Purpose
Avenue Q Lyrics


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Princeton:
Purpose.
It's that little flame
That lights a fire
Under your ass.
Ha!
Purpose.
It keeps you going strong
Like a car with a full
Tank of gas.

Everyone else has a purpose,
So what's mine?

Oh look.
Here's a penny.
It's from the year I was born.

It's a sign!

Ha! Ba ba ba ba doo doo doo doo doo.

I don't know how I know,
But I'm gonna find my purpose.
I don't know where I'm gonna look,
But I'm gonna find my purpose.

Gotta find out.
Don't wanna wait.
Got to make sure that my life will be great.
Gotta find my purpose.
Before it's too late.

Ensemble:
He's gonna find his purpose.

Princeton:
Whoa ooh oh.

Princeton and Ensemble:
I'm (He's) gonna find my (his) purpose.

Ensemble:
He's gonna find his purpose.

Princeton:
Yeaaah yeah yea.

Princeton and Ensemble:
I'm (He's) gonna find my (his) purpose.

Princeton:
Could be far.
Could be near.
Could take a week
A month
A year
At a job.
Or smoking grass.
Ha!
Maybe at a pottery class.
Could it be?
Yes it could.
Something's coming.
Something good.

I'm gonna find my purpose.
Yeah.

Ensemble:
You're gonna find your purpose.

Princeton:
Whoa ooh oh.
I'm gonna find it!

What will it be? Where will it be?
My purpose in life is a mystery.
Gotta find my purpose.
Gotta find me.

Ensemble:
You're gonna find your purpose.

Princeton:
Whoa ooh oh.
I'm gonna find my purpose.

Ensemble:
Your're gonna find your purpose.

Princeton:
Pur- pur- purpose




Yeah yeah.
I gotta find me!

Overall Meaning

The song "Purpose" from Avenue Q is all about finding one's own sense of purpose in life. The song starts with Princeton talking about how purpose is a little flame that lights a fire under your ass and keeps you going strong like a car with a full tank of gas. The character then muses about how everyone else seems to have a purpose, but he is unsure what his is. He finds a penny from the year he was born and takes it as a sign that he will find his purpose.


Throughout the song, Princeton talks about the various ways he might find his purpose in life, from getting a job to smoking grass to taking a pottery class. He is determined to find his purpose before it's too late and his life is wasted. The song ends with Princeton declaring that he will find his purpose and the ensemble encouraging him in his search.


Overall, "Purpose" is a hopeful and optimistic song about the importance of finding one's own sense of purpose in life. It recognizes the challenges and doubts that can come with this search, but encourages listeners to keep pushing forward and never give up.


Line by Line Meaning

Purpose.
The concept of purpose, an intangible quality that motivates and drives a person forward.


It's that little flame That lights a fire Under your ass.
Purpose manifests as a small spark of inspiration that ignites a passion for something.


Purpose. It keeps you going strong Like a car with a full Tank of gas.
Purpose provides the fuel that sustains a person's drive and determination, much like a full tank of gasoline for a car.


Everyone else has a purpose, So what's mine?
The artist questions their own sense of purpose, feeling left out and unsure of their own path in life.


Oh look. Here's a penny. It's from the year I was born. It's a sign!
The artist latches onto a trivial event in their life and imbues it with significance as a sign from the universe, seeking guidance and direction.


Ha! Ba ba ba ba doo doo doo doo doo.
The singer maintains a sense of humor and playful energy while contemplating their purpose in life.


I don't know how I know, But I'm gonna find my purpose. I don't know where I'm gonna look, But I'm gonna find my purpose.
Despite uncertainty and confusion, the singer is determined to uncover their purpose and will search for it relentlessly.


Gotta find out. Don't wanna wait. Got to make sure that my life will be great. Gotta find my purpose. Before it's too late.
The urgency to find their purpose stems from a desire to live a fulfilling and successful life, driving the artist to take action and seek purpose proactively.


He's gonna find his purpose.
The ensemble reaffirms the artist's determination to find their purpose, providing encouragement and support.


Could be far. Could be near. Could take a week A month A year At a job. Or smoking grass. Ha! Maybe at a pottery class. Could it be? Yes it could. Something's coming. Something good.
The artist imagines a range of possibilities for where their purpose might lie, from mundane or unconventional paths to optimistic hope for a positive outcome.


What will it be? Where will it be? My purpose in life is a mystery. Gotta find my purpose. Gotta find me.
The singer acknowledges the mystery that surrounds their purpose in life, recognizing that finding it will ultimately help them find their true self.


Pur- pur- purpose Yeah yeah. I gotta find me!
The artist emphasizes the importance of finding their purpose as a means of self-discovery and asserting their own identity.




Contributed by Charlie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@alejandroceballos581

It's that little flame
That lights a fire
Under your ass.
Purpose,
It keeps you going strong
Like a car with a full
Tank of gas.
Everyone else has
A purpose
So what's mine?
Oh look! here's a penny!
It's from the year I was born!
It's a sign!
Ba-ba-ba-ba
Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
I don't know how I know,
But I'm gonna find
My purpose.
Gotta find out,
Don't want to wait!
Got to make sure that my
Life will be great!
Gotta find my purpose
Before it's too late.
I'm gonna find my purpose
Could be far, could be near
Could take a week,
A month, a year
At a job, or smoking grass
Maybe at a pottery class!
Could it be?
Yes it could!
Something's coming,
Something good!
I'm gonna find my purpose
I'm gonna find my purpose
I'm gonna find it!
What will it be? where will it be?
My purpose in life is a mystery
Gotta find my purpose
Gotta find me.



@rosskerr1439

Kim Possible/Avenue Q mashup:

Ron Stoppable as Princeton
Kim Possible as Kate Monster
Señor Senior, Junior as Brian
Yori as Christmas Eve
Dr. Drakken as Rod
Frugal Lucre as Nicky
Wade Load as Gary Coleman
Bonnie Rockwaller as Lucy
Monkey Fist as Trekkie Monster
Jim and Tim Possible as the Bad Idea Bears
Shego as Rod’s imaginary girlfriend

Somebody make this into something tangible, quick!



All comments from YouTube:

@DommyXMommy

It was awesome, my high school rented the actual puppets used in this show.

@IndyFilmProductions

My school is making us make the puppets by hand. I guess it's cheaper

@Slifer72

Legoindy7734 it's also fun for whoever makes them. My school put on Avenue Q a couple years ago, and I got to see the puppets that my class made on stage, and they weren't half bad in my opinion.

@Ously6

Your school actually performed this musical?

@isabelerhart9523

your school preformed this i'm so jel

@nuggetsforhiresecondaccoun3867

Underatted

5 More Replies...

@mobarr8865

Did this show at my highschool this past school year and every night backstage, we'd replace the word 'purpose' with 'penis'. I have never seen so many actors trying not to laugh disruptively in my life. So much fun XD

@morbidsearch

I was listening to this in the car, and right when he said 'pottery class', I passed by a sign for a pottery class

It's a sign...

@kaxamdays9540

literally

@maddoxd3193

PendulumFTW quite literally a sign...
He heh

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