He has written songs for Sesame Street and The Weekly Reader, has starred in an Emmy Award-winning television show for children and has been featured regularly on The Learning Channel.
Polisar works with literacy groups, media specialists, reading teachers and Title I programs in the schools and has won a Special Library Recognition Award for his "ability to communicate with and excite children to read."
Polisar's song "All I Want Is You" is featured, re-recorded and with a guitar/harmonica combo, on the soundtrack for the 2007 Motion Picture "JUNO".
Dad Says That I Look Like Him
Barry Louis Polisar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He tells me that I look like him but Mom says he is wrong.
Aunt Mary says I look just like my older brother, Wayne.
Aunt Jennie says my hair's too long; I look like my sister Jane.
I wish they'd stop comparing me to everybody else.
"You walk like him," "You talk like her." I look just like myself.
My grandma says I've got the eyes of my great-grandpa John.
Dad says that I'm built like him; Mom says Don't be so sure.
Grandpa doesn't say too much. he sits all day and snores.
I wish they'd stop comparing me to everybody else.
"You walk like him," "You talk like her." I look just like myself.
Dad says that I have his eyes. Mom says it isn't true.
They say he must be blind and I know my eyes are blue.
Mom says that I talk to much, but if you ask me.
I look just like the milkman. Daddy says it couldn't be.
I wish they'd stop comparing me to everybody else.
"You walk like him," "You talk like her." I look just like myself
The song "Dad Says That I Look Like Him" by Barry Louis Polisar is a humorous take on the idea of family resemblance. The lyrics describe the various ways in which the singer is compared to different family members, from their nose to their eyes to their mannerisms, and how these comparisons can be both amusing and frustrating.
The first verse sets up the theme of the song by introducing the idea of the singer being compared to their father, mother, aunt, and sister. While their father claims they have the same nose, their mother disputes this, and other family members have their own opinions on who the singer resembles. Despite these conflicting opinions, the singer ultimately asserts their own identity by saying that they look like themselves.
The second verse continues this theme by introducing more family members and their opinions on the singer's appearance. However, the singer also questions these comparisons, such as when their mother says they talk too much but they feel they resemble the milkman. This reinforces the idea that there is no one definitive answer to who the singer looks like, and that they are their own unique person.
Overall, "Dad Says That I Look Like Him" is a lighthearted commentary on the subjective nature of family resemblance and the importance of embracing one's own identity rather than trying to conform to others' expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Dad says that I've got his nose, big and flat and long.
My father believes that I inherited his nose, which is large, broad, and lengthy.
He tells me that I look like him but Mom says he is wrong.
Although Dad thinks that I resemble him, Mom contradicts him by saying that it is not true.
Aunt Mary says I look just like my older brother, Wayne.
Aunt Mary claims that my physical features are similar to those of my older brother named Wayne.
Aunt Jennie says my hair's too long; I look like my sister Jane.
According to Aunt Jennie, my hair is excessively long, and as a result, I look like my sister called Jane.
I wish they'd stop comparing me to everybody else.
I want my relatives to stop making comparisons between me and others in terms of physical appearance.
"You walk like him," "You talk like her." I look just like myself.
Relatives comment on my posture, gait, and the way I talk, but I believe that my appearance is unique to me.
My grandma says I've got the eyes of my great-grandpa John.
My grandmother thinks that my eyes are similar to those of my great-grandparent named John.
Uncle Dave says that I look just like my cousin's mom.
My uncle asserts that I resemble my cousin's mother in physical appearance.
Dad says that I'm built like him; Mom says Don't be so sure.
My father claims that my physique is similar to his, but my mother is hesitant to agree with him.
Grandpa doesn't say too much. he sits all day and snores.
My grandfather often remains silent and spends most of his time sitting and snoring.
Mom says that I talk too much, but if you ask me.
My mother thinks that I talk excessively, but in my opinion, it is not the case.
I look just like the milkman. Daddy says it couldn't be.
I appear to resemble the milkman, which is impossible, according to my father's statement.
Contributed by Adam S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.