A Cautionary Tale
Barrett Wilbert Weed Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Based on actual events where people died
No one died
But how far would you go
To be popular and hot?
Would you resist temptation?
No, you would not!
Just admit it
Sometimes being mean is what you are
Mean is easier than nice
And though mean can take you far
Maybe this will make you think twice
Kick! Layout! Fosse!
This is a cautionary tale
About corruption and betrayal!
And getting hit by a bus!
You can't buy integrity at the mall, it's not for sale
Nice (Thank you)
This is a cautionary tale
Oh oh ayyaya ayyaya
Our story begins across the globe in Africa, Africa!
The song A Cautionary Tale by Barrett Wilbert Weed is a warning about the dangers of fear, lust, and pride. The lyrics, "It's a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride, Based on actual events where people died," are a reference to the fact that many people have lost their lives due to these three vices. However, in this particular story, no one actually dies.
The song then asks the listener, "But how far would you go to be popular and hot? Would you resist temptation? No, you would not! Just admit it." The lyrics are warning the listener that, in order to be popular and hot, one may be willing to do anything, even if it is wrong. It also highlights the fact that sometimes being mean is what comes naturally to people, even if it is not the right thing to do. The song finishes off with a reminder that integrity cannot be bought and is not for sale.
Overall, A Cautionary Tale warns against the dangers of pride and greed and the importance of staying true to one's values.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride
The song is a warning about the dangers of giving in to fear, lust, and pride.
Based on actual events where people died
The song is inspired by real events, but no one actually died in this case.
But how far would you go
The song asks a rhetorical question about one's willingness to go to great lengths.
To be popular and hot?
The question specifically refers to the desire for popularity and attractiveness.
Would you resist temptation?
The song wonders whether someone would be able to resist temptation to achieve their desired outcome.
No, you would not!
The song suggests that most people would not be able to resist temptation.
Just admit it
The song urges the listener to be honest with themselves.
Sometimes being mean is what you are
The song acknowledges that some people are innately cruel or unkind.
Mean is easier than nice
The song suggests that being mean is often easier than being kind or compassionate.
And though mean can take you far
The song recognizes that sometimes being mean can lead to success or popularity.
Maybe this will make you think twice
Despite acknowledging that meanness can lead to positive outcomes, the song encourages the listener to reconsider their behavior.
Kick! Layout! Fosse!
These are dance terms used in the song, and don't have a deeper meaning.
This is a cautionary tale
The song reiterates that it is a warning to the listener.
About corruption and betrayal!
The song specifically warns against corruption and betrayal.
And getting hit by a bus!
This line comes out of nowhere and just adds a humorous element to the song.
You can't buy integrity at the mall, it's not for sale
The song highlights that integrity is not something that can be bought or sold, but rather comes from within oneself.
Nice (Thank you)
This line comes at the end of the song as a polite way of ending the performance.
Oh oh ayyaya ayyaya
These are non-lyrical sounds used in the song, and don't have a deeper meaning.
Our story begins across the globe in Africa, Africa!
This line starts the story of the song's cautionary tale, which takes place in Africa.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Nell Benjamin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aimeed8305
The lyrics :
[JANIS]
It’s a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride
Based on actual events where people died
[DAMIAN, spoken]
No one died
(sung)
But how far would you go
To be popular and hot?
Would you resist temptation?
[JANIS]
No, you would not!
Just admit it
[BOTH]
Sometimes mean is what you are
Mean is easier than nice
And though mean can take you far
Maybe this will make you think twice
[DAMIAN, Spoken]
Kick! Layout! Fosse!
[JANIS]
This is a cautionary tale
About corruption and betrayal!
[DAMIAN]
And getting hit by a bus!
[JANIS]
You can’t buy integrity at the mall, it’s not for sale
[DAMIAN, spoken]
Nice
[JANIS, spoken]
Thank you
[BOTH]
This is a cautionary tale
[ENSEMBLE]
OHHH. OHHH. AYYAYA. AYYAYA
[DAMIAN, spoken]
Our story begins across the globe in Africa. Africa!
@rowturboat
lyrics:
It's a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride
Based on actual events where people died
No one died
But how far would you go
To be popular and hot?
Would you resist temptation?
No, you would not!
Just admit it
Sometimes mean is what you are
Mean is easier than nice
And though mean can take you far
Maybe this will make you think twice
Kick!
Layout!
Fosse!
This is a cautionary tale
About corruption and betrayal!
And getting hit by a bus!
You can't buy integrity at the mall, it's not for sale
Nice
Thank you
This is a cautionary tale
OHHH. OHHH. AYYAYA. AYYAYA
Our story begins across the globe in Africa. Africa!
@zackstark2696
[JANIS]
It’s a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride
Based on actual events where people died
[DAMIAN, spoken]
No one died
(sung)
But how far would you go
To be popular and hot?
Would you resist temptation?
[JANIS]
No, you would not!
Just admit it
[BOTH]
Sometimes mean is what you are
Mean is easier than nice
And though mean can take you far
Maybe this will make you think twice
[DAMIAN]
Kick! Layout! Fosse!
[JANIS]
This is a cautionary tale
About corruption and betrayal!
[DAMIAN]
And getting hit by a bus!
[JANIS]
You can’t buy integrity at the mall, it’s not for sale
[DAMIAN, spoken]
Nice
[JANIS, spoken]
Thank you
[BOTH]
This is a cautionary tale
[ENSEMBLE]
OHHH. OHHH. AYYAYA. AYYAYA
[DAMIAN, spoken]
Our story begins across the globe in Africa. Africa!
@tdlover5164
Lyrics
Janice: It's a cautionary tale
Of fear and lust and pride
Based on actual events
Where people died
Damien: No one died
But how far would you go
To be popular and hot?
Would you resist temptation?
Janice: No you would not
Just admit it, sometime...
Both: Mean is what you are
Mean is easier than nice
And though mean can take you far
Maybe this will make you think twice
Damien: Kick! Layout! Fosse!
Both: This is a cautionary tale
About corruption and betrayal
Damien: And getting hit by a bus!
Janice: You can't buy integrity at the mall
It's not for sale
Damien: Nice.
Janice: Thank you.
Both: This is a cautionary taaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaale!
Damien: Our story begins across the globe in Africa! Africa!
@lilabauer1877
It's a cautionary tale of fear and lust and pride
Based on actual events where people died
[DAMIAN, spoken:]
No one died
[sung:]
But how far would you go
To be popular and hot?
Would you resist temptation?
[JANIS:]
No, you would not!
Just admit it
[BOTH:]
Sometimes mean is what you are
Mean is easier than nice
And though mean can take you far
Maybe this will make you think twice
[DAMIAN, spoken:]
Kick! Layout! Fosse!
[BOTH:]
This is a cautionary tale
About corruption and betrayal!
[DAMIAN:]
And getting hit by a bus!
[JANIS:]
You can't buy integrity at the mall, it's not for sale
[DAMIAN, spoken:]
Nice
[JANIS, spoken:]
Thank you
[BOTH:]
This is a cautionary tale
[ENSEMBLE:]
OHHH. OHHH. AYYAYA. AYYAYA
[DAMIAN, spoken:]
Our story begins across the globe in Africa. Africa!
@obscuresquirrel7765
Janis:
"It's a cautionary tale, of fear and lust and pride, based on actual events where people died"
Damien:
"No one died. But how far would you go, to be popular and hot? Would you resist temptation?"
Janis:
"No you would not."
Janis:
"Just admit it sometimes..."
D&J:
"Mean is what you are, mean is easier than nice, and though mean can take you far, maybe this will make you think twice"
Damien:
"Kick! Layout! Fosse!"
D&J:
"This is a cautionary tale, about corruption and betrayal!"
Damien:
"And getting hit by a bus!"
Janis:
"You can't buy integrity at the mall, it's not for sale"
Damien, spoken:
"Nice"
Janis, spoken:
"Thank you."
D&J:
"This is a cautionary tale!"
@sashacda
“Actual events where people DIED”
Barrett, your Veronica is showing again
@jojotayag698
OMG YES XD
@reagelacio9665
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
@velvaete2688
yes
@seasaltine
OMG I KNEW I HEARD HER VOICE BEFORE BUT I DIDNT KNOW SHE WAS VERONICA
@silver2813
YES
@fantasmike
When the first person you hear singing on this recording is Barrett Wilbert Weed, you know it's gonna be good.
@natelaadlens2943
Oh man you right
@catarinabakker8405
mike walsh-thorpe True, I’m out here trying to figure out in which songs she sings so i can download them all jfc
@learlclah618
mike walsh-thorpe truth