Burton Cummings; singer, pianist, songwriter was born in the Canadian city … Read Full Bio ↴Burton Cummings; singer, pianist, songwriter was born in the Canadian city of Winnipeg on December 31st, 1947. He played with a band called the Deverons before joining The Guess Who as lead vocalist in 1965. After spending ten years with that band, he decided to pursue a solo career. His first self-titled album was released in 1976. The single, "Stand Tall," sold over a million copies. He has written and co-written many of The Guess Who's tracks, as well as his own singles. After breaking up with The Guess Who and going it alone, Cummings ultimately made the move to Sherman Oaks, California and began writing and singing for films in the late 1970's. He currently winters in California and returns to Winnipeg in the summer, living in Canada throughout autumn. He also co-starred in the movie "Melanie."

Ponderlust
Burton Cummings Lyrics

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I knew someday the music might get evil
I knew someday I'd be a helpless pawn
I knew sometime that I'd be judged with sinners
Can't go on

I know how hard it is to kill a memory
I know how hard it is to stay alone
I don't expect a lot of folks to like me

Don't matter now, they don't matter now

I know how hard it is to share your spirit
I know how hard it is to try and try
I know how cruel it is when things get shaky
And you cry, and you cry

Hard up, hard up for amusement
When you turned, you turned to the darker side,
You were never meant to understand the things that drive you
And those questions and those questions
They can tear you down

I know how envy does the strangest dances
I know how easy comes this thing called pity
I know how you can run
City to city
Lookin' for pity

Bridesmaids
The only solution
Isn't it amazing?

In a car, on a freeway
There's a priest who's cryin', a priest who's dyin'
In a graveyard beneath a full moon
I see a black cat lyin' with its throat cut

I know how age can wear the mask of wisdom
I know how easy it is to stumble too
So many questions that you can't get nappin'
It's true

I know how shitty it is when friends will use you
I know how hard it is to grow up tall
I know how losers can just turn your words round
Till you fall

I knew someday the music might get evil
I knew someday I'd be a helpless pawn
I knew sometime that I'd be judged with sinners
Can't go on

I know how hard it is when friends desert you
I know that love becomes this thing called "pity"
I know how you can run you can run
City to city, lookin' for pity

I know how age can wear the mask of wisdom
I know how easy it is to stumble, too
Too many questions and you'll never get nappin'
It's true, it's true
Yeah, it's true
You know it's true

What are we inside?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Burton Cummings's Ponderlust are a reflection on the struggles of life, particularly the difficulty of maintaining integrity and dignity in the face of temptation, betrayal and disillusionment. The singer knows that there will be times when the music will lead him astray, and that he will be judged harshly for it. He understands how hard it is to forget the past and to live in solitude, but he also knows that there are some things that are worth standing for, even if they are unpopular. He is aware that envy and self-pity can be powerful forces that can lead you to dark places, but he also recognizes the strength of the human spirit, and the desire to keep going, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be.

The song paints a vivid portrait of a person struggling to make sense of life, and to find their way in an unpredictable and often cruel world. The lyrics are laced with a sense of vulnerability and honesty, and they offer a glimpse into the complexities of the human experience. Ultimately, the singer must face the harsh reality that he cannot run from the challenges of life, and that he must stand tall in the face of adversity, no matter how difficult it may be.

Line by Line Meaning

I knew someday the music might get evil
Aware of the corrupting and destructive nature of the music industry

I knew someday I'd be a helpless pawn
Foreseeing the inevitability of being exploited and controlled by others

I knew sometime that I'd be judged with sinners
Anticipating the scrutiny and criticism of others, being compared to those considered immoral or wrongdoers

Can't go on
Feeling overwhelmed and powerless to continue on this path

I know how hard it is to kill a memory
Understands the difficulty of forgetting or moving past painful experiences

I know how hard it is to stay alone
Recognizes the challenge of being on one's own and the struggle to maintain emotional strength and independence

I don't expect a lot of folks to like me
Realizes that not everyone will approve of them and it's not a priority

Don't matter now, they don't matter now
Acknowledges that other people's opinions or validations are irrelevant to their inner being

I know how hard it is to share your spirit
Understands the difficulty in opening up and revealing one's true nature to others

I know how hard it is to try and try
Feels the challenge of striving to succeed despite hardships and obstacles

I know how cruel it is when things get shaky
Recognizes the harshness of life when things become unstable and uncertain

And you cry, and you cry
Expresses the sadness and despair that comes with difficult situations

Hard up, hard up for amusement
Desperately seeking stimulation and entertainment to distract from pain or boredom

When you turned, you turned to the darker side
Describing succumbing to vices or negative influences

You were never meant to understand the things that drive you
Acknowledging confusion about one's motivations and desires

And those questions and those questions
Referring to the endless cycle of doubts and uncertainties that plague the mind

They can tear you down
Describing the detrimental effects of self-doubt and questioning

I know how envy does the strangest dances
Understanding the irrational nature of jealousy and its effects on actions and emotions

I know how easy comes this thing called pity
Realizing how pity can be used as a crutch or excuse rather than facing hardships head-on

I know how you can run city to city
Understands the urge to constantly move or change settings in search of relief or distraction

Lookin' for pity
Describing the behavior of seeking attention or sympathy from others

Bridesmaids
Unclear meaning, may refer to traditional wedding roles or other symbolic representation

The only solution
Indicating that there may be only one option or resolution

Isn't it amazing?
Expressing disbelief or ironic surprise in the face of a difficult situation

In a car, on a freeway
Setting the scene for a specific moment or memory

There's a priest who's cryin', a priest who's dyin'
Describing a scene of emotional or physical pain, playing with religious imagery

In a graveyard beneath a full moon
Further setting the scene and creating a gothic or supernatural atmosphere

I see a black cat lyin' with its throat cut
Painting a disturbing and violent image, suggesting danger and powerlessness

I know how age can wear the mask of wisdom
Expressing skepticism of the appearance of maturity or knowledge that comes with age

So many questions that you can't get nappin'
Referring to the unending and elusive search for answers that can keep someone up at night

I know how shitty it is when friends will use you
Expressing the feeling of betrayal or mistreatment by those who were trusted

I know how hard it is to grow up tall
Acknowledging the difficulties in maturing and developing resilience in the face of challenges

I know how losers can just turn your words round
Referring to the manipulative tactics some people use to twist or spin words and actions to their own advantage

Till you fall
Describing the dire consequences that can come from being drawn into such situations

I know that love becomes this thing called "pity"
Recognizing the way that love can turn into a distorted or false sense of compassion rather than genuine caring or empathy

I know how you can run, you can run
Reiterating the idea of desperate escapism and fleeing to other places

What are we inside?
Leaving the listener with a philosophical question about the nature of humanity and self-knowledge

Contributed by Sydney W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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