Success
Interpol Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Dreams of long life,
What safety can you find?
See the great unknown
That shape for miles
Good eye
I'm a good guy

Dreams of long life

What safety can you find?
If the sea will start strong
Maybe we had
Maybe we had to fly
Was a good try
I'm a good guy

As high as the day
I read the papers
Before crime would pay
I learned to bury most beliefs

I have succeeded
I won't compete for long
I'm not not supposed to show you
I've got two secrets
But I only told you one

Dreams of long life
What safety can you buy?
If the sea will start strong
Maybe we had
Maybe we had to fly
Somebody make me say no, no
Somebody make me say no, no
Somebody make me say no, no

Somebody make me say no, no, no, yes

I have succeeded
I won't compete for long
I'm not not supposed to show you
I've got two secrets
But I only told you one

I'm not not supposed to show you
I'm not not supposed to
I'm not not supposed to show you
I'm not not supposed to

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Interpol's song "Success" are filled with metaphorical language and offer multiple interpretations. The song seemingly explores the idea of achieving success and how it can lead to a sense of isolation or detachment from others. The chorus, "I have succeeded, I won't compete for long, I'm not supposed to show you, I've got two secrets but I only told you one" implies that success can create a divide between oneself and others, and that there are aspects of one's success that they may choose to keep hidden.

The verses contain imagery of vast and unknown landscapes, such as "See the great unknown that shapes for miles" and "If the sea will start strong, maybe we had to fly". These lines suggest a sense of adventure and uncertainty surrounding the pursuit of success. The lines "As high as the day I read the papers, before crime would pay, I learned to bury most beliefs" serve as a commentary on society and the way in which individuals learn to conform to societal expectations in order to achieve success.

Overall, "Success" is a complex and thought-provoking song that touches on themes of alienation, the pursuit of success, and the sacrifices made to attain it.

Line by Line Meaning

Dreams of long life
Wishing for a lengthy existence

What safety can you find?
What guarantees are there for security?

See the great unknown
Observe what is uncertain or unknown

That shape for miles
An object that stretches across vast distances

Good eye
Well-done using observation or perception

I'm a good guy
I am a well-meaning person

If the sea will start strong
In the event of strong oceanic conditions

Maybe we had
It's possible that we had

Maybe we had to fly
Perhaps we had no choice but to flee

Was a good try
It was a valiant effort

As high as the day
Up to the level of the day