Only A Downstat
Gary Numan / Tubeway Army Lyrics
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Personality problem
He would say things like 'I love you'
And cry real tears
Met him in some place
Like a home for old mothers
Where the cure is always death
He wore a number 7
Badge on his collar
He would show it with pride
And say 'it means I can feel'
He'd bribe the warders
To send letters to someone
Who didn't even know his name
But said she'd read them anyway
And in the evening (??)
He writes poetry for people
Who deny he's alive
And say 'I'll mention that name'
A violator of the law of no feelings
They should be put in the chair
Until their eyes come in (??)
If you have reasons
I might sell you my time
I'll leave it under the stairs
In a body of mine
Old memories are slowly fading out of me
We are the unknowns, we are all you need
The song "Only A Downstat" by Gary Numan / Tubeway Army is a poignant account of a man who is struggling with a severe personality disorder. The lyrics describe his behavior as erratic and unpredictable, often saying things like "I love you" and crying real tears seemingly without reason. The man appears to have been institutionalized in a home for the elderly or infirmed, where the cure is always death, and yet no one ever leaves. Despite his circumstances, he wears a badge with pride, a number 7 badge on his collar, and explains to those who will listen that it means "I can feel".
The man seems desperate for connection, even bribing the warders to send letters to someone who doesn't even know his name but said she would read them all the same. In the evenings, the man writes poetry for people who deny he's even alive and says he'll mention their names. The song ends on a surprisingly dark note with the line "A violator of the law on no feelings, they should be put in the chair until their eyes come in(?) If you have reasons, I might sell you my time. I'll leave it under the stairs in a body of mine. Old memories are slowly fading out of me. We are the unknowns, we are all you need."
The lyrics of "Only A Downstat" describe a man who is deeply disturbed and struggling to connect with those around him. Though the situation is bleak, the song emphasizes the importance of human connection and empathy. Perhaps the man's desire for a connection with others is what has kept him alive despite his institutionalization.
Line by Line Meaning
Only a downstat
A person with a lower status or depressed condition
Personality problem
An issue with one's character or psychological state
He would say things like 'I love you'
He expressed affection towards others
And cry real tears
And would genuinely cry
Met him in some place
Encountered him in an establishment
Like a home for old mothers
Similar to a retirement home for elderly women
Where the cure is always death
Where the outcome is always fatal
But no-one ever leaves
But the patients never recover or get discharged
He wore a number 7
He had a badge with the number 7 on it
Badge on his collar
The badge was on his shirt collar
He would show it with pride
He would display it happily
And say 'it means I can feel'
And explain that it signifies his ability to feel emotions
He'd bribe the warders
He would offer bribes to the guards
To send letters to someone
In order to send letters to someone he knew
Who didn't even know his name
Someone who was unfamiliar with him
But said she'd read them anyway
But nevertheless promised to read them
And in the evening (?),
Presumably during the night,
He writes poetry for people
He composes poetry for others
Who deny he's alive
Who refuse to acknowledge his existence
And say 'I'll mention that name'
And say 'I will bring up his name'
A violator of the law of no feelings
Someone who disregards the rule of not showing emotions
They should be put in the chair
They should be executed in the electric chair
Until their eyes come in (?)
Until their eyes bulge out from the electric shock (unclear due to missing context)
If you have reasons
If you have justification for your request
I might sell you my time
I might agree to spend time with you for a price
I'll leave it under the stairs
I will hide it under the staircase
In a body of mine
In a form or space belonging to me
Old memories are slowly fading out of me
My past experiences are gradually dissipating
We are the unknowns, we are all you need
We, the marginalized or overlooked individuals, are all that you require
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GARY ANTHONY JAMES WEBB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind