Ghost World
Aimee Mann Lyrics


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Finals blew, I barely knew
My graduation speech
And with college out of reach
If I can't find a job it's down to dad
And Myrtle Beach

So, I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around,
Hanging around

Everyone I know is acting weird
Or way too cool
They hang out by the pool
So I just read a lot and ride my bike
Around the school

'Cause I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around,
Hanging around

And all that I need now
Is someone with the brains
And the know-how
To tell me what I want,
Anyhow

Twelfth of June, a gibbous moon
Was this the longest day?
I'll walk down to the bay
And jump off of the dock and watch
The summer waste away

Then, I'm bailing this town-or
Tearing it down-or
Probably more like
Hanging around
Hanging around
Just hanging around





So tell me what I want

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aimee Mann's song "Ghost World" describe the feelings of a recent high school graduate who is unsure about what to do next. The singer is overwhelmed by the prospect of adulthood and struggling to find a clear direction. The singer has no job prospects and college is out of reach, so they may end up having to rely on their father and move to Myrtle Beach.


The singer observes that those around them seem to be acting weird or too cool, and they feel alienated from their peers. Rather than joining in their friends' poolside socializing, the singer reads and rides their bike around the school, indicating a sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around them. They are searching for someone to tell them what they want from life.


The bridge of the song highlights the singer's sense of uncertainty and existential confusion, with the long day of June 12th symbolizing the unending stretch of life ahead. The singer contemplates jumping off a dock and wasting away the summer, suggesting a desire to escape and avoid making difficult decisions.


Overall, "Ghost World" speaks to a universal human experience of grappling with uncertainty and searching for a sense of direction in a world that can be confusing and overwhelming.


Line by Line Meaning

Finals blew, I barely knew My graduation speech
I wasn't prepared for my graduation ceremony and I didn't give the speech well


And with college out of reach If I can't find a job it's down to dad And Myrtle Beach
Without college, I may have to rely on my father and move to Myrtle Beach


So, I'm bailing this town-or Tearing it down-or Probably more like Hanging around, Hanging around
I'm leaving this town, or maybe I'm just staying around for a while


Everyone I know is acting weird Or way too cool They hang out by the pool So I just read a lot and ride my bike Around the school
People around me are acting strange or trying to be cool so I resort to reading and riding my bike around the school


'Cause I'm bailing this town-or Tearing it down-or Probably more like Hanging around, Hanging around
I'm planning to leave this town or maybe I'm just going to hang around here for some time


And all that I need now Is someone with the brains And the know-how To tell me what I want, Anyhow
I need someone with intelligence and expertise to help me figure out what I want


Twelfth of June, a gibbous moon Was this the longest day? I'll walk down to the bay And jump off of the dock and watch The summer waste away
On June 12th, with a half-full moon, I'm going to the bay and watch the summer go by, maybe by jumping off the dock


Then, I'm bailing this town-or Tearing it down-or Probably more like Hanging around Hanging around Just hanging around
After that, I'm going to leave this place or maybe stay a little longer


So tell me what I want
Please help me find out what I want




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CLOWES, SILL, THOMAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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