on the highway side
Jenny gave a ride to a hitchhiker on the side of the highway


Rode into town together looking for a sign
Jenny and the hitchhiker rode into the town together, searching for a clue


Thought they saw something in the keno lights
Jenny and the hitchhiker believed they saw something relevant in the keno lights


She'd always do what she should
Jenny tended to follow rules


A nice girl of the neighborhood
Jenny was a good girl who lived in the community


Had everything that money could buy
Jenny had all the possessions money could purchase


[Incomprehensible], looking for the
She felt something was missing and was searching for it


Funhouse, dark as night
The funhouse was dark, even at night


Strap in for the long ride
Prepare for an extended and intense experience


Funhouse, don't be frightened
Despite its ominous reputation, there's no need to be scared of the funhouse


Who knows what you'll find
The possibilities of what you may come across in the funhouse are endless


Jimmy was fascinated with the made men
Jimmy was intrigued by the mafia


Went out to find any movie he could rent
He sought out the mafia movies he could find


Died his hair black, I bought him an olive oil suit
He darkened his hair and someone else bought him a mob-style suit


To run with the wolves, like Romulus in reno would
He wanted to be part of the groups that run things like the legendary Romulus in Nevada did


I know you play by the rules
The singer is aware Jenny usually follows the rules


But I know you've got a dark streak too
But the singer knows that Jenny also has a rebellious side


And go out for a closer view
The singer suggests she goes out for a closer look


Go out for a ride, looking for the
Looking for the same missing thing she's always searched for


She loved how she felt that tingle in her body
Jenny enjoyed the sensation she experienced within her body


When she had her palm read in the back of the house
She felt the tingling while having her palm read in the back of the house


She loved how everybody loved her when she took it out
She loved the attention she got when she expressed herself


Would jump around, would scream and shout
She would jump around and scream in excitement


Forbidden fruit sure tastes fine
Indulging in the taboo is usually enjoyable


Better than towing the long, straight line
It's better than living a monotonous life


Careful what you ask for you might just find
Be cautious of what you wish for - you might get it


You like it when you cross the line, looking for the
Jenny enjoys crossing the line and searching for what she's always been seeking


Funhouse, dark as night
The funhouse is dark, even at night


Strap in for the long ride
Prepare for an extended and intense experience


Funhouse, danger's high
Despite its mysterious reputation, there's a lot of risk involved


Who knows, you might like it
It's possible that you may end up enjoying it


[Chorus: x2]
Same as the previous chorus




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: BRUCE HORNSBY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@edreynolds3745

WHAAAAATT???
This band has everything. Soul. Musical eloquence, GROOVE, improvisation, connection to each other and the audience. Acceptance/ generosity.
I've worked on the guitars of world famous folks. I've seen lots of concerts. I've never heard/seen anything like this, that I could connect to on all levels.
So darn human. So visceral. I dig it when they all "go nuts" . Jeez!! Makes me re-inspired. 
WHAATT???
Ed
Austin Texas.

@nelliannevanderzee3280

I couldn’t have said it better!

@buckyplayz1919

So much fun. I’ve seen him a bunch of times on Cape Cod, Mass. unbelievable!!!!!!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

@jeremiahjamsband

We love Bruce and his band!!! Thank you for being a true inspiration 🎶❣️

@johngibbs799

Bruce, please come to Honolulu. Concert venues empty most nights. Hardly anybody comes here to play live. They say it's too far to fly. Hawaii people are loyal fans.

Anyway, thanks for posting this nice performance of Fun house.
John 😇

@nathanielmkansi9986

this is brilliant music...the band is superb

@george.s.8491

Great song! Great album! Great band!

@darkstarcomic3234

Bruce hornsby, very good the live , greetings .

@helenrodriguez8892

HEY PEOPLE'S! SONY EMORY YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! SING IT DAMIT!!! OH BOY I wish was THERE...🌷💋 great you guys

@Melanie-le6mw

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

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