Hart became an instant hit with his rebellious looks, and his first album released in 1983 First Offense, featuring the hit song Sunglasses at Night. The album sold well in both Canada and the United States. The follow-up album was Boy in the Box in 1985, another very successful album featuring the song Never Surrender, which would be his highest-charting single. Hart would continue to record music, but his commercial success was significantly reduced after Box.
Today, Hart lives in the Bahamas with his wife, musician Julie Masse, and their four children.
Boy In The Box
Corey Hart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can see the world from inside
Without a doubt
I can shake my head and scream and shout
(Because) I can't take it no more
I can't stand it no more
Who's laughin' at me?
Through the night
Was the giant sleeping?
The endless flight
Oh, the mystery's for keeping
(Because) I can't take it no more
I can't stand it no more
Who's staring at me
I gotta say
Pull up your socks
You're the boy in the box
What did the rebel say?
When the wolf cried fox
To the boy in the box
Will you come out to play?
Said, one, two
You can't get enough
Three, four
Open up the door
Six, five
Alive is the boy in the box
(I gotta say)
Pull up your socks
You're the boy in the box (boy in the box)
What did the rebel say?
When the wolf cried fox
To the boy in the box (boy in the box)
Will you come out to play?
And no one talks
To the boy in the box (boy in the box)
(Boy in the box)
No one talks
When the world cried fox
To the boy in the box
No one talks
No one talks
You know, one, two
You can't get enough
Three, four
Open up the door
Six, five
Alive is the boy in the
One, two
You can't get enough
Three, four
Open up the door
Six, five
Alive is the boy in the box
Like a boy in the box
Come and see me from outside
Come and kill me from outside
Pull up your socks for the boy in the box
Like a boy in a box
Like a boy in the box
Box
The lyrics to Corey Hart's "Boy In The Box" appear to tell the story of a person who feels trapped and isolated from the rest of the world. The opening lines, "When I go out, I can see the world from inside," suggest a feeling of confinement, perhaps even claustrophobia. This is reinforced by the repetition of the phrases "I can't take it no more, I can't stand it no more" throughout the song.
The lyrics also contain references to a "giant" who may be sleeping and to a "mystery" that is being kept. These references add to the sense of mystery and uncertainty that permeates the song.
The chorus of the song is a call to action, with the singer urging the "boy in the box" to "pull up [their] socks" and come out to play. This can be interpreted as a call to break free from the confines of the self-imposed isolation and to engage with the world.
Overall, the lyrics to "Boy In The Box" paint a portrait of someone who feels trapped and alone but who is also struggling to break free and connect with the world. The lyrics may resonate with anyone who has felt isolated or cut off from others.
Line by Line Meaning
When I go out
Whenever I step outside
I can see the world from inside
I view the world from a safe and sheltered position
Without a doubt
Certainly and unequivocally
I can shake my head and scream and shout
I can express my frustration and anger
(Because) I can't take it no more
I can't handle it anymore
I can't stand it no more
I can't tolerate it anymore
Who's laughin' at me?
Who is mocking me?
Through the night
During the darkness
Was the giant sleeping?
Was the imposing entity unaware of my troubles?
The endless flight
The unstoppable journey
Oh, the mystery's for keeping
The secret will remain hidden
Who's staring at me
Who is observing me?
I gotta say
I have to express
Pull up your socks
Get ready and brace yourself
You're the boy in the box
You are vulnerable and trapped
What did the rebel say?
What wise advice did the nonconformist offer?
When the wolf cried fox
When the deceitful predator tried to lure you
To the boy in the box
To the helpless and restricted individual
Will you come out to play?
Will you venture forth and face the challenges?
Said, one, two
Indicated the starting point of a chant
You can't get enough
You will always be insatiable
Three, four
Continued the chant
Open up the door
Take a bold step forward
Six, five
Completed the chant
Alive is the boy in the box
Survival is possible even in confinement
And no one talks
Nobody communicates
To the boy in the box
To the forlorn and ignored individual
(Boy in the box)
The helpless and restricted entity
When the world cried fox
When the cosmos tried to deceive you
No one talks
Nobody reaches out
You know, one, two
As a reminder of the chant
Like a boy in the box
Similar to a trapped and vulnerable individual
Come and see me from outside
Observe me from a distance
Come and kill me from outside
End my misery from a distance
Pull up your socks for the boy in the box
Prepare yourself to assist the helpless individual
Box
The container that symbolizes the boy's predicament
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Corey Hart
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cheshiechick
I'm 36 and I loved Corey Heart. I had nearly all his albums on cassette as a teenager. His music was so different and cool. Sigh* oh how I miss the 80's.
Comedy and Stimulus Hour
I had a good amount.
Scootermom
Me too! 😥
xhizors
One of the most underrated songs ever.
MnR Productions "Mariolaur"
Everything is so original about this song, what is totally lacking in today's music!!!
Benedict H
Do you still think this?
roger78753
I remember Corey Hart growing up in the mid 80s. I remember waiting and waiting for MTV world premiers for various new videos. It's amazing to see the amount of production that went into some of these 80s videos(boy in the box)...stage sets, actors, makeup, costumes. I think DuranDuran videos kicked off the "bigger will be better" idea. styles have changed but it's still an awesome production.
masood khan
Corey Hart music is fantastic!!
a t
One of the greatest song's of 1985!! I very much cherished the Autumn of 1985
Sparkina
The music of the 80s had a pizazz and a spark about it that a lot of modern music lacks