The Show Must Go On
Elton John Queen Lyrics


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Empty spaces, what are we living for?
Abandoned places, I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore?

The show must go on
The show must go on
Yeah
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on

Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on, does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I'm learning (I'm learning), I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning (turning, turning, turning), 'round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free

The show must go on
The show must go on (yeah yeah)
Ooh, inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on

Yeah

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly my friends

The show must go on, yeah
The show must go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On with the show

Ooh, I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
(On with the show, on with the show)





Show (show must go on, go on)

Overall Meaning

"The Show Must Go On" is a powerful song with a message of resilience in the face of adversity. It contemplates the purpose of life and the struggles we have to deal with as we quest for fulfillment. The lyrics are a commentary on the current state of the world, where people are just mere puppets, putting on a show of normalcy when everything else is crumbling around them. The phrase "Empty spaces, what are we living for?" sets the tone for the song, highlighting the emptiness that can come with life's pursuits.


The theme of the hero is also explored, where people constantly look for someone to save them from their problems, but often end up being met with disappointment. This is why the line "Another hero, another mindless crime" is quite poignant. Despite everything, the singer determines that the show must go on, meaning that life must continue regardless of the challenges that come our way.


The third verse is about acceptance of whatever fate has in store. Whatever happens, the singer plans to leave it all to chance. They have come to terms with the fact that not every romantic relationship will work out and that there are bound to be heartaches now and then. In the final verse, the singer is reflective and philosophical, painting their soul like the wings of butterflies. They speak on the ideal of never giving up and persevering through life's trials and tribulations.


Line by Line Meaning

Empty spaces, what are we living for?
What is the point of living in this world with all these voids and emptiness?


Abandoned places, I guess we know the score
The abandoned places clearly indicate that we have lost the game of life.


On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for?
We have been struggling from time immemorial, does anybody know the real purpose and meaning of our lives?


Another hero, another mindless crime
We have different heroes to look up to, but sadly it doesn't stop the mindless crimes from happening.


Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Life is like a play, everything that happens is predetermined and we are mere actors.


Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore?
Can we hold on any further? Does anyone have the will and spirit to endure?


The show must go on
Despite all the adversities one must keep striving and progressing in life.


Inside my heart is breaking
I might be crumbling internally, but I still have to carry on with a brave face.


My make-up may be flaking
My efforts to conceal the true emotions are slowly failing.


But my smile still stays on
I shall still carry a joyful demeanor despite the hardships.


Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance
Whatever happens in this unpredictable world, I'll leave it up to fate.


Another heartache, another failed romance
Life is full of heartaches and broken romances which are nothing but a longing for something that would last forever.


I guess I'm learning (I'm learning), I must be warmer now
Amidst such tragedies, I am learning to get accustomed to the varied emotions and yet always keeping a soft heart.


'Round the corner now, outside the dawn is breaking
I see a glimmer of hope on the horizon as the dawn is about to break.


But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The darkness inside still lingers, and I crave to be liberated from it.


My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
My soul is as beautiful and fleeting as the wings of a butterfly.


Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
The fairy tales of yesterday shall forever hold a special place in everyone's heart despite the passing of time.


I can fly my friends
I still have some control over my destiny and life journey.


I'll face it with a grin
I will always carry a smile, come what may.


I'm never giving in
I will never give up on life, no matter how tough it gets.


Ooh, I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I'll surpass everyone's expectations and deliver more than what's been asked for.


I have to find the will to carry on
I must muster the courage and determination to keep going, no matter what.


On with the show
The performance must continue despite the odds.


Show (show must go on, go on)
The show must go on and we must continue living, no matter what comes our way.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury

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

@pairedgalaxy2163

Its lovely how brian always talks about how much he misses Freddie its just sad though and everybody loved Freddie,John just thought Freddie is the only person with that talent and knew it was over after his death,I would say if everybody in this world had a gun nobody would shoot Freddie he is a legand

R.I.P
Freddie Mercury
The greatest showman ever.A legand
And his words were.
The show must go on.
And thats what we will do keep Queen were they are on fam and how good people like their music
The best band ever



All comments from YouTube:

@TheThirdGerman

He didn't sing this to contest with Freddie Mercury, he sang it to honour him. He deserves credit for that. Some people here fail to realize that.

@VOD713

TheThirdGerman 👏🏼

@Jbessette

It should be noted that Freddy Mercury and Elton John were close friends

@ykalon

@@Jbessette Elton John is friend to just about all in the music industry.

@rustinzitoun6820

Man, i just realized that its true

@brendendesimone9278

@@ykalon he's not friends with Keith Richards

95 More Replies...

@angiel2710

Elton was a great friend of Freddie’s and even visited him on his deathbed. LOYALTY

@RB747domme

Angie L I'm not entirely certain Elton actually visited Freddie ON his deathbed..

..If he did, then that's probably best kept prrivate between Elton and Freddie.

@joshualaedtke2043

Freddie never had a deathbed

@juliact

@@RB747domme He did. There's video of it. I'm not sure how close it was to the end, but he visited Freddie regularly after Freddie became house-bound. He used to sneak in the back, but I think the last time he came, he said, F*** it, and came in the front door. The press door-stopped him and asked him what he was doing there, he said, "I'm simply visiting a friend". God bless you Elton.

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