Purpose
John Tartaglia/Rick Lyon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Purpose,
It's that little flame
That lights a fire
Under your ass.
Purpose,
It keeps you going strong
Like a car with a full
Everyone else has
A purpose
So what's mine?
Oh look! here's a penny!
It's from the year I was born!
It's a sign!
Ba-ba-ba-ba
Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
I don't know how I know,
But I'm gonna find
My purpose.
Gotta find out,
Don't want to wait!
Got to make sure that my
Life will be great!
Gotta find my purpose
Before it's too late.
I'm gonna find my purpose
Could be far, could be near
Could take a week,
A month, a year
At a job, or smoking grass
Maybe at a pottery class!
Could it be?
Yes it could!
Something's coming,
Something good!
I'm gonna find my purpose
I'm gonna find my purpose
I'm gonna find it!
What will it be? where will it be?
My purpose in life is a mystery
Gotta find my purpose
Gotta find me.
The song "Purpose" from Avenue Q as performed by John Tartaglia and Company, is a song about the quest for meaning and direction in one's life. It starts with Princeton's musing on the importance of purpose in life, comparing it to a flame that ignites a fire under one's ass and keeps them going strong, just like a full tank of gas in a car. Princeton wonders what his purpose is, jealous of others who seem to have theirs.
However, Princeton soon finds a penny that was minted in the year he was born and takes it as a sign that he will find his purpose. He becomes determined to find it sooner rather than later, worried that it will be too late if he continues to wait. The song features a series of possibilities for where Princeton might find his purpose, including at a job, smoking grass, or even at a pottery class.
The lyrics are upbeat and catchy, and the song perfectly captures the uncertainty and excitement of trying to figure out what one's purpose in life is. It encourages listeners to keep searching and trying new things until they find what truly makes them feel fulfilled.
Line by Line Meaning
Purpose,
The driving force that propels individuals to achieve their goals and aspirations.
It's that little flame
The spark that ignites the passion and motivation within oneself.
That lights a fire
The fuel that helps an individual keep going, even when faced with obstacles.
Under your ass.
A figurative expression suggesting that purpose provides individuals with a kick to start taking action.
It keeps you going strong
Purpose acts as a source of strength and persistence, helping individuals to persevere in the face of challenges.
Like a car with a full
A metaphorical comparison to a vehicle with a full tank of gas, indicating that purpose provides individuals with the energy and drive to move forward.
Tank of gas.
Everyone else has
A reflection that everyone has a purpose, and that the individual in the song wants to find his own purpose.
A purpose
So what's mine?
A rhetorical question emphasizing the search for personal purpose that the individual is undertaking.
Oh look! here's a penny!
A colloquialism intended to convey that even small signs and signals may have meaning or significance when searching for purpose.
It's from the year I was born!
A suggestion that the penny may hold significance or serve as a sign related to the individual's purpose.
It's a sign!
Ba-ba-ba-ba
Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
I don't know how I know,
A statement of intuition or instinct, suggesting that the individual is trusting his own inner voice to guide his quest for purpose.
But I'm gonna find
An assertion of confidence and determination in the search for personal purpose.
My purpose.
Gotta find out,
A sense of urgency and necessity surrounding the quest for personal purpose.
Don't want to wait!
Got to make sure that my
A sense of responsibility in the journey to find personal purpose, making sure the individual puts forth effort to find it.
Life will be great!
The belief that finding purpose is a key component in ensuring happiness and fulfillment in life.
Gotta find my purpose
Before it's too late.
An acknowledgement that there may be a sense of urgency and ending (possibly related to age and time) in the quest to find personal purpose.
I'm gonna find my purpose
Could be far, could be near
A recognition that personal purpose may be found in a variety of different places or contexts.
Could take a week,
Acknowledgment that finding one's purpose may take time, it's a journey, not an instant revelation.
A month, a year
At a job, or smoking grass
Happiness and purpose can be found in any environment or circumstance, even in unconventional situations.
Maybe at a pottery class!
Humorous reminder that finding purpose can happen in unexpected places.
Could it be?
A sense of possibility and openness to exploring the journey to find personal purpose in all ways and areas.
Yes it could!
Something's coming,
A sense of excitement and anticipation that something (presumably related to finding purpose) is on the horizon.
Something good!
I'm gonna find my purpose
I'm gonna find it!
What will it be? where will it be?
Acknowledgment of the mystery and unknowns that come with personal purpose and the journey towards it.
My purpose in life is a mystery
Gotta find my purpose
Gotta find me.
A sense of self-discovery and personal identity as related to the quest for purpose.
Lyrics ยฉ Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARTIN LOPEZ, JOEL EKELOEF, JOAKIM PLATBARZDIS, STEVE DI GIORGIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ComputerGeek1100
I think the most impressive part about this is that either Rick or John has said that they couldnโt hear each otherโs parts or see each other while filming this and it still came out so well
@channelhasbeenmoved639
It wasn't actually on zoom. Its just two videos.
@ComputerGeek1100
@@channelhasbeenmoved639 Yeah, that's what I meant to say. I give them (and whoever edited this) so much credit because it came out great.
@TheLyonPuppets
Yup, totally shot these independently of each other. Just hoped it would cut together - and it worked pretty well! Editor did a great job!
@brysonrobinson524
@@TheLyonPuppets are the real rick Lyon
@caspercain2533
Can confirm this is him.
@randomfandoms6769
This show was created 17 years ago. It's amazing how the original cast can still get together (virtually, or course) to do stuff like this!
@kplay6421
I love how nicky is just vibing in his bedroom with a pride flag, ballons and a suit singing and Rod is just slowly shaking and getting closer to the camera ๐๐๐
@3amknowsmysecrets
I WOULD PROTECT THEM ALL WITH MY LIFE
@matthewweikert20
Me too