The Band Lyrics

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Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did,
They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame,
Since that day he ain't been the same.

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
And he got caught in the spotlight,

But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again.

I've got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me I might catch a death.
Said, "You can make it in your disguise,
Just never show the fear that's in your eyes."

See the man with the stage fright,
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
He got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again.

Now if he says that he's afraid,
Take him at his word.
And for the price that the poor boy has paid,
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh ooh ooh.

Your brow is sweatin' and your mouth gets dry,
Fancy people go driftin' by.
The moment of truth is right at hand,
Just one more nightmare you can stand.

See the man with the stage fright
Just standin' up there to give it all his might.
And he got caught in the spotlight,
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again, hmm hmm,

You wanna try it once again, hmm hmm,
Please don't make him stop, hmm hmm,

Let him take it from the top, hmm hmm,
Let him start all over again.

Overall Meaning

Bob Dylan’s song, Stage Fright, is a commentary on the duality of fame, the pressures that come with it and the masks that the famous wear to hide their vulnerability. The song’s protagonist is described as a once plain and lonely individual, who suddenly gains fortune and fame, and becomes unrecognizable to those who knew him before. Dylan warns that the fear of the spotlight is real and debilitating, and even with copious levels of alcohol to mask it, it can still be present. The singer, however, is driven and determined to overcome his anxiety and continue his performances, but wishes to start over after every gig. Dylan pays homage to the reality of fame, where fans expect their idols to always perform at their best, whereas in reality, the fear and anxiety that comes with stage fright never truly disappears.

The first line paints a picture of a once-quiet kid who is now in the limelight, but the anxiety and pressure that come with such attention is a lot to handle. The second line emphasizes how the singer was transformed by his newfound success. His reality reminds us that not everyone can cope with life in the public eye. The chorus highlights the man’s struggle to overcome his fear of performing in front of a crowd. He seems unable to escape the spotlight and wants to start over again too many times to ignore. The next set of lyrics emphasizes just how much anxiety the singer is experiencing, with "fire water" on his breath, and his fear warned by his doctor. But he still puts on a disguise and doesn’t reveal his fear. Dylan seems to be cautioning against the idea of "fake it till you make it" mentality, as it can lead to a loss of self-identity. The next set of lyrics describes the fear and anxiety that the singer feels when performing, with the "moment of truth" being reminiscent of no longer being able to hide behind a facade. The last chorus returns to the idea that the singer wants to try again and start over after the pressure of the spotlight becomes too much to bear.

Line by Line Meaning

Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid Who suffered so much for what he did, They gave this ploughboy his fortune and fame, Since that day he ain't been the same.
This is the story of a guy who suddenly became famous and his life changed completely. He used to be just a regular guy until people recognized his talent, and everything changed.

See the man with the stage fright Just standin' up there to give it all his might. And he got caught in the spotlight, But when we get to the end He wants to start all over again.
The song is about the anxiety that comes with being a performer, and how sometimes you just want to start over even after a successful show. It's not always easy being in the spotlight.

I've got fire water right on my breath And the doctor warned me I might catch a death. Said, "You can make it in your disguise, Just never show the fear that's in your eyes."
The performer here is describing how he deals with stage fright, by drinking alcohol. His doctor has cautioned him against it, but he feels he needs it to disguise his fear of the audience.

Now if he says that he's afraid, Take him at his word. And for the price that the poor boy has paid, He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh ooh ooh.
When a performer says he's afraid, take him seriously. He may have paid a high price to be where he is, but he's still human and vulnerable. Despite that, he has the talent and ability to perform beautifully.

Your brow is sweatin' and your mouth gets dry, Fancy people go driftin' by. The moment of truth is right at hand, Just one more nightmare you can stand.
This is a description of the anxiety a performer feels before going on stage. Even though the performer is anxious, he knows he can handle it, and is ready to face the moment of truth.

You wanna try it once again, hmm hmm, Please don't make him stop, hmm hmm, Let him take it from the top, hmm hmm, Let him start all over again.
Despite the fear and anxiety of being on stage, the performer wants a chance to do it again, to make it perfect. It's his passion, and even though it's scary, he's willing to keep going.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBBIE ROBERTSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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