Take Me to the Pilot
Ben E. King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm here in your prison
Like a coin in your mint
I am dented and I'm spent with high treason
Through a glass eye your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Take me to the pilot
Lead me through the chamber
Take me to the pilot
I am but a stranger
Well I know he's not old
And I'm told he's a virgin
For he may be she
But what I'm told is never for certain
The lyrics in Ben E. King's song Take Me to the Pilot depict themes of uncertainty and vulnerability. In the opening lines, the singer expresses a feeling of being trapped and subject to judgment. "If you feel that it's real I'm on trial/And I'm here in your prison" suggests that the singer is being judged or scrutinized on a fundamental level. The simile "Like a coin in your mint/I am dented and I'm spent with high treason" further emphasizes the singer's feeling of worthlessness and guilt. The use of the word "treason" suggests that there may have been a betrayal or violation of trust.
The chorus of the song contains a plea to the "pilot" to lead the singer through the unknown. The repetition of the line "Take me to the pilot" suggests a desperate need for guidance or direction. The use of the word "chamber" implies that the singer is moving through an enclosed and potentially dangerous space. The lines "I am but a stranger" reflect the singer's sense of isolation and distance from the person or situation they are addressing.
The final verse introduces a new character, described as "he" but possibly "she." The line "For he may be she/But what I'm told is never for certain" reflects the singer's confusion and inability to rely on what they know. This ambiguity reinforces the themes of uncertainty and unpredictability in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
If you feel that it's real I'm on trial
You have the power to decide if my love for you is true or not, and I am willing to submit to your judgment
And I'm here in your prison
I am completely devoted to you and willing to be held captive by your love
Like a coin in your mint
I feel like I am one of many in your possession, just like a coin among many in a mint
I am dented and I'm spent with high treason
My past mistakes and failures have left me damaged, and I feel guilty for being unworthy of your love
Through a glass eye your throne
You rule over me with a cold and distant gaze, as if you are looking at me through a glass eye
Is the one danger zone
Being at the mercy of your love is a dangerous place for me to be, as it makes me vulnerable and exposed
Take me to the pilot for control
I want you to take me under your wing and guide me, so that I may regain control of my life
Take me to the pilot of your soul
I want to know and understand you on a deeper level, to be able to connect with your true self
Take me to the pilot
I am asking you to take me into your confidence, into your closest circle
Lead me through the chamber
I want to explore your innermost thoughts and feelings, your secret hiding places
I am but a stranger
I feel like an outsider, someone who does not belong in your world
Well I know he's not old
I am aware that the person you love is not someone from your past
And I'm told he's a virgin
I am given to understand that the person you love is not very experienced in relationships
For he may be she
I am not entirely sure about the gender of the person you are interested in
But what I'm told is never for certain
I cannot be sure if the rumors about the person you love are true or not
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bernie Taupin, Elton John
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind