Seven And Seven Is
Billy Bragg Lyrics


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When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man
I'd sit inside a bottle and pretend that I was in a can
In my lonely room I'd sit my mind in an ice cream cone
You can throw me if you wanna 'cause I'm a bone and I go
Oop-ip-ip oop-ip-ip, yeah!
If I don't start cryin' it's because that I have got no eyes
My father's in the fireplace and my dog lies hypnotized
Through a crack of light I was unable to find my way
Trapped inside a night but I'm a day and I go




Oop-ip-ip oop-ip-ip, yeah!
One... Two... Three... Four

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Billy Bragg's song Seven And Seven Is, at first glance, may appear to simply be a collection of nonsensical phrases strung together. However, a closer analysis reveals a deeply introspective and poetic exploration of the human psyche. The first line, "When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man," touches upon the universal experience of childhood dreams and aspirations. The following lines, "I'd sit inside a bottle and pretend that I was in a can / In my lonely room I'd sit my mind in an ice cream cone," poetically convey a sense of isolation and confinement, perhaps alluding to the feeling of being trapped in one's own thoughts and desires. The repeated refrain of "Oop-ip-ip oop-ip-ip, yeah!" serves as an almost primal expression of emotion, contrasting with the complexity of the verses.


The second verse takes on a darker tone, with lines such as "My father's in the fireplace and my dog lies hypnotized," conjuring up unsettling imagery. The sense of being lost is conveyed through the line "Through a crack of light I was unable to find my way." The repeated line of "One...Two...Three...Four" serves as a countdown, perhaps to a sense of impending doom or a final release from these existential struggles. Overall, the lyrics to Seven And Seven Is are a thought-provoking and haunting examination of the human psyche, expressed through vivid and often jarring imagery.


Line by Line Meaning

When I was a boy I thought about the times I'd be a man
As a child, I would imagine what adulthood would be like


I'd sit inside a bottle and pretend that I was in a can
My imagination would allow me to transform everyday objects into fantastical things


In my lonely room I'd sit my mind in an ice cream cone
I would spend time alone, lost in my own thoughts


You can throw me if you wanna 'cause I'm a bone and I go Oop-ip-ip oop-ip-ip, yeah!
I am resilient and can withstand anything that life throws my way


If I don't start cryin' it's because that I have got no eyes
I am emotionally strong and don't let things bring me down


My father's in the fireplace and my dog lies hypnotized
My family life is dysfunctional and chaotic


Through a crack of light I was unable to find my way
I struggle to find my path in life


Trapped inside a night but I'm a day and I go Oop-ip-ip oop-ip-ip, yeah!
Despite my struggles, I have a positive outlook on life and remain hopeful


One... Two... Three... Four
The song moves forward with these counting lines, representing the steady march of time and life's challenges




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Arthur Lee

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

James Brynildsen

Best version I've heard of this song, still. Rubaiyat is an invaluable collection of covers.

Ezoangelofdeath

It truly was something special, if you are open ended enough to appreciate the almost extreme case of diversity possibly ever released on an album, on many of them, the new bands completely upstage the originals, and LONS take Jazz group Pieces Of A Dream's beat, and put out Mt. Airy Groove, a fantastic rap song, i really cant think of a song that wasn't worth listening too, out of the many tracks on the two Cd's, Bragg does this song here a lot of justice and I thought it was one of the more underrated tracks off the album, if you never heard it, you probably ought too, just my suggestion, it's hard to not like it. and by it, I mean Rubyiant, Elektras 40th Anniversary double cd, the cd is probably expensive, but im sure all the tracks are on Youtube.

Neil Parry

NOTHING touches the original!

clive herbert

Not quite there as in the Love version but great vocalisation. A little more homage to original guitar solo in last part needed then this would be an equal (nearly)

Sergio Ramov

I'll fully agree! :)

berberbyheart

Thanks a lot, Sergio!
I recorded this great song on a tape 31 years ago, having no idea of what it was and today, thanks to Shazam and YOU, I finally know who and what it is. Way cool!
Greetings from the French Alps!

Sergio Ramov

You welcome berberyheart. Nice to be of some help... :)

rsands9

I think he improvised some of the lyrics

Sergio Ramov

Don't know that...

Sergio Ramov

2 lovely comments...

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