Back to School
Harry and the Potters Lyrics
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Flying a car?
We're only 12 years old
I can't believe that we havent crashed yet
It's ony a matter of time
And Ron got a howler
From Mrs. Weasley
Is that they don't care about me
We crashed it right into the Whomping Willow
What a way to arrive
I can't believe that we didnt get expelled
It's only a matter of time
And Ron got a howler
From Mrs. Weasley
The only good thing about living with the Dursleys
Is that they don't care about me
No, they don't care about me
The lyrics of Harry and the Potters' song Back to School depict the comical and daring experiences of two young wizards heading back to Hogwarts school in a flying car. The opening lines of the song express disbelief that they have not yet crashed the car, hinting at the inherent recklessness of their actions. The mention of Ron receiving a howler from his mother suggests that their actions have not gone unnoticed and will likely lead to trouble. However, Harry comments that the Dursleys – his cruel and neglectful guardians – do not care about him, perhaps suggesting that their recklessness is a way for them to rebel against authority figures who have failed to care for them.
The main event of the song is the crash of the flying car into the Whomping Willow, a tree on the Hogwarts grounds that attacks any object that comes near it. The lyrics suggest that this is not an ideal way to arrive at school, and they express disbelief that they were not expelled for the incident. The repetition of the line about Ron receiving a howler emphasizes the consequences of their actions, even if they don't seem to care.
Overall, the song reflects the sense of independence and adventurism that define the characters of Harry and Ron, as well as their youth and their tendency to act recklessly. It also hints at the darker elements of their lives, such as their troubled home lives and the watchful eyes of figures like Mrs. Weasley.
Line by Line Meaning
What are we doing
Questioning why we're flying a car
Flying a car?
Expressing disbelief at the dangerous act
We're only 12 years old
Acknowledging their young age and lack of experience
I can't believe that we haven't crashed yet
Recognizing their luck in avoiding disaster so far
It's only a matter of time
Suggesting that a crash is inevitably coming
And Ron got a howler
Reporting an event where Ron received a scolding letter from his mother
From Mrs. Weasley
Clarifying that the howler was from Ron's mother
The only good thing about living with the Dursleys
Stating a positive aspect of Harry's unpleasant living situation
Is that they don't care about me
Explaining that the Dursleys' neglect means Harry doesn't receive scolding letters from his own mother
We crashed it right into the Whomping Willow
Recounting the reckless accident that occurred
What a way to arrive
Commenting on the dramatic entrance they made
I can't believe that we didn't get expelled
Expressing surprise at their lack of punishment for breaking rules
It's only a matter of time
Suggesting that punishment for their actions will catch up to them eventually
And Ron got a howler
Repeating the event of Ron receiving a scolding letter
From Mrs. Weasley
Reminding the listener that Ron's mother was the sender
The only good thing about living with the Dursleys
Restating Harry's previously mentioned positive aspect of his living situation
Is that they don't care about me
Reiterating that Harry's neglectful guardians mean he doesn't receive scolding letters from his own mother
No, they don't care about me
Emphasizing Harry's lack of care from his guardians and contrasting it with Ron's mother's involvement in his life
Contributed by Sarah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.