Dancer
F. J. Lyrics

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When a man is running from his boss
Who hold a gun that fires "cost"
And people die from being cold
Or left alone because they're old

And bombs are dropped on fighting cats
And children's dreams are run with rats
If you complain you disappear

Just like the lesbians and queers

No one can love without the grace
Of some unseen and distant face
And you get beaten up by blacks
Who though they worked still got the sack

And when your soul tells you to hide
Your very right to die denied
And in the battle on the streets
You fight computers and receipts

And when a man is trying to change
But only causes further pain
You realize that all along
Something in us going wrong.

You stop dancing.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to F. J.'s song "Dancer" portray a bleak and hopeless world in which individuals are struggling to survive amidst violence, discrimination, and the dehumanization of society. The lines "when a man is running from his boss who holds a gun that fires 'cost'" and "and bombs are dropped on fighting cats" paint a picture of a world in which greed and wars are commonplace. The line "children's dreams are run with rats" suggests that the innocence and hope of the young are being destroyed by the harsh realities of the world. The mention of "lesbians and queers" disappearing when they complain about their treatment highlights the oppression faced by marginalized communities.

The lyrics suggest that love cannot exist in a world where there is so much suffering and hatred. The line "no one can love without the grace of some unseen and distant face" implies that a higher power or force is needed for love to manifest, and that we are incapable of loving on our own. The line "you get beaten up by blacks who, though they worked, still got the sack" alludes to the racism and discrimination faced by people of color, even when they have put in the same amount of work as their white counterparts.

The last stanza suggests that even when people try to enact change, their efforts can often lead to more pain and suffering. The line "something in us going wrong" suggests a deeper psychological and societal problem, something that is ingrained in us and is difficult to change.

Overall, the lyrics of "Dancer" paint a dark picture of society's failure to uplift and support all its members, and suggest that sometimes the only option left is to stop dancing.

Line by Line Meaning

When a man is running from his boss
A man is fleeing from his superior at work.

Who hold a gun that fires 'cost'
The boss holds power that can harm the man's livelihood.

And people die from being cold
People perish from lack of basic needs like warmth.

Or left alone because they're old
The elderly are forsaken due to their age.

And bombs are dropped on fighting cats
War and conflict cause destruction and harm.

And children's dreams are run with rats
Innocent aspirations are tainted by harsh realities.

If you complain you disappear
Speaking out can lead to silencing or exclusion.

Just like the lesbians and queers
Members of marginalized communities are subject to unequal treatment.

No one can love without the grace
Love requires a certain level of privilege or favorable circumstances.

Of some unseen and distant face
This privilege or favor is often invisible or intangible.

And you get beaten up by blacks
People of color experience violence and discrimination.

Who though they worked still got the sack
Despite their efforts, people can still lose their jobs unjustly.

And when your soul tells you to hide
Your intuition prompts you to retreat or withdraw from danger.

Your very right to die denied
Even the choice to end one's suffering or hardship can be taken away.

And in the battle on the streets
Life can feel like a constant struggle and warzone.

You fight computers and receipts
Modern technology and bureaucracy can exacerbate challenges.

And when a man is trying to change
Attempts at making progress can actually cause more harm.

But only causes further pain
These efforts can inflict more suffering for those already hurting.

You realize that all along
This realization dawns on the singer.

Something in us going wrong.
A flawed and broken system or society is at play.

You stop dancing.
In the face of these challenges and injustices, one can lose the spirit to celebrate and enjoy life.

Lyrics © ABKCO MUSIC INC PETE TOWNSHEND CATALOG , FABULOUS MUSIC LTD , SPIRIT MUSIC GROUP
Written by: PETER DENNIS BLANDFOR TOWNSHEND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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