I Wanna Be Somebody
Gates of Ishtar Lyrics


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You say you don't wanna run and hide
A face that no-one knows
And everyone ya meet, you're gonna show
You're nobody's slave, nobody's chains are holdin' you
You hold your fist up high
And rule the zoo

Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin me
Cos I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too

You say you don't wanna starve
Or take the table crumbs that fall
You don't wanna beg or plead at all
You don't want no nine to five
Your fingers to the bone
You don't want the rock piles' bloody stones

Oh, you just got to be
Up high where the whole world's watchin me
Cos I, I got the guts to be somebody
To cry out

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too

I want shiny cars and dirty money
Lotsa rock and roll
I will live in fame and die in flames
I'm never gettin' old

I wanna be somebody
Be somebody soon
I wanna be somebody
Be somebody too





I'm gonna be somebody
I'm gonna be somebody

Overall Meaning

Gates of Ishtar's song "I Wanna Be Somebody" is an anthem about fighting against conformism and striving to be unique and successful. The lyrics convey a sense of rebellion against social norms and the desire to break free from the chains of a mundane life. The opening lines, "You say you don't wanna run and hide, a face that no-one knows, and everyone ya meet, you're gonna show" suggest a person who refuses to hide their true self and wants to display their individuality to the world. The lyrics continue to assert the person's desire not to be a slave to anyone or anything and to hold their fist up high and rule their world.


The chorus is the most powerful part of the song, where the singer repeatedly expresses their ambition to be somebody and not just a face in the crowd. The line "I wanna be somebody, be somebody soon" emphasizes the urgency of their ambition and highlights the fact that they don't want to wait for their dreams to come true. The verses that follow continue to emphasize the singer's objections to a standard nine-to-five job and the hardships associated with it, preferring instead shiny cars, dirty money, and living in fame. The chorus repeats again, now with more passion and determination, as the singer vows to be somebody.


Overall, "I Wanna Be Somebody" is a song that stands out as a call to action for anyone who feels stagnated by their circumstances and wants to aspire to greatness. It's a message that remains relevant, appealing to anyone who has ever felt trapped by society's expectations.


Line by Line Meaning

You say you don't wanna run and hide
You claim to be brave and confident, and not afraid of facing challenges or hiding from them.


A face that no-one knows
You want to be recognized and known for who you really are, without any masks or pretenses.


And everyone ya meet, you're gonna show
You want to showcase your true self to everyone you come across, without any fear or hesitation.


You're nobody's slave, nobody's chains are holdin' you
You refuse to be controlled or limited by anyone else's expectations or demands, and aim to be independent and free.


You hold your fist up high
You're ready to fight for your goals and assert your beliefs, and won't back down easily.


And rule the zoo
You aspire to be the leader and ruler of your own life, with complete control over your destiny.


Oh, you just got to be
You feel a deep, burning desire to achieve your dreams and make something out of yourself.


Up high where the whole world's watchin me
You want to be in the spotlight and be recognized by the entire world for your accomplishments and talents.


Cos I, I got the guts to be somebody
You have the courage and determination to be someone important and make a difference in the world.


To cry out
You want to express yourself and make your voice heard, without being silenced or ignored.


I wanna be somebody
You dream of being someone who's respected, admired, and loved by others, and not just a face in the crowd.


Be somebody soon
You aspire to achieve your goals and become the person you've always wanted to be, as soon as possible.


I want shiny cars and dirty money
You desire material wealth and luxuries, and are willing to do whatever it takes to get them, even if it means compromising your values.


Lotsa rock and roll
You also crave excitement and adventure in your life, and want to enjoy yourself to the fullest.


I will live in fame and die in flames
You're determined to leave a lasting legacy and be remembered for your achievements, even if it means burning out quickly.


I'm never gettin' old
You're determined to stay young and vibrant forever, and not let age slow you down or hold you back.


I'm gonna be somebody
You're absolutely certain that you'll achieve your dreams and become a somebody, no matter what obstacles you face or how long it takes.




Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

madhyamika

No way is this better than the original. It's ok at best, haha.

raul alejandro risco martinez

yeeeeaa, finaly I find it, this is a grate cover

Dartht33bagger

This is better than the original in my opinion.

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