No One Knows My Plan
They Might Be Giants Lyrics
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I was careless
I can see that now
I must be silent
Must contain my secret smile
I want to tell you
You my mirror
You my iron bars
When I made a shadow on my window shade
They called the police and testified
But they're like the people chained up in the cave
In the allegory of the people in the cave by the Greek guy
No one understands
No one knows my plan
Why the dancing, shouting
Why the shrieks of pain
The lovely music
Why the smell of burning autumn leaves
No one understands
No one knows my plan
Why the dancing, shouting
Why the shrieks of pain
The lovely music
Why the smell of burning autumn leaves
In my prison cell I bide my time
Always thinking
Always busy cooking up an angle
Working on the tiny blueprint of the angle
Sketching out the burning autumn leaves
No one understands
No one knows my plan
I must be silent, must contain my secret smile
I want to tell you
You my mirror
You my iron bars
No one understands
No one knows my plan
The song, No Plan B, by They Might Be Giants, is a complex and enigmatic piece of music that requires careful interpretation. The title suggests that the song is about having no alternate plan, no backup plan, and no way out. The first verse evokes a sense of regret and despair, hinting at the fact that the singer is incarcerated and is realizing the gravity of their actions. The line "I want to tell you / You my mirror / You my iron bars" seems to imply that the singer is talking to someone who they see themselves in, but who is holding them back.
The second verse is even more cryptic, with talk of shadow figures, police, and an allegory alluding to Plato's cave that describes people living in darkness and unable to see the true reality of the world. The singer is clearly feeling misunderstood, and the line "No one understands / No one knows my plan" is repeated in both verses, emphasizing the singer's sense of isolation and frustration.
The final verse is the most revealing, indicating that the singer is plotting their escape with the limited resources they have, sketching out a blueprint, and focusing on the autumn leaves burning. Perhaps the autumn leaves symbolize rebirth and renewal, indicating that the singer is hoping for a fresh start once they are released. However, the line "I must be silent, must contain my secret smile" suggests that the singer is being careful not to reveal their true intentions, perhaps to the person they see as their mirror.
Line by Line Meaning
In my prison cell I think these words
Thinking quietly to myself in my jail cell
I was careless
I made a mistake
I can see that now
Now I realize that I made a mistake
I must be silent
I cannot speak of my actions or intentions
Must contain my secret smile
I must conceal my true emotions and intentions
I want to tell you
I wish I could confide in you
You my mirror
You reflect my feelings and thoughts
You my iron bars
You are like the bars of my prison cell
When I made a shadow on my window shade
When I cast a shadow on my window
They called the police and testified
Someone reported my behavior to the authorities
But they're like the people chained up in the cave
These people are ignorant of what is actually happening
In the allegory of the people in the cave by the Greek guy
Referring to the philosophical concept introduced by Plato in The Republic
No one understands
No one comprehends my motives or actions
No one knows my plan
No one is aware of what I intend to do
Why the dancing, shouting
Why the exuberance and commotion
Why the shrieks of pain
Why the sounds of agony or distress
The lovely music
The pleasant melodies
Why the smell of burning autumn leaves
Why the scent of smoldering foliage
In my prison cell I bide my time
I am waiting patiently in confinement
Always thinking
Continually pondering my situation
Always busy cooking up an angle
Always devising a plan or strategy
Working on the tiny blueprint of the angle
Developing the specifics of the plan
Sketching out the burning autumn leaves
Imagining the consequences and aftermath of the action
I must be silent, must contain my secret smile
I must remain silent and hide my true feelings
I want to tell you
I long to reveal my true intentions to you
You my mirror
You reflect back to me my own thoughts and feelings
You my iron bars
You are like the walls of my prison cell, trapping me
No one understands
Nobody comprehends my situation
No one knows my plan
No one is aware of my intentions
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind