Anyone for Tennis
Cream Lyrics


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Twice upon a time in the valley of tear
The auctioneer is bidding for a box of fading years
And the elephants are dancing on the graves of squealing mice.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

And the ice creams are all melting on the streets of bloody beer
While beggars stain the pavement with fluorescent Christmas cheer
And the Bentley driving guru is putting up his price.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

And the prophets in the boutiques give out messages of hope
With jingle bells and fairy tales and blind colliding scopes
And you can tell they're all the same underneath the pretty lies.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

The yellow Buddhist monk is burning brightly at the zoo
You can bring a bowl of rice and a glass of water too




And fate is setting up the chessboard while death rolls out the dice.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't the be nice?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Cream's song "Anyone For Tennis" are rich in symbolism, painting a picture of a dystopian world filled with contrasts and ironies. In the first verse, the auctioneer is bidding for "a box of fading years," which could represent nostalgia or memories that are slipping away. Meanwhile, the elephants are dancing on the graves of squealing mice, embodying the idea of power and domination over weaker beings. The seemingly innocent question "Anyone for tennis?" that follows can be interpreted as a sarcastic comment on the triviality of leisure activities in the face of such heavy themes.


The second verse continues the theme of contrasts, describing how ice creams are melting on the streets of bloody beer while beggars stained the pavement with fluorescent Christmas cheer. The Bentley-driving guru raising his price is another example of how materialism and greed are taking over at the expense of values such as compassion and generosity. The chorus repeats the ironic question "Anyone for tennis?" underscoring the detachment and insensitivity to the harsh realities of life.


The third verse adds another layer of meaning, as it depicts the prophets in the boutiques giving out messages of hope through jingle bells and fairy tales, which ironically contrast with the "blind colliding scopes" that reveal the underlying falsehood of their claims. The yellow Buddhist monk burning brightly at the zoo, in conjunction with the image of bringing a bowl of rice and a glass of water, highlights the idea of sacrifice and selflessness in contrast to the self-indulgent and materialistic world described earlier. The final chorus again poses the question "Anyone for tennis?" as if to suggest that the threat of death and the question of meaning in life are less pressing than a game of tennis.


Line by Line Meaning

Twice upon a time in the valley of tear
In a place of great sadness and despair, something similar has happened before.


The auctioneer is bidding for a box of fading years
Someone is trying to sell something that has lost its value over time.


And the elephants are dancing on the graves of squealing mice.
Those in power are celebrating their success at the expense of the weak and vulnerable.


Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?
Despite the bleakness of the situation, let's pretend everything is okay and enjoy a game of tennis.


And the ice creams are all melting on the streets of bloody beer
Even something as innocent as ice cream is being ruined by the chaos of the world.


While beggars stain the pavement with fluorescent Christmas cheer
The joy of the holiday season is being tainted by the harsh reality of poverty and suffering.


And the Bentley driving guru is putting up his price.
Those who have wealth and power are constantly increasing their value and worth, leaving the less fortunate behind.


And the prophets in the boutiques give out messages of hope
Even in materialistic places, there are those who try to spread positivity and optimism.


With jingle bells and fairy tales and blind colliding scopes
The messages of hope are often mixed with unrealistic and shallow beliefs, leading to confusion and contradiction.


And you can tell they're all the same underneath the pretty lies.
Despite their different appearances and messages, they all have the same dishonesty and falseness at their core.


The yellow Buddhist monk is burning brightly at the zoo
Even something as peaceful and spiritual as Buddhism is being exploited and sensationalized for entertainment.


You can bring a bowl of rice and a glass of water too
People are encouraged to make offerings and perform rituals, yet the true essence of the religion is often ignored.


And fate is setting up the chessboard while death rolls out the dice.
Life is a game of both fate and chance, with unpredictable consequences and outcomes.


Anyone for tennis, wouldn't the be nice?
Once again, amidst the chaos and struggle of life, let's distract ourselves with a game of tennis and pretend everything is okay.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, MARTIN SHARPE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Oliviacaptain

Twice upon a time in the valley of tear
The auctioneer is bidding for a box of fading years
And the elephants are dancing on the graves of squealing mice.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

And the ice creams are all melting on the streets of bloody beer
While beggars stain the pavement with fluorescent Christmas cheer
And the Bentley driving guru is putting up his price.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

And the prophets in the boutiques give out messages of hope
With jingle bells and fairy tales and blind colliding scopes
And you can tell they're all the same underneath the pretty lies.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?

The yellow Buddhist monk is burning brightly at the zoo
You can bring a bowl of rice and a glass of water too
And fate is setting up the chessboard while death rolls out the dice.
Anyone for tennis, wouldn't that be nice?



All comments from YouTube:

@Lvdd

Cream is a hidden gem that must be found at least once in your life.

@aIbertinho

Wouldnt that be nice?

@ryanlawrence9010

CREAM is GOD.

@johnlagan2160

Found them years ago mate

@dt9r

hidden??

@bruzrkgro-malog2953

Greatest rock and roll band.

5 More Replies...

@tommygunner8680

A very underated Cream song and Eric's voice is great in this tune.

@sicksideworldwide1599

I second the motion

@LohiHarHar

@@sicksideworldwide1599 Kyllä! Ja pojat oli täysin selevistä päitten,

@simonvaughan6017

For a novelty song, it has a certain charm, but it's nothing to write home about.

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