Limelight
Andreas Kisser & Kip Winger Lyrics


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Living on a lighted stage
Approaches the unreal
For those who think and feel
In touch with some reality

Cast in this unlikely role
Ill-equipped to act
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The underlying theme

Living in a fisheye lens
Caught in the camera eye
I have no heart to lie
I can't pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend

All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The underlying theme

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination




The underlying theme
The underlying theme

Overall Meaning

The song "Limelight" by Andreas Kisser and Kip Winger is a reflection on the life of a performer in the entertainment industry. The first verse speaks to the dichotomy of living on a stage, which is both a space for imagination and reality, and the challenge of maintaining one's identity in the face of the surreal. The second verse highlights the barriers one must put up to protect oneself from the constant scrutiny of the public eye, while the chorus speaks to the universal dream shared by those who desire fame: to be seen and known, no matter the cost.


The third verse reflects on the constant surveillance that comes with being in the public eye, and the reluctance to lie or pretend when confronted with strangers who feel like friends. The final verse brings the song full circle, reminding us that we are all performers on the world stage, playing different roles for one another.


Overall, "Limelight" is a poignant reminder of the toll fame can take on a person, and questions whether the universal dream of being in the limelight is worth sacrificing one's sense of self.


Line by Line Meaning

Living on a lighted stage
Existing in a world where attention is always shining on you.


Approaches the unreal
Coming close to something so fantastic that it feels like it exists outside of reality.


For those who think and feel
This state of being is only available for those who can process emotion and thoughts.


In touch with some reality
Despite the fantastical nature of their lives, they still have a connection to reality.


Cast in this unlikely role
Placed in a position that is unlikely and unexpected for them.


Ill-equipped to act
Despite being in this role, they lack the necessary skills and tools to fully embody it.


One must put up barriers
In order to protect themselves, they must put up emotional walls.


To keep oneself intact
These barriers help them maintain their emotional stability in the face of their unreal surroundings.


Living in the limelight
Existing in a world where fame and attention are the ultimate goals.


The universal dream
This is what many people aim for in life - to be seen and recognized by others.


For those who wish to seem
Those who want to present a certain image or facade to others.


Those who wish to be
Those who want to fully embody and live out their desired image, regardless of its authenticity.


Must put aside the alienation
In order to be successful in this world, one must accept that their public persona is not their true self.


Get on with the fascination
Embrace the allure and excitement of fame and attention.


The underlying theme
The overall idea and message of the song, which is the appeal and danger of living in the limelight.


Living in a fisheye lens
Being constantly recorded and watched, and feeling like you are on display.


Caught in the camera eye
Being captured on video or in photos, and feeling like you have to constantly perform for the camera.


I have no heart to lie
Despite the pressure to present a certain image, the singer is not comfortable with lying or being someone they're not.


I can't pretend a stranger
They cannot force themselves to be friendly or welcoming to people they feel are only trying to get close for personal gain.


Is a long-awaited friend
Despite their desire for meaningful connections, they can see through false intentions and do not want to be fooled.


All the world's indeed a stage
The entire world can feel like a performance, where people are constantly playing roles and putting on shows.


And we are merely players
Everyone is simply a figure in this grand production.


Performers and portrayers
People who are both portraying roles and performing them enthusiastically.


Each another's audience
People participate in the production of the world by watching and reacting to others around them.




Contributed by Cameron C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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