Bus Stop
Eels Lyrics


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I don't miss where I came from
But each night I dream about being back home
When I wake up in the morning
I'm too tired, tired of being alone

So I get up and go downtown
And pick me out a little piece of ground
Where I can prove something to the world
I can prove something to the world

Don't look at me
I'm the bus stop boxer
Don't look at me
I'm the bus stop boxer

Daddy put us in the truck and
Dropped us off and said good luck, then
One lucky kid waiting for the bus
Made a winner out of one of us

Don't look at me
I'm the bus stop boxer
Don't look at me
I'm the bus stop boxer

Going down by the railroad tracks, where
People know that they better not relax
I'm the man, baby, I am the man
This is where I can make you understand

Don't look at me
I'm the bus stop boxer




Don't look at me
I'm the bus stop boxer

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Eels's song Bus Stop Boxer describe the story of someone who left their hometown and doesn't miss it, but still dreams of going back home at night. However, every morning they wake up tired and feeling isolated. So they leave and go downtown to find a place where they can prove something to the world. This desire to prove oneself drives them towards the downtown area, where they pick out a spot to show the world what they are capable of. In this moment, the singer addresses the listener, asking them not to look at them, as they are the bus stop boxer.


The second verse of the song talks about the singer's childhood. The person describing their childhood lived in modest circumstances and was raised by their father. The father would drop them off at a bus stop, where they would wait for the bus to take them to school. One day, someone from the bus stop made a winner out of the singer, who was otherwise just one of the kids waiting for the bus, by passing them something or doing something kind. In the following lines, the singer reiterates their warning from the first verse, asking the listeners not to look at them; they are the bus stop boxer.


The third verse describes the Bus Stop Boxer's journey to the railroad tracks. This is where they can prove their strength to everyone, showing the world that they are the man. The lyrics suggest that the area near the railroad tracks is unsafe, and people must always be on their guard. The ultimate aim of the singer is to make people understand that they are not someone to be messed with. In the end, the singer addresses the listener once again, repeating their warning not to look at them because they are the bus stop boxer.


Overall, the lyrics of Bus Stop Boxer by Eels reveal the story of someone who is driven to prove themselves in a world that can be difficult and unyielding. The singer's desire to succeed is the driving force behind their journey downtown and their search for a place to prove their worth.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't miss where I came from
I don't feel homesick


But each night I dream about being back home
I do miss the feeling of being home and I dream about it


When I wake up in the morning
After dreaming of home, when I wake up


I'm too tired, tired of being alone
I am tired of being alone even though I am not physically exerted


So I get up and go downtown
To feel better about myself, I go downtown


And pick me out a little piece of ground
I choose a spot for myself, a place where I can be seen


Where I can prove something to the world
I want to make a statement, prove that I am significant


Don't look at me
Do not judge me or underestimate me


I'm the bus stop boxer
I am a fighter, like a boxer, struggling to survive at the bus stop


Daddy put us in the truck and
My father drove us to a new place


Dropped us off and said good luck, then
He left us there and wished us luck


One lucky kid waiting for the bus
One fortunate kid who was waiting for the bus with us


Made a winner out of one of us
Became successful and made a fortunate life for himself


Going down by the railroad tracks, where
Going to a dangerous place, similar to the railroad tracks


People know that they better not relax
People are alert and cautious in this area


I'm the man, baby, I am the man
I am confident and powerful in this place


This is where I can make you understand
This place helps me prove to others that I am not weak




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN ALEXANDER WILLIAM PARISH, MARK O. EVERETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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