First and Last
Flash and the Pan Lyrics
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In an orbit of the moon
Through a maze of moving pathways
There floats a spinning spoon
In spite of its existence
A test for weary heads
A marker for the new man
The road ahead
Aye ya, ya ya ya ya
Aye ya, ya ya ya ya
Aye ya, ya ya ya ya
Aye ya, ya ya ya ya
In the middle of the star swarm
An overfill of life There'll be a blinkered star child
Balanced on a knife
Lost to all the glory
Inward looking eyes
Extroverted hero
Losing paradise
In the wheel of turning circles
In an orbit of the moon
Through a maze of moving pathways
There floats a spinning spoon
In spite of its existence
A test for weary heads
A marker for the new man
The road ahead
In the middle of the star swarm
An overfill of life
There'll be a blinkered star child
Balanced on a knife
Lost to all the glory
Inward looking eyes
Extroverted hero
Losing paradise
First and last
First and last
First and last
First and last...
The lyrics of Flash and the Pan's song First and Last appear to be a poetic and abstract description of the cycle of life, the struggles we face, and the potential pitfalls that lie ahead. The first stanza speaks of a spinning spoon, which can be interpreted as a symbol for the path we take in life. It exists as a test for the weary heads, a marker for the new man, and the road ahead. The wheel of turning circles and the maze of moving pathways also signify the cyclical nature of life, with its constant twists and turns that we must navigate.
The second stanza introduces the concept of an overfill of life and a blinkered star child, who is balanced on a knife. This could be interpreted as someone who is trapped by their own success, such that they cannot fully appreciate their accomplishments. The inward-looking eyes and extroverted hero could be seen as two opposing sides of the same coin, representing the inner and outer struggles that we face as we move through life. The line "losing paradise" suggests that this can lead to a sense of loss, even as we attain success.
Taken together, the lyrics of First and Last offer a commentary on the human experience, with its highs and lows, victories and defeats, cycles of renewal and loss. The metaphor of the spinning spoon, the orbit of the moon, the star swarm, and the blinkered star child all point towards the sense of wonder and mystery that surrounds the human journey.
Line by Line Meaning
In the wheel of turning circles
Amidst a steady rotation of events and circumstances
In an orbit of the moon
Within the gravitational pull of lunar forces
Through a maze of moving pathways
Navigating through complex, ever-changing routes
There floats a spinning spoon
An oddity present, spinning and floating aimlessly
In spite of its existence
Regardless of its inconsequential presence
A test for weary heads
A challenge for those fatigued and mentally drained
A marker for the new man
An indicator of a fresh perspective and experience
The road ahead
The journey to come
In the middle of the star swarm
Surrounded by countless heavenly bodies
An overfill of life
A surplus of existence and vitality
There'll be a blinkered star child
An individual narrowly focused on their own path
Balanced on a knife
In a precarious position, teetering between success and failure
Lost to all the glory
Unaware of the grandeur surrounding them
Inward looking eyes
Eyes that only see within, ignoring the external world
Extroverted hero
A heroic figure who craves social interaction
Losing paradise
Slowly slipping away from their ideal existence
First and last
Beginning and end, the start and finish
Contributed by Evan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@CVMCo88
There'd be no AC/DC without the oldest Young Brother;-] Power to FATP most under rated band in music history!
@wernerh4505
first flash album i bought in the early 80s still love it
@javiercarrascomunoz6553
I can't understand the word 'still' in the phrase...
@ludo281160
Thank you for uploading this last song from F&P debut CD! Always awaiting here for *Welcome to the universe* extented CD-version on YT! Glorious music 1978 and fantastic memories....Great band, I miss them!
@danohstoolbox
had this on 8 track back in the day we listened to it on the way to Washington DC what a great LP
@Dezzaster2
thanxxx I've been looking for this song. I love this album and have it on cassette which my dad gave to me from when he was a teen.
@jaymmzzs
loved this album , i played the sh it out of it
@shldnbschmn
always liked this...
@poughkeepsiejohn1
in the wheel of turning circles in an orbit of the moon through a maze of moving pathways there floats a spinning spoon in spite of its existance a test of weary heads a marker for the new man the road ahead in the middle of the starswarm an overfill of life there be a blinkered starchild balanced on a knife lost to all the glory inward looking eyes extroverted hero losing paradise
@upioromnie
@jadzia7911 Hi in the New Year :-) Indeed, it would be nice to listen looking at the flames in the fireplace ....or looking at the sun However, the idyll !!!