To Belong
Iggy Pop Lyrics


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A bird is sitting on the pavement
Someone broke his wing
Now that bird is going nowhere
And he's suffering

Now I understand the setup
I see everything
And the only way to go
Is defy, is defy, is defy

To belong here, to belong here, to belong here
I'm giving up my soul
To belong, to belong, to belong

A spider is sitting in a corner
Gonna catch a fly
The web is pulling tight around him
And the fly's I
But all I do is guard my pile
Cause it's my supply
And the only way to go
Is defy, is defy, is defy





To belong here, to belong here, to belong here
I'm giving up my soul

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Iggy Pop's song, "To Belong," set a somber tone with the image of a bird with a broken wing sitting helplessly on the pavement. The bird's suffering serves as a metaphor for the singer's own feeling of being trapped and unable to move forward. As the song continues, the singer acknowledges that they now understand the situation they are in and realize that the only way to move forward is to defy their circumstances.


The second verse introduces the image of a spider catching a fly in its web, again highlighting the idea of being trapped. However, the singer confesses that they too are guarding their own "pile," which they see as their only supply. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for clinging to material possessions or other forms of security that ultimately inhibit one's ability to be free and fully belong.


Throughout the song, the idea of belonging is presented as something that requires sacrifice - in this case, the singer is willing to give up their soul in order to belong. However, the song also suggests that belonging is not a straightforward or simple concept. To truly belong, one must first confront and defy the limitations that hold them back.


Line by Line Meaning

A bird is sitting on the pavement
There is a bird sitting on the pavement which represents someone who is stuck in a place where they cannot move or progress.


Someone broke his wing
The bird's wing has been broken, symbolizing a physical or emotional injury that is preventing the bird (or person) from being able to fly and reach their full potential.


Now that bird is going nowhere
As a result of its injury, the bird is unable to fly and is therefore trapped or stuck in one place with no way to move forward or escape its situation.


And he's suffering
The bird is in pain and distress due to its broken wing, which can be compared to someone who is struggling to overcome a difficult situation or emotional pain.


Now I understand the setup
The artist has gained a deeper understanding of the situation or problem, which allows them to see more clearly and find potential solutions or ways out of the situation.


I see everything
The singer has gained a broader perspective or understanding of the situation, which allows them to more easily identify the root cause and potential solutions.


And the only way to go
The only path forward is to take action and make changes, rather than remaining stuck in the same situation or mindset.


Is defy, is defy, is defy
The key to progressing or overcoming the situation is to defy or challenge the current circumstances or mindset that is holding them back from reaching their full potential or finding happiness.


To belong here, to belong here, to belong here
The desire to fit in or belong to a certain group or place can be a strong motivator for actions, even if it means sacrificing one's own values or beliefs.


I'm giving up my soul
The artist is sacrificing their own values or identity in order to belong, which can lead to a sense of emptiness or loss of self.


A spider is sitting in a corner
The spider represents someone who is waiting patiently for an opportunity or advantage to present itself.


Gonna catch a fly
The spider is waiting to take advantage of a situation, much like someone who is seeking to gain an advantage or benefit from a situation or person.


The web is pulling tight around him
The spider's web represents a trap or situation where someone is in control and trying to ensnare or manipulate others to their advantage.


And the fly's I
The fly is the unwitting victim or target of someone else's trap or manipulation, much like someone who is being taken advantage of or manipulated by another person or entity.


But all I do is guard my pile
The singer is focusing solely on their own interests or possessions, rather than looking out for others or trying to make a positive impact on the world.


Cause it's my supply
The artist is motivated by the desire to protect their own interests or possessions, which might be seen as selfish or short-sighted.


And the only way to go
The only path forward is to step outside of one's own self-interest and make positive changes that benefit others as well as oneself.


Is defy, is defy, is defy
The key to overcoming selfishness and making positive change is to challenge one's own mindset and habits, and seek to make a positive impact on the world.


To belong here, to belong here, to belong here
The desire to fit in or belong can be a powerful motivator, but sometimes it is necessary to break away from the crowd and follow one's own path in order to make true progress.


I'm giving up my soul
The artist is sacrificing their own identity or values in order to fit in or belong, which can be a painful experience and lead to a sense of emptiness or loss of self.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES OSTERBERG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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R Robinson


on Livin' On The Edge Of The Night (edit)

Here are corrections to incorrect lyrics - outrageously, stupidly incorrect: The first line is, "ILL WIND off the river". (And that's ill, not I'll.) The second line is, "smoke stacks fade to BLACK". Second verse: "I've made my bed but I can't REST my head". And "so much COULD be misunderstood". Bridge: "WELL maybe it's just my life". An artist crafts his work meticulously , then this is what happens to it. Disgusting.

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