Intro
Cheryl Lyrics


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What makes you itch? What sort of a situation would you like?

Let's suppose, I do this often in vocational guidance of students,
They come to me and say, well,
"We're getting out of college and we have the faintest idea what we want to do".
So I always ask the question,
"What would you like to do if money were no object?
How would you really enjoy spending your life?"

Well, it's so amazing as a result of our kind of educational system,
Crowds of students say well, we'd like to be painters, we'd like to be poets,
We'd like to be writers, but as everybody knows you can't earn any money that way.
Or another person says well, I'd like to live an out-of-doors life and ride horses.
I said you want to teach in a riding school? Let's go through with it.
What do you want to do?

When we finally got down to something, which the individual says he really wants to do,
I will say to him, you do that and forget the money,
Because, if you say that getting the money is the most important thing,
You will spend your life completely wasting your time.
You'll be doing things you don't like doing in order to go on living,
That is to go on doing things you don't like doing, which is stupid





And so, therefore, it's so important to consider this question: What do I desire?

Overall Meaning

Cheryl's song Intro begins with a quote from Alan Watts, a philosopher who lectures about the importance of determining a sense of purpose in one's life. The lyrics ask, "What makes you itch? What sort of situation would you like?" These questions are meant to inspire listeners to consider their own desires and aspirations, free from the limitations of societal expectations and financial pressures.


Watts is known for his critiques of the traditional education system and the ways in which it can limit students' creativity and sense of purpose. The lyrics reference this critique by noting that many students want to be painters or poets, but believe that these careers are not financially viable. Watts argues that living a fulfilling life means pursuing one's passions, regardless of financial gain.


The song's message is ultimately about individual fulfillment and the importance of finding one's own path. Rather than striving solely for financial success or societal expectations, the lyrics encourage listeners to consider their own desires and passions, and to pursue them without fear of judgement or failure.


Line by Line Meaning

What makes you itch? What sort of a situation would you like?
What are your ultimate desires and passion? If you could choose any situation for yourself, what would it be?


Let's suppose, I do this often in vocational guidance of students,
As someone who guides students towards a career path, I often ask them to dream beyond the practical limitations of society.


They come to me and say, well, "We're getting out of college and we have the faintest idea what we want to do".
Many students express uncertainty about their post-college career prospects.


So I always ask the question, "What would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life?"
To help students discover their true aspirations, I ask them to envision their ideal lives without the influence of financial considerations.


Well, it's so amazing as a result of our kind of educational system, Crowds of students say well, we'd like to be painters, we'd like to be poets, We'd like to be writers, but as everybody knows you can't earn any money that way.
Sadly, many students feel discouraged from pursuing creative careers because of societal norms and the notion that these careers are not financially stable.


Or another person says well, I'd like to live an out-of-doors life and ride horses. I said you want to teach in a riding school? Let's go through with it. What do you want to do?
Others may express more unconventional desires, such as living a rustic lifestyle or working with animals, which I encourage them to thoroughly explore.


When we finally got down to something, which the individual says he really wants to do, I will say to him, you do that and forget the money, Because, if you say that getting the money is the most important thing, You will spend your life completely wasting your time. You'll be doing things you don't like doing in order to go on living, That is to go on doing things you don't like doing, which is stupid
Once someone discovers their true passion, I advise them to pursue it wholeheartedly, regardless of the financial rewards, because chasing money exclusively will inevitably lead to a dissatisfactory, frustrating life.


And so, therefore, it's so important to consider this question: What do I desire?
Ultimately, the most important question to ask oneself is, 'What do I truly desire in life?'




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George Henry Tizzard, Richard James Parkhouse

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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