Pop-Punk Is Sooooo '05
Cobra Starship Lyrics
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They would surely bow
In the honor of your presence dear
You've come
The cameras blind your eye
Here's the big surprise,
Flash never lasts
'Cause who you are, what you say
You're just a boy who's afraid of the dark
What you've got means shit to me
I'm not impressed by the dress
And the sex that you bought
Bright city lights
And big, big city nights
Here the hand that feeds you bites you dear
Fear not
Bless your troubled soul
But there's hope for all
For a bag of cash you can always
Turn your profits in
'Cause who you are, what you say
You're just a boy who's afraid of the dark
What you've got means shit to me
I'm not impressed by the dress that you bought
Who you are, what you say
You're just a boy who's afraid of the dark
What you've got means shit to me
I'm not impressed by the dress
And the sex that you bought
There's always room for something
When nothing's next to you
Hotshot, grab on to something
They're coming after you
Who you are, what you say
You're just a boy who's afraid of the dark
What you've got means shit to me
'Cause who you are, what you say
You're just a boy who's afraid of the dark
What you've got means shit to me
I'm not impressed by the dress
The sex
'Cause you are
Whoa oh oh oh oh [Repeat: x4]
In the song "Pop-Punk Is Sooooo '05" by Cobra Starship, the lyrics reflect a cynicism towards the music industry and the materialistic nature of fame. The first stanza introduces the idea that if the cameras could see the subject's true character, they would be impressed, but at the moment, they are blinded by the media. The emphasis on paying your way back into the spotlight hints that the subject's success is dependent on factors beyond their talent. The chorus repeats the idea that the person's status means nothing to the singer, and they are unimpressed by the material goods that their success has brought them.
In the second verse, the lyrics describe the allure of city life and specifically the city night scene. Despite the initial excitement, there is a warning that the people who help you can easily turn on you. The last stanza seems to suggest that there is always a way back to fame; it only takes money to turn a profit. In the chorus, the message is repeated straightforwardly: who you are and what you have are insignificant to the singer.
The song can be interpreted as a criticism of the music industry's focus on image and superficial factors, rather than talent and genuine artistic expression. It also seems to question the validity of fame and the worth of material possessions. Overall, the song's message is that true success and respect come from authenticity rather than superficial gain.
Line by Line Meaning
If they could see you now
They would surely bow
In the honor of your presence dear
You've come
You've gained some success and people would admire you now, but deep down you are the same person. You haven't changed for the better, so don't think too highly of yourself.
The cameras blind your eye
Here's the big surprise,
Flash never lasts
You've gotta pay your way back in
You have to work hard to maintain your fame and success, but it's temporary. The moment you become irrelevant, the same people who celebrated you would forget you ever existed.
'Cause who you are, what you say
You're just a boy who's afraid of the dark
What you've got means shit to me
I'm not impressed by the dress
And the sex that you bought
Your fame and wealth do not impress me. It's just a shallow attempt to mask your insecurities and it shows you're nothing but a scared and insecure boy hiding behind his image and material possessions to look cool.
Bright city lights
And big, big city nights
Here the hand that feeds you bites you dear
Fear not
Living in the city can be tough, and the people who you think are your friends might not be the ones who actually care about you. Don't get too comfortable because the same people who helped you get to the top might be the ones who bring you down.
Bless your troubled soul
But there's hope for all
For a bag of cash you can always
Turn your profits in
Money can solve a lot of problems, so if you're troubled, don't worry, there's always a way to turn your current situation around if you have money to invest in your success and future. Money talks, so use it to your advantage.
There's always room for something
When nothing's next to you
Hotshot, grab on to something
They're coming after you
When you have nothing to hold on to, any opportunity or success that comes your way seems like the best thing to cling to. Just be aware that as soon as you start getting ahead or have something that others want, they will try to knock you down or steal your thunder.
'Cause you are
Whoa oh oh oh oh [Repeat: x4]
The song ends with the chorus emphasizing that no matter what you do or what you have, it doesn't change the fact that you're still the same person inside. Your success might be temporary, but your true character and personality are what define you in the long run.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: SAM HOLLANDER, DAVID KATZ, GABE SAPORTA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind