Center of the Universe
Fred Schneider Lyrics
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The center of the universe
The black hole
That sucks up all the light
All the attention
From everyone around
Leaving empty sky
For us to gaze into
This Jeckyl and Hyde
You hide behind
I hope you're happy
But then what do you care
I've got to protect myself
Protect myself
I've got to protect myself
From the chaos
That you throw
You throw around
What does it matter
What I say
Did you ever listen
To me anyway
I'll move aside
As you chase your dreams
There's a real danger
In the way the tower leans
The tower leans
Here comes
The center of the universe
The black hole
That sucks up all the light
What matters is anti-matter
When you're around
If it's not your agenda
Then it's on the ground
It's on the ground
Here comes the center of the universe
Here comes the center of the universe
Here comes the center of the universe
Here comes the center of the universe
Here you come
Here you come
Here you come
Here you come
The Center of the Universe by Fred Schneider is a song about a certain individual who seems to crave all the attention in the world, never minding the chaos they throw around. They are represented as a black hole that sucks up all the light and gets all the attention from everyone around, leaving nothing but empty sky for others to gaze into. Schneider then takes a more direct approach, directly addressing the individual as "Jeckyl and Hyde" that needs to be hidden behind, telling them off, "I've got to protect myself from the chaos that you throw around". He emphasizes that the individual is dangerous and can cause real harm, "There's a real danger in the way the tower leans", possibly alluding to the possibility of a building collapsing or something similar due to the individual's reckless behavior.
The chorus, "Here comes the center of the universe", reinforces the idea that the individual is self-obsessed and will stop at nothing to get all the attention they desire. The line "What matters is anti-matter when you're around" implies that the individual's presence is disruptive and negative. The singer admits his inability to change the individual or make them listen, "What does it matter what I say? Did you ever listen to me anyway?". The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, reiterating the idea that here comes the center of the universe, and you can't escape their gravitational pull.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes
The introduction of a new, powerful force.
The center of the universe
A symbol of immense importance and influence.
The black hole
An entity that swallows everything in its path, leaving nothing behind.
That sucks up all the light
Stealing attention and energy, leaving others in darkness.
All the attention
Occupying the thoughts and focus of those nearby.
From everyone around
Taking from others without regard for their needs.
Leaving empty sky
A vacancy where something else could have shone.
For us to gaze into
An opportunity to look at what's missing and reflect on how to fill the void.
To gaze into
A chance for introspection and self-discovery.
This Jeckyl and Hyde
A person who presents two conflicting personalities, causing confusion and uncertainty in others.
You hide behind
Concealing true intentions, thoughts, or feelings from others.
I hope you're happy
A sincere wish that the person is content and fulfilled in life.
But then what do you care
A recognition that the person may not care about others' happiness or well-being.
I've got to protect myself
A need to set personal boundaries and guard against harm or manipulation.
Protect myself
An emphasis on the importance of self-care and self-preservation.
From the chaos
The disorder and confusion caused by the person's actions and words.
That you throw
The disruption and disturbance caused intentionally or unintentionally.
You throw around
The spreading of chaos and upheaval wherever the person goes.
What does it matter
A questioning of the importance or relevance of one's words or actions.
What I say
The expression of personal beliefs or feelings.
Did you ever listen
A doubt that the person paid attention or cared about others' opinions.
To me anyway
Despite the doubt, a persistence in stating one's thoughts and feelings.
I'll move aside
Stepping back to make room for someone else's ambitions or priorities.
As you chase your dreams
Pursuing personal aspirations, goals, or desires.
There's a real danger
A warning that there are consequences to actions and behavior.
In the way the tower leans
A metaphor for the instability and potential collapse of a situation or relationship.
What matters is anti-matter
A wordplay on the importance of what's not there, possibly implying the person's negative influence.
When you're around
Their presence having an impact.
If it's not your agenda
A focus on the person's self-interest and disregard for others' needs.
Then it's on the ground
The result of the person not getting their way.
Here you come
The return of the powerful force, back to occupy attention and space.
Here you come
An echo of the previous line, emphasizing the repetition and predictability of the person's actions.
Here you come
A final reinforcement of the person's impact and control over the situation.
Here you come
An ominous tone, possibly signaling the negative consequences to follow.
Contributed by Tristan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.