i’m always chasing rainbows
Harry Nilsson Lyrics

The lyrics of Harry Nilsson's song I'm Always Chasing Rainbows speak about the singer's life, which seems to be filled with disappointments and pursuit of impossible dreams. The title itself is a metaphor for the singer's lifelong tendency to pursue something intangible, like a rainbow that cannot be caught or a bird that cannot be found. The opening line "I'm always chasing rainbows" reinforces this metaphor, as the singer is always in pursuit of something just out of reach. The second line, "watching clouds drifting by," indicates the singer's tendency to daydream or lose himself in thought.

The next few lines of the song describe the singer's perpetually unfulfilled dreams and schemes. He compares them to his dreams, saying they "end in the sky." "Some fellows look and find the sunshine," he sings, "I always look and find the rain." This line is a reflection of the singer's hopeless outlook on life. No matter what he pursues, he is met with disappointment and failure. He goes on to say "Some fellows make a winning sometimes, I never even make a gain." These lines give the impression that the singer feels perpetually defeated, despite any efforts he makes.

The final line of the song "Believe me, I'm always chasing rainbows, waiting to find a little bluebird in vain" reveals that the singer may be in search of something impossible, like finding a bluebird that doesn't exist, or may be looking for happiness or meaning that he cannot find. Overall, the song speaks to the feeling of hopelessness and ennui felt by someone who is constantly chasing something just out of reach, without ever satisfactorily attaining it.