Prisoners in Paradise
Europe Lyrics
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I want to learn how to fly
I want to be respected
I want to get lucky
I want to get out of this dump
I just want to watch TV
I want to be loved
I want to be different
I want a brother and sister
I'd just rather be forgotten
I want to save the world
I want to be understood
I want to be rich
Man, I just want to be somebody
Julie's got the word today
She lost her job just one last pay
Life don't come easy anymore, no
Still struggling on, by herself
Got a picture of Jimmy
There on the shelf
And she looks at him and says
Why did we let it go
I know that sometimes baby
We didn't see things eye-to-eye
But I got just one question
Did we have to say goodbye, oh
Just like prisoners in paradise
Still far from heaven's door
Yeah, we had it all
But still we wanted more
Now I realize that I can't turn back
The future's here to stay, but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday
Whoa, yeah
Well, Jimmy still recalls the night
When he took his guitar
And headed on out
To find the big time
Yeah, that was his dream
He gave up his past
And made it alright
But there's something missin'
In his heart tonight
Sometimes what you want
Ain't what you need
No, no
He misses drivin' down to the lake at night
Holdin' his baby in his arms so tight
Ain't it hard to find illusions
When you're livin' in a memory
Oh, just like prisoners in paradise
So close but yet so far
There will come a time
No matter who you are
When you ask yourself
Was it right or wrong
For me to turn away, but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday
Whoa yeah-yeah
Prisoners in paradise
Prisoners in paradise, yeah yeah
We're just prisoners in paradise
Still far from heaven's door
Yeah, we had it all
But still we wanted more
We're just prisoners in paradise
So close but yet so far
There will come a time
No matter, no matter who you are
When you ask yourself
Was it right or wrong
For me to turn away, but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday
The lyrics of Europe's song "Prisoners in Paradise" seem to convey the desire for a better life, for respect, luck and love, but also the feeling of being trapped, stuck in a place that doesn't fulfill those aspirations. The first stanza consists of a series of conflicting desires that showcase the complexity of human ambition and the paradoxical nature of wanting to be different while also wanting to be loved and understood. The second stanza presents two characters, Julie and Jimmy, who seem to have had a past together and are now reminiscing about their mistakes and missed opportunities. The chorus describes their situation as being like prisoners in paradise, having had everything they wanted but still wanting more and feeling trapped in their present circumstances.
The song seems to be questioning the nature of human desire and the satisfaction that can be gained from pursuing one's dreams. It highlights the idea that even after achieving success or having everything one thought they wanted, something might still be missing. The lyrics emphasize the importance of living in the present and not getting lost in past regrets or future aspirations.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to learn how to fly
I desire to learn something new and challenging.
I want to be respected
I crave validation and admiration from others.
I want to get lucky
I hope to achieve success without necessarily putting in the necessary work.
I want to get out of this dump
I long to escape my current unpleasant situation.
I just want to watch TV
I seek comfort and distraction from the mundanity of everyday life.
I want to be loved
I desire affection, care, and acceptance from others.
I want to be different
I aim to stand out and be unique in comparison to others around me.
I want a brother and sister
I long for the companionship and bond of a sibling relationship.
I'd just rather be forgotten
I feel as though my presence and existence is insignificant and would prefer to not be noticed or remembered.
I want to save the world
I aspire to make a large-scale positive impact and bring meaningful change to society.
I want to be understood
I hope to be comprehended and empathized with by others in regards to my beliefs and experiences.
I want to be rich
I seek financial stability and the ability to obtain and afford anything and everything that I desire.
Man, I just want to be somebody
I desire to establish my individuality and distinctiveness as a person.
Julie's got the word today
The character named Julie is the current focus of the song's narrative.
She lost her job just one last pay
Julie recently became unemployed and received her final paycheck as a result.
Life don't come easy anymore, no
Life has become increasingly difficult and burdensome recently.
Still struggling on, by herself
Despite hardships, Julie is continuing to persist and persevere alone.
Got a picture of Jimmy
Julie has a photo of someone named Jimmy in her possession.
There on the shelf
The photo of Jimmy is currently placed on a shelf in Julie's home.
And she looks at him and says
Julie speaks to the photo of Jimmy.
Why did we let it go
Julie wonders why she and Jimmy is no longer together.
I know that sometimes baby
The artist acknowledges that complications and disagreements may arise in relationships.
We didn't see things eye-to-eye
The singer and their partner had differing viewpoints and opinions on certain matters.
But I got just one question
The artist has a single inquiry on their mind.
Did we have to say goodbye, oh
The singer questions whether or not ending the relationship was truly necessary.
Just like prisoners in paradise
The singer likens themselves and their ex-partner to captives trapped in a state of paradise and subsequent dissatisfaction.
Still far from heaven's door
Despite being in a pseudo-idyllic situation, the singer still feels unfulfilled and unaccomplished.
Yeah, we had it all
At some point in the past, the artist and their ex-partner were seemingly content and fulfilled in their relationship.
But still we wanted more
Despite having a seemingly satisfying relationship, the artist and their partner were not completely fulfilled and still yearned for something else.
Now I realize that I can't turn back
The singer has come to the realization that they cannot undo the past and must move forward from it.
The future's here to stay, but hey
The present and future are inevitable and unchanging, but the singer remains optimistic.
We're just children of tomorrow
The artist believes that they live in the present while also being shaped and influenced by the future.
Hangin' on to yesterday
The artist holds onto their past experiences and memories as they move forward into the future.
Well, Jimmy still recalls the night
The narrative has now shifted to focus on the character of Jimmy and his memories.
When he took his guitar
Jimmy fondly reminisces about the time when he began pursuing his musical career with his guitar.
And headed on out
Jimmy ventured out on his own to pursue his musical aspirations.
To find the big time
Jimmy sought to achieve widespread success and recognition as a musician.
Yeah, that was his dream
Becoming a successful musician was Jimmy's ultimate aspiration.
He gave up his past
Jimmy dedicated himself fully to the pursuit of his dreams and let go of his previous life and experiences.
And made it alright
Jimmy succeeded in his musical career and felt content with the outcome.
But there's something missin'
Jimmy still feels as though there is something essential and unfulfilled in his life.
In his heart tonight
Jimmy is currently experiencing emotional turmoil and discontentment.
Sometimes what you want
The singer acknowledges that desires and wants do not always line up with one's needs.
Ain't what you need
The artist recognizes that needs are separate from desires and acknowledge that true fulfillment may come from something unexpected.
He misses drivin' down to the lake at night
Jimmy fondly remembers moments of simplicity and happiness, such as driving to a lake at night time.
Holdin' his baby in his arms so tight
Jimmy remembers precious moments with his loved ones and wishes he could go back to them.
Ain't it hard to find illusions
The singer comments on the difficulty of finding comfort in superficial desires and materialistic longings.
When you're livin' in a memory
The artist recognizes that memories and past experiences provide little comfort when one is living in the present reality.
So close but yet so far
The singer recognizes that fulfillment and satisfaction seem close but unattainable.
There will come a time
The singer recognizes the inevitability of questioning one's past decisions and actions.
No matter who you are
The singer acknowledges that everyone may experience the same feelings of confusion and regret.
When you ask yourself
One will eventually come to question themselves and their past decisions and desires.
Was it right or wrong
The artist is uncertain whether certain actions or decisions were ultimately right or wrong in the grand scheme of things.
For me to turn away, but hey
The singer acknowledges particular instances in which they followed through with their desire to turn away from a certain situation or relationship, but remain optimistic about the future.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joey Tempest
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adunawomi6408
Lyrics
"Prisoners In Paradise"
I want to learn how to fly
I want to be respected
I want to get lucky
I want to get out of this dump
I just want to watch TV
I want to be loved
I want to be different
I want a brother and sister
I'd just rather be forgotten
I want to save the world
I want to be understood
I want to be rich
Man, I just want to be somebody
Julie's got the word today
She lost her job just one last pay
Life don't come easy anymore
Still strugglin'on by herself
Got a picture of Jimmy
There on the shelf
And she looks at him and says
Why did we let it go
I know that sometimes baby
We didn't see things eye-to-eye
But I got just one question
Did we have to say goodbye
Just like prisoners in paradise
Still far from heaven's door
We had it all but still we
Wanted more
Now I realize that I can't
Turn back the future's here
To stay but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday
Jimmy still recalls the night
When he took his guitar
And headed on out
To find the big time
That was his dream
He gave up his past
And made it alright
But there's something missin'
In his heart tonight
Sometimes what you want
Ain't what you need
He misses drivin' down
To the lake at night
Holdin' his baby
In his arms so tight
Ain't it hard to find illusions
When you're livin' in a memory
Just like prisoners in paradise
So close but yet so far
There will come a time
No matter who you are
When you ask yourself
Was it right or wrong
For me to turn away but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday
@iwans8386
This song rings true to many of us and our lives. One of the most meaningful and powerful for me personally, not to mention melodic and melancholic.
Just like prisoners in paradise - We live in such an amazing world, a beautiful planet (paradise), but we are imprisoned by our troubled minds, unclear desires and neverending wants that can never seem to be free (prisoner).
So close but yet so far – we are right here in the most beautiful planet in the galaxy but yet we fail to realize it. The best possible reality for us seems so distant in our mind. But in the physical reality, what we have at this current moment, right NOW, is the best possible thing at the best possible time. The past is dead and who knows if we’ll live to see tomorrow?
We have it all but still we want more – Often, we feel life is not enough, can have more & can be better. We are ever so greedy that it’s this greed that has imprisoned us.’
We’re just children of tomorrow, hanging on to yesterday – We always think the past is better; the 70’s, the 80’s, the 90’s. We are trying to escape from the ‘Now’ because we are not satisfied with what we have now. We cannot let go of the past because we are afraid to face the tomorrow, thinking it will just be worse.
Cheers to great songs!
@ngetiktok9789
still listening in 2024 ?
@alexdelpiero1985
Presente
@Thesoulneverdies-ze7np
Of course😉
@Adrinmamz
This song still gives me goosebumps after 30 years
@scottwoodham7842
Yes I agree with you and I'm 53 and I still listen have all of their CD's and I still jam out too them all-the-time okay
@user-nt6jn4jv9p
Wau I 'm 49 😂😂😂
@Adrinmamz
Im 44🤗
@vickiross9002
Joey has a good singing voice even now he is 60
@srimurwati2918
Song when I was in high school. I listened to this song when there was only cassette. I am now 44 yo. Still my favorite song. Damn!
@judas2891
Same here friend..I'm 43. Good times n great memories.