Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Bird on a Wire
Rogue Wave Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Are you hoping to get out of this mess
Truckloads of coffee, conditioned to confess
You're a bird on a wire
And you're wrestling

Who's dirty laundry are you turning out fresh
Little miss bossy is brimming with breast
You're a bird on a wire
And you're wrestling
No station is final

Popping the pricks and the pins
Are you stopping to smell the good sins
Are you stopping to lift the good dress

Geriatric at 20 years old
Break like a matchstick as soon as you're told
You're a bird on a wire
And you're wrestling
No station is final

Don't do what I do

(You're rotting now)
â??Yeah whatever,â?? she said

Overall Meaning

In "Bird on a Wire," Rogue Wave sings about somebody who seems to be trapped in a difficult situation and is trying to find a way out. The lyrics suggest that the person has been conditioned to confess under pressure, and is wrestling with problems that seem to be never-ending. The line "You're a bird on a wire" implies that the person is in a precarious position, stuck between conflicting forces that are pulling them in different directions.


The lyrics also allude to a sense of rebellion; the person is turning out "dirty laundry" and defying authority (represented by "little miss bossy"), but at the same time, they seem to be struggling to find their footing. The lines "Geriatric at 20 years old / Break like a matchstick as soon as you're told" convey a sense of weariness and vulnerability - perhaps suggesting that the individual is young, but has already been ground down by life.


Throughout the song, there is a sense that the person is searching for meaning and purpose. The line "No station is final" suggests that there is always room for growth and change, and the repeated refrain "Don't do what I do" seems to be a plea to avoid making the same mistakes as the singer. Overall, "Bird on a Wire" is a powerful meditation on the human condition - a reminder that we are all struggling, but can still find hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.


Line by Line Meaning

Are you hoping to get out of this mess
Are you trying to find a way out of this difficult situation?


Truckloads of coffee, conditioned to confess
You're relying on caffeine to keep you going and feeling the pressure to admit your faults.


You're a bird on a wire And you're wrestling
You feel trapped and vulnerable, trying to break free and overcome your struggles.


Who's dirty laundry are you turning out fresh
Whose secrets and hidden faults are you trying to expose?


Little miss bossy is brimming with breast
There's someone who is demanding and controlling, imposing their will at the expense of others.


No station is final
There's no endpoint, no resolution, and things are always in flux.


Popping the pricks and the pins
You're trying to remove the obstacles and challenges in your way.


Are you stopping to smell the good sins
Are you taking the time to appreciate life's pleasures and indulge in some harmless indulgences?


Are you stopping to lift the good dress
Can you appreciate the beauty and goodness in the world despite its flaws and imperfections?


Geriatric at 20 years old Break like a matchstick as soon as you're told You're a bird on a wire And you're wrestling
You feel old and exhausted despite your youth, and are easily crushed by criticism and fear. You're still fighting the same battles and struggling to find your way.


No station is final
Nothing lasts forever, and there's always change and uncertainty looming ahead.


Don't do what I do
This advice should be heeded in order to avoid the mistakes and regrets of the artist.


"Yeah whatever," she said
This dismissive response suggests a lack of interest or concern, or perhaps a reluctance to engage in deeper conversation.




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Zachary David Schwartz

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

More Versions