The Elephant Man
Bigbang Lyrics


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A church in front of a window
to a world
He don't need to see anymore
cause he's just seen it all
In a picture show
In a theatre long ago
We're watching movies
and now we want more
but one more tragic life
I am not so sure
The elephant man lives on
Elephant men live on

The cats were big as men
and the girls would fly
Back and forth across the stage
throwing glitter
On all those down below
so amused with second hand rage

We're watching movies
and now we want more
But one more tragic life
I am not so sure

The elephant man lives on
Elephant men live on

One is keeping another
hidden somewhere
Keeping him company
Like a picture of dorian gray
That no one's allowed to see

The elephant man lives on
The elephant man lives on




Elephant men live on
Elephant men live on

Overall Meaning

In "The Elephant Man" by Bigbang, the lyrics tell the story of a person who doesn't need to see the world anymore because they have seen everything in a picture show in a theatre long ago. It is about watching movies and wanting more, but wondering if it's worth it considering the tragic life that comes along with it. The imagery of the church in front of a window highlights the isolation and confinement of the Elephant Man's life.


The lines "one is keeping another hidden somewhere, keeping him company" suggest that the Elephant Man is not alone and that there are others like him who are hidden from society. These lines also mirror the story of "The Picture of Dorian Gray," in which the subject in the portrait is hidden away, and only the painting ages and shows the true effects of his hedonistic lifestyle. Similarly, the Elephant Man's physical deformities are hidden from society, and therefore, he is isolated from the rest of the world.


Overall, the song is a commentary on society's fascination with the strange and unusual, and how people are willing to exploit those who are different for their own entertainment. The Elephant Man lives on, but at what cost? It's a poignant reminder that sometimes our curiosities can lead to tragic consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

A church in front of a window
A religious establishment situated in front of a window


to a world
Giving access to the external world


He don't need to see anymore
Being content with what he has already witnessed


cause he's just seen it all
Having experienced a lot already


In a picture show
In a movie theater


In a theatre long ago
In a distant past


We're watching movies
We are enjoying cinema


and now we want more
Our craving for entertainment is increasing


but one more tragic life
However, seeing another sad story


I am not so sure
Makes me hesitant


The elephant man lives on
The legacy of those who are ostracized and mistreated continues to exist


Elephant men live on
People who suffer from such treatment continue to exist in our society


The cats were big as men
The performers were unusual and amazing, like larger-than-life cats.


and the girls would fly
Female performers were exceptional, as they appeared to fly through the air.


Back and forth across the stage
Moving across the stage and returning


throwing glitter
Showering shiny particles on their spectators


On all those down below
On everyone who was present and watching from below the stage


so amused with second hand rage
Feeling entertained by somebody else's anger or hostility


One is keeping another
A person is concealing another human being


hidden somewhere
Hiding in a secret location


Keeping him company
Staying alongside him to provide companionship


Like a picture of Dorian Gray
Like the painting which degraded when Gray committed sins and crimes,


That no one's allowed to see
That is kept hidden from the public's view




Contributed by Mateo H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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