What Ever Happened To The Hereos
Joss Stone Lyrics


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(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Oh, oh

I wish I could fly
Like a jet plane
I could read the minds of my enemies
Worship a poster
Carry a lunchbox
Have a superhero
To come and rescue me
I know only human
Only made with flesh and blood
I should have such expectations
Waiting here for love

Whatever happened to the heroes?
Fast food, fast cars and remote control
I just need someone to look up to
To help me down this winding road
So whatever happened to the heroes?

Joe Demagio
Martin Luther King
Mother Teresa
Princess Diana
Now it's Kurt Cobain
Take a pill for the pain
Celebrity mentality
Before you even spell your name

I know I'm full of imperfections
Baby aren't we all
But I could use a good example to
Stop before I fall
(Stop before I fall, what happened to)

Whatever happened to the heroes?
(Oh, oh)
Fast food, fast cars and remote control
(Remote control)
I just need someone to look up to
To help me down this winding road
(This winding road)
So whatever happened to the heroes?

We fall to the waste line
Give into the darkside
Buried alive
Before my eyes
Been brought to life
A zillion times
They like to build you up
Just to break you down, down, down
Just to break you down, oh

Whatever happened to the heroes?
(Whatever happened to the heroes?)
Fast food, fast cars and remote control
(Oh, yeah, what happened to the heroes, what happened to the heroes?)
I just need someone to look up to
To help me down this winding road
(Help me down, help me down)
So whatever happened to the heroes?
Whatever happened to the heroes?

(Whatever happened to the heroes?)
Fast food, fast cars and remote control
(Oh, yeah)
I just need someone to look up to
(To look up to)




To help me down this winding road
(Yeah, oh, oh)

Overall Meaning

In Joss Stone's song "What Ever Happened To The Heroes," the singer expresses a longing for a hero to look up to - someone to inspire her and guide her through the uncertainties of life. In the first verse, Stone lists off various attributes she wishes she had, including the ability to read the minds of her enemies and a superhero to come to her rescue. She acknowledges that she is only human, with all the flaws and imperfections that come with that, but still wishes for a role model to help her along the way.


In the second verse, Stone laments the shift in our society from admiring true heroes such as Martin Luther King or Mother Teresa to idolizing celebrities like Kurt Cobain who lead troubled lives and ultimately self-destruct. She wonders why fast food, fast cars, and remote control seem to have replaced the values we used to hold dear. The chorus repeats the plea for a hero, as Stone ponders what happened to the role models she used to look up to.


Overall, "What Ever Happened To The Heroes" is a commentary on our society's shifting values and the need for inspirational figures to guide us through life.


Line by Line Meaning

I wish I could fly
I desire to have the ability to fly


Like a jet plane
With the speed and ease of a jet plane


I could read the minds of my enemies
I could know their thoughts and plans


Worship a poster
Show intense admiration for a person on a poster


Carry a lunchbox
To feel the comfort and security of a lunch prepared with love


Have a superhero
To have a role model with supernatural powers and extraordinary abilities


To come and rescue me
To save me from danger or harm


I know only human
I am aware of my limitations and capabilities as a human being


Only made with flesh and blood
My body is comprised of organic tissues and cells


I should have such expectations
It is unrealistic for me to expect extraordinary feats of myself


Waiting here for love
Anticipating the love and affection of another


Whatever happened to the heroes?
Where have all the admirable figures gone?


Fast food, fast cars and remote control
Replacing heroes with materialism and convenience


I just need someone to look up to
I need a source of inspiration and admiration


To help me down this winding road
To guide me through life's complexities


So whatever happened to the heroes?
What has led to the scarcity of admirable figures?


Joe Demagio
A former baseball player and cultural icon


Martin Luther King
Civil rights leader, advocate for racial equality and justice


Mother Teresa
Catholic nun known for her work with the poor and sick


Princess Diana
Former member of the British royal family, known for her philanthropic work


Now it's Kurt Cobain
Singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana, known for his troubled life and tragic death


Take a pill for the pain
Using medication to alleviate physical or emotional discomfort


Celebrity mentality
Valuing fame and image above substance and integrity


Before you even spell your name
Achieving fame and recognition without much effort or skill


I know I'm full of imperfections
I acknowledge my flaws and weaknesses


Baby aren't we all
Humans are inherently flawed and imperfect


But I could use a good example to
I could benefit from having a positive role model


Stop before I fall
Prevent myself from making mistakes and engaging in harmful behaviors


We fall to the waste line
We succumb to unhealthy habits and lifestyles


Give into the dark side
Allowing negative and harmful impulses to guide our actions and decisions


Buried alive
Feeling trapped and suffocated by life's challenges and difficulties


Before my eyes
In plain sight, clearly visible


Been brought to life
Being rejuvenated or reinvigorated


A zillion times
Countless repetitions or instances


They like to build you up
People enjoy elevating others to a higher status or position


Just to break you down, down, down
To tear down, criticize or undermine someone's achievements or status


I just need someone to look up to
I need a positive and moral figure to emulate and learn from


To help me down this winding road
To guide me through the challenges and complexities of life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALECIA MOORE, BILLY MANN, CHRIS ROJAS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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