Limelight
Birth Control Lyrics


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Standing in the limelight up in front of you
I can't see a single face
But I know what I've gotta do
It's the same all over the place

Another crowd to sing to everynight
In every place we play
I can't see them but they see me alright
How will they be today, oh yeah

The audience is like an animal
With a mind of it's own
Will it be gentle or rough with me
Will it cheer or will it groan

Another crowd to sing to everynight
In every place we play
I can't see them but they see me alright
How will they be today

I'll tame you, I'll tame you now
A hall of baited breath
You'll like it, what I do
Although I'm scared to death, oh yeah

I'll tame you, I'll tame you now
A hall of baited breath
You'll like it, what I do
Although I'm scared to death

I'll tame you, I'll tame you now
A hall of baited breath
You'll like it, what I do
Although I'm scared to death

I'll tame you, I'll tame you now
A hall of baited breath




You'll like it, what I do
Although I'm scared to death

Overall Meaning

The Birth Control song "Limelight" is a poignant reflection on the experience of being a performer, specifically a musician on tour. The lyrics convey the feeling of being isolated and alone while standing in front of a crowd of people, with the singer stating that they can't see a single face. Despite this, the performer knows what they have to do, and recognizes that the situation is the same "all over the place." The lyrics suggest that this is a routine experience for musicians on tour, with every night bringing a new crowd to perform to.


The chorus of the song is particularly powerful in its depiction of the audience as a kind of unpredictable and potentially dangerous creature. The singer describes the audience as having a mind of its own, and wonders whether they will be "gentle or rough." This phenomenon is common among musicians, as they must learn to adjust to each new crowd they perform for, often with little information about the audience's expectations or preferences.


The line "I'll tame you, I'll tame you now" is a bold statement of the performer's intention to overcome the unpredictability of the audience and win them over with their music. The repeated phrase "Although I'm scared to death" underscores the vulnerability of the performer in this situation, as it is clear that they feel anxious and nervous about the prospect of performing for a new crowd every night. Overall, "Limelight" is a powerful and relatable expression of the experience of being a musician on tour.


Line by Line Meaning

Standing in the limelight up in front of you
I am on stage, in front of the audience, in the spotlight.


I can't see a single face
The bright lights are blinding me, leaving me unable to see any of the audience members.


But I know what I've gotta do
Despite not being able to see the audience, I know I have to perform to the best of my abilities.


It's the same all over the place
This experience of performing without seeing the audience is the same in every city and every venue.


Another crowd to sing to everynight
I perform in front of a new audience every night.


In every place we play
Every venue we perform in has a unique audience and atmosphere.


I can't see them but they see me alright
While I cannot distinguish individual faces, the audience can see me clearly from their vantage point.


How will they be today, oh yeah
I wonder what kind of mood the audience will be in tonight.


The audience is like an animal
The audience can act unpredictably, much like an animal in the wild.


With a mind of it's own
Despite my best efforts, I cannot fully control the audience's reactions.


Will it be gentle or rough with me
I am unsure if the audience will be kind and supportive or hostile and critical.


Will it cheer or will it groan
I do not know if the audience will react positively or negatively to my performance.


I'll tame you, I'll tame you now
I will do my best to win over the audience and earn their approval.


A hall of baited breath
The audience is eagerly waiting for my performance to begin.


You'll like it, what I do
I am confident that the audience will enjoy my performance.


Although I'm scared to death, oh yeah
Despite my confidence, I am still nervous and afraid of how the audience will react.




Contributed by Muhammad D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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