Silver Buttons
Charlie Mars Lyrics


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Silver buttons
Young brothers
In the wrinkles fade your dreams
And through the walls I hear a scream

I am weak and you are strong
I said the words did I say them wrong
Little ones should always belong

I got no blue ribbons
I played no lead roles
No kisses from the homecoming queen
No game winning runs
Or taste of the gold
But I have got

A dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways
To tell you

Bright lights
Big city
And all these big city things
Welcome to the real temptation

And it's a quarter til and time for school
And another day baby to play it cool
The corner for a big mouth like me

I got no blue ribbons
I played no lead roles
No kisses from the homecoming queen
No game winning runs
Or taste of the gold
But I have got

A dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways
To tell you

At all the right times
I said all the wrong things
Lately when the words come out wrong
You know what I mean
And all I've got to give you is this





Dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways to tell you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Charlie Mars's Silver Buttons are filled with contemplations of life and its ups and downs. The song starts with a reflection on how youthful dreams can sometimes be crushed with the passage of time. The singer refers to the "young brothers" and how their dreams are fading as they get older, which is represented by the wrinkles that come with aging. In the following lines, he expresses his vulnerability, acknowledging that he is weak while his listeners are strong. He wonders if he said the right words and emphasizes that young children should always have a sense of belonging.


The second verse of the song is all about the singer's humble beginnings. He makes it clear that he has not had much success in life, as he has never received any awards or recognition, unlike many others who have won blue ribbons, played lead roles, or even had a kiss from the homecoming queen. Despite all this, however, he has held on to his dreams, and he has a couple of dreams that he's been holding onto - dreams that he wants to share with his listeners.


The chorus emphasises the significance of these dreams to the singer, and he's been thinking about ways to communicate them effectively. He admits that he has made mistakes in the past, but he also acknowledges that he is determined to tell his audience about his dreams. The final line of the song expresses his eagerness to share the dreams with his listeners.


Line by Line Meaning

Silver buttons
Possibly referring to military decorations or uniform buttons and representing a time when the singer's dreams were less wrinkled and he was younger.


Young brothers
Perhaps referring to siblings or friends with whom the singer grew up, who are now facing similar challenges in their dreams.


In the wrinkles fade your dreams
The challenges and hardships of life can wear down a person's once-vibrant dreams and aspirations over time and make them fade like wrinkles on skin.


And through the walls I hear a scream
The singer can sense the struggles and pain of someone on the other side of a dividing wall, perhaps representing the division between social classes or races.


I am weak and you are strong
The singer is acknowledging his own vulnerability and dependence on others, possibly speaking to a person he admires or seeks help from.


I said the words did I say them wrong
The singer is unsure if his words were received correctly or if he expressed himself the way he intended to.


Little ones should always belong
Children deserve to feel a sense of belonging and safety, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.


I got no blue ribbons
The singer did not receive any special recognition or accolades, perhaps in contrast to others around him who did.


I played no lead roles
The singer did not have any prominent or starring parts in a play or movie, possibly indicating a sense of being overshadowed or overlooked.


No kisses from the homecoming queen
The singer did not receive any romantic attention or admiration from a popular girl, even on a ceremonial occasion such as homecoming.


No game winning runs
The singer did not have any triumphant moments in sports or athletic competitions, perhaps symbolizing a lack of success or validation in life.


Or taste of the gold
The singer did not achieve any significant financial or material success, which may be an exclusive privilege for the wealthy and powerful.


But I have got A dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways To tell you
Despite his lack of external accomplishments, the singer still has hope and imagination, and perhaps seeks to inspire others with his vision and creativity.


Bright lights Big city And all these big city things Welcome to the real temptation
The city and its attractions can be alluring and seductive, but also bring challenges and risks that can test a person's character and values.


And it's a quarter til and time for school And another day baby to play it cool The corner for a big mouth like me
The singer might be reminiscing about his school days, where he had to hide his true feelings and personality to fit in, possibly due to societal pressures and prejudices.


At all the right times I said all the wrong things Lately when the words come out wrong You know what I mean
The singer acknowledges that he has made mistakes and struggled to communicate effectively, but hopes that his intentions and emotions still come through to those who matter to him.


And all I've got to give you is this Dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways to tell you
The singer offers his dreams and creative expression as a gift to someone he cares about, hoping that they will recognize his sincerity and passion.




Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CHARLES MARS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Cahl

Silver buttons
Young brothers
In the wrinkles fade your dreams
And through the walls I hear a scream

I am weak and you are strong
I said the words did I say them wrong
Little ones should always belong

I got no blue ribbons
I played no lead roles
No kisses from the homecoming queen
No game winning runs
Or taste of the gold
But I have got

A dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways
To tell you

Bright lights
Big city
And all these big city things
Welcome to the real temptation

And it's a quarter til and time for school
And another day baby to play it cool
The corner for a big mouth like me

I got no blue ribbons
I played no lead roles
No kisses from the homecoming queen
No game winning runs
Or taste of the gold
But I have got

A dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways
To tell you

At all the right times
I said all the wrong things
Lately when the words come out wrong
You know what I mean
And all I've got to give you is this

Dream or two and I've been dreaming of ways to tell you

The Flinch

great song. bro. keep it going

Nelson MS Varte

🖤🔥

Sue B

This is a beautiful song-but this version is not as good as the original from the album (simply titled) Charlie Mars -(circa 2004)

Myles Smith

The original version is from the 1997 album "Born and Razed"

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