Poor Boy
Byrne David & Brian Eno Lyrics
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Friends face the future, they're wearing summer clothes
Great cosmic forces, like falling dominoes
I love talking funny, it's the only song I know
Sweet smart and sexy, the day my life began
Burnt out and damaged, I dragged my body home
This slice is runny, it's dripping down my clothes
Flies stick to honey, it's the only game they know
Poor Boy, I walk into the river in my hat and shoes
Poor Boy, I'm sitting at the table with a knife and spoon
Life fast die happy, don't let your panties show
They trust market forces, it's the only song they know
So come and rock my soul, where sin and sorry lie
White horses carry me, unto the other side
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where my thoughts are cold
Poor boy, I'm waiting for the harvest of the seeds I sow
A flower in the night, with thoughts of days gone by
I've got to ring that bell, and I'll be satisfied
Poor boy, I'm wearing silver slippers and a long white gown
Poor boy, I picture in my mind the day the walls come down
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where I'm never free
Poor boy, I'm writing down the names of all the things I see
The song Poor Boy by Byrne David and Eno Brian appears to be an introspective meditation on life's struggles and the pursuit of happiness. The song's imagery creates a stark contrast between the trendy and fashionable summer clothes worn by people and the ragged clothing of the poor boy who walked into the river with his hat and shoes. The imagery of working-class people and the world of business is juxtaposed with the cosmic forces that drive life, like falling dominoes. The lyrical content is not necessarily clear, however, and it takes some interpretation to decipher the meaning of what is going on in the song.
There appears to be a sense of hopelessness and frustration in the lyrics. Byrne sings about the need to let go and live life fast, though this idea is contrasted with advice not to let one's panties show. There is a pervasive feeling of despair throughout the song, but it's not clear whether this is inherent in life or a product of personal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
A truck parked this morning, outside the grocery store
I noticed a truck parked outside the grocery store earlier today.
Friends face the future, they're wearing summer clothes
My friends are confidently embracing the future while enjoying the summer weather.
Great cosmic forces, like falling dominoes
The universe operates in such a way that small events can trigger a chain reaction of larger events.
I love talking funny, it's the only song I know
I enjoy making humorous remarks and feel like it's the only way I can fully express myself.
Sweet smart and sexy, the day my life began
I felt attractive, intelligent, and alluring on the day my life really started.
Burnt out and damaged, I dragged my body home
I was exhausted and had been through a lot when I finally made it home.
This slice is runny, it's dripping down my clothes
The slice of food I'm eating is dripping onto my clothes because it's not firm enough.
Flies stick to honey, it's the only game they know
Flies are attracted to sweet things like honey and that's just how they act – it's not malicious.
Poor Boy, I walk into the river in my hat and shoes
I, a poor boy, enter the river fully clothed in a hat and shoes.
Poor Boy, I'm sitting at the table with a knife and spoon
I, a poor boy, sit at the table equipped with a knife and spoon.
Life fast die happy, don't let your panties show
Live your life to the fullest and don't worry about exposing your vulnerabilities.
They trust market forces, it's the only song they know
Some people put all their faith in the market economy and don't consider other options.
So come and rock my soul, where sin and sorry lie
Please comfort me and heal my soul from the effects of sin and sorrow.
White horses carry me, unto the other side
I envision pure white horses carrying me to the afterlife or another spiritual realm.
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where my thoughts are cold
I, a poor boy, reside in a place where my ideas and emotions feel repressed.
Poor boy, I'm waiting for the harvest of the seeds I sow
I, a poor boy, patiently await the fruition of my hard work and investments.
A flower in the night, with thoughts of days gone by
I am like a fragile flower blooming at night, but still reflecting on previous experiences.
I've got to ring that bell, and I'll be satisfied
I must achieve a certain goal or milestone and then I will feel truly content.
Poor boy, I'm wearing silver slippers and a long white gown
I, a poor boy, am dressed in symbols of wealth and purity.
Poor boy, I picture in my mind the day the walls come down
I dream of the day when social, cultural, or personal barriers will no longer exist.
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where I'm never free
I, a poor boy, reside in a place where my freedoms are limited or nonexistent.
Poor boy, I'm writing down the names of all the things I see
I, a poor boy, am diligently making note of everything I observe for posterity or personal reflection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind