Pinball
Brian Protheroe Lyrics


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And I've run out of pale ale
And I feel like I'm in jail
And my music bores me once again
And I've been on the pinball
And I know longer know it all
And they say that you never know when you're insane

Got fleas in my bedroom
Got flies in my bathroom
And the cat just finished off the bread
So I walk over Soho
And I read about Monroe
And I wonder was she really what they said

Got a call from a good friend
Come on down for the weekend
Didn't know if I could spare the time
I knew a woman who was crazy
About a boy who was lazy
But it didn't work out 'cos they just couldn't make it rhyme

Hey Jude you were alright
I could have grooved with you all night
But you turned your back on the part again
Mama if i keep my head clean
Will I really have a good dream
Or will I wake up in confusion just the same

And I've run out of pale ale
And I feel like I'm in jail
Got fleas in the bedroom
Got flies in the bathroom
Got a call from a good friend
Come on down for the weekend
Hey Jude you were alright
I could have grooved with you all night





And I've been on the pale ale
And I feel like a pinball

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Brian Protheroe's song "Pinball" describe a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction with life. The singer is bored with their music and feels trapped like they are in jail, exemplified by their running out of pale ale. The pinball machine they've been playing on no longer holds the same thrill it once did, and they question their sanity. The singer further describes their living conditions with fleas and flies in their home, and their cat eating their bread. They escape to the streets of Soho where they read about Marilyn Monroe and wonder if the media's portrayal of her was accurate. The singer receives a call from a friend inviting them to spend the weekend, but they are unsure if they have the time. Additionally, the singer reflects on past failed relationships where the couple couldn't "make it rhyme." They mention a desire for a good dream, but question if it is possible to achieve.


Overall, the lyrics can be interpreted as a critique of modern life, where the mundane and trivial can easily overshadow bigger questions about one's purpose and happiness. The pinball machine symbolizes the monotony of life and the feeling that it is all just a game one must play.


Line by Line Meaning

And I've run out of pale ale
I have drunk all the pale ale and now I have nothing to drink


And I feel like I'm in jail
I feel trapped and bored, like being in prison


And my music bores me once again
I am tired of my own music and find it uninteresting


And I've been on the pinball
I have been playing pinball


And I know longer know it all
I am no longer confident in my knowledge or abilities


And they say that you never know when you're insane
Some people say that you might be crazy without realizing it


Got fleas in my bedroom
My bedroom is infested with fleas


Got flies in my bathroom
My bathroom is full of flies


And the cat just finished off the bread
My cat ate all the bread


So I walk over Soho
I walk through the streets of Soho


And I read about Monroe
I read about Marilyn Monroe


And I wonder was she really what they said
I wonder if the things people say about her are true


Got a call from a good friend
My friend called me


Come on down for the weekend
My friend invited me to visit for the weekend


Didn't know if I could spare the time
I wasn't sure if I had enough time to go


I knew a woman who was crazy
I knew a woman who was mentally unstable


About a boy who was lazy
She was interested in a boy who was lazy


But it didn't work out 'cos they just couldn't make it rhyme
Their relationship failed because they couldn't understand each other


Hey Jude you were alright
Hey Jude, I liked you


I could have grooved with you all night
I could have danced with you all night


But you turned your back on the part again
But you became distant and left the party


Mama if i keep my head clean
If I stay out of trouble and be good


Will I really have a good dream
Will my life be better and happier


Or will I wake up in confusion just the same
Or will I still be lost and uncertain about my life


And I've been on the pale ale
I have drunk a lot of pale ale


And I feel like a pinball
I feel like I am bouncing around without direction or control




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Protheroe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mark1966

LYRICS;
And I've run out of pale ale
And I feel like I'm in jail
And my music bores me once again
And I've been on the pinball
And I know longer know it all
And they say that you never know when you're insane
Got fleas in my bedroom
Got flies in my bathroom
And the cat just finished off the bread
So I walk over Soho
And I read about Monroe
And I wonder was she really what they said
Got a call from a good friend
Come on down for the weekend
Didn't know if I could spare the time
I knew a woman who was crazy
About a boy who was lazy
But it didn't work out 'cos they just couldn't make it rhyme
Hey Jude you were alright
I could have grooved with you all night
But you turned your back on the part again
Mama if i keep my head clean
Will I really have a good dream
Or…



All comments from YouTube:

@shyman99

Absolutely everything is perfect about this recording. Essentially means it will be heard many years from now and will still impress.

@hopebgood

This sounds really good! And you know how I found it? One of my all time fave tv shows is the BBC's Spooks and I've been re-watching the entire 10 year run and Brian Protheroe plays a CIA boss in it for a while and reading up about his involvement in the plotline I discovered that he'd had a hit single. I was like "oh....that's interesting - I'll have to search/listen to that" so here I am. I like it.

@anthonymorton4050

A true st Louis kshe 95 classic 😊

@stephenlacey5784

Oh my goodness. I've been coming back to this song for 46 years and it gets me every time. I hope Brian Protheroe might see this and know that he has filled my heart with wonder and the wisdom that I have known a singular joy.

@richtofen4888

I found this song two years ago. And I’m gonna keep playing it for decades as well, that’s for sure :)

@peytoncabral7149

One of the best forgotten songs of the 70’s. Honestly surprised this didn’t get bigger in the US.

@elliotthedissident6077

Totally not forgotten by me. One of my very favs and I'm gonna learn it, darn it ::)

@MrBlueSky474

The only fault with this song is that it finishes too early! Absolute class, so atmospheric.

@niceone7199

My thoughts exactly. I want this to go on and on.

@stephenbannister9869

Hard to believe this song is 46 years old - still sounds as good today as it did then .....

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