Sideshow Attraction
Justin Young Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm just a highway no name just a number
Moving you faster back to good
I don't mind saving a weary traveler
Just tell me I'm no destination

I'm just a pillow helping hold your head up
Mildly comforting when you're lonely at night
You reach to hold me
'cause you hate feeling space beside you
But I don't get to go under the covers

CHORUS
All that I am is a sideshow attraction
All that I am is a little distraction and..
All that I'll ever be
Is here to amuse you, but that don't amuse me
(Baby) When you use me

I'm just a rain coat handed to your closet
Hanging on every word that the weather man says
(does it look like rain?)
I hold you tightly
You tell me that I fit nicely but
You fold me up first sign of summer

CHORUS

You're just a river running under my highway
I thought I'd stop and maybe go for a swim
You looked inviting
But I felt your chilly waters
I think I wait to find the ocean

All that you are is a field trip excursion
All that you are is a little diversion
All that you'll ever be
Is here to amuse me, but that don't amuse you
When I use you





How does it feel, how does it feel
How does it feel when the shoes on the other foot

Overall Meaning

The song "Sideshow Attraction" by Justin Young is a soft, melancholy ballad about being used and undervalued in a relationship. The lyrics describe how the singer is willing to be a helper and a comfort to their partner, but only as long as they are not expected to be a destination or a real part of their partner's life. The singer compares their role in the relationship to that of a sideshow attraction, a little distraction offered for amusement but not taken seriously.


The first verse establishes the singer's willingness to help their partner, but also their lack of interest in being a destination or having any real importance. The second verse describes how the singer is used as a comfort object, like a pillow or a rain coat, but only when it is convenient for their partner. The chorus underscores the singer's feelings of being devalued and used, as they describe themselves as a sideshow attraction, little more than a distraction for their partner. The final verse contains a poignant reversal, as the singer realizes that they too have used their partner as a way to distract themselves from their own problems.


Overall, "Sideshow Attraction" is a poignant and emotional song that captures the feeling of being undervalued and unappreciated in a relationship. The lyrics are well-crafted and thoughtful, and the subdued guitar and plaintive vocals create a mood of quiet reflection and sadness.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm just a highway no name just a number
I am a road without any specific identity or importance, serving only to transport you quickly to your desired destination.


Moving you faster back to good
My purpose is to help you get to a better state or situation more quickly.


I don't mind saving a weary traveler
I am willing to provide assistance to someone who is tired or in need of help.


Just tell me I'm no destination
However, it is important to recognize that I am not the ultimate goal - I am merely a tool to help you get there.


I'm just a pillow helping hold your head up
Similar to a pillow that supports your head when you sleep, I offer a small amount of comfort and companionship when you are lonely.


Mildly comforting when you're lonely at night
My comfort is not overly powerful or strong, but it is present in moments of loneliness or vulnerability.


You reach to hold me
When you feel alone, you seek physical comfort by holding onto me.


'cause you hate feeling space beside you
The empty space on your bed or couch is uncomfortable, so holding me helps to fill that void.


But I don't get to go under the covers
However, I am not allowed the full privileges of a sleeping partner - such as being tucked under the blankets.


All that I am is a sideshow attraction
In the grand scheme of things, my role in your life is ultimately insignificant and not central to your happiness.


All that I am is a little distraction and..
I serve as a temporary diversion or amusement, but nothing more.


All that I'll ever be
This is unlikely to change in the future.


Is here to amuse you, but that don't amuse me
Although I am a source of amusement to you, I do not find enjoyment in being reduced to a mere novelty.


I'm just a rain coat handed to your closet
Like a raincoat that is only needed in specific circumstances, I have a limited purpose.


Hanging on every word that the weather man says
I exist solely to protect you during moments of inclement weather.


(does it look like rain?)
You only remember my existence when you have a specific need for my services.


I hold you tightly
During a rainstorm, I offer physical warmth and security.


You tell me that I fit nicely but
However, when the weather improves, you forget about me and discard me.


You fold me up first sign of summer
Until the next time you need me, I will remain tucked away and forgotten.


You're just a river running under my highway
Like a river flowing beneath a road, you exist adjacent to me but we do not have a close relationship.


I thought I'd stop and maybe go for a swim
At one point, I considered exploring what you had to offer.


You looked inviting
However, upon closer examination, I found your demeanor to be misleading or deceptive.


But I felt your chilly waters
When I tried to engage with you, I realized that you were not as warm or inviting as you initially seemed.


I think I wait to find the ocean
I am still searching for something more substantial or meaningful, like the vastness of the ocean.


All that you are is a field trip excursion
Like a school trip to a local attraction, your impact on my life is temporary and fleeting.


All that you are is a little diversion
You serve as a brief source of entertainment or distraction, but nothing more.


All that you'll ever be
It is unlikely that you will become a significant part of my life in the future.


Is here to amuse me, but that don't amuse you
Although I may find you amusing or interesting, you may not experience the same level of enjoyment or fulfillment in our interactions.


When I use you
If I am exploiting or manipulating you for my own gain, this will ultimately harm our relationship.


How does it feel, how does it feel
If the roles were reversed, and I was being treated in the same manner, how would it make me feel?


How does it feel when the shoes on the other foot
When I consider how you may feel in a similar situation, it helps me to empathize with you and treat you with greater care and respect.




Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Kawaonahele


on E Kailua E

Beautiful

Punikauai


on Punaikeonaona

Hā lia lia
Ōe i kūaloha la
Ōpunaike ona ona
Kauaʻi kāhi kealohala
puna pāia āika hā ala
hīala āinōue ī kummanaola
kehōni aku ī kōhala
hō onaona ikū kīnola
puni e ikeala ō ia pūa puni e ikeala ō ia pūa
ē Pāke kolona heomo onialana
Niʻihau mai ne Kauaʻi ne uka
ō meomai kapua kealohala
imili iā kauā mōani anilehua
ēamaika mākakai ē nālula
aiā ika ō kaimū
ō ipo ana ehū ipo kailā
ikekai kāhela ō elū
ikekai kāhela ō elū
ialā ainōue kū manao onala
ke hōni ako e Kōhalā
ō onaona ikū kīnola
puni e ikeala ō ia pūa
puni e ikeala ō ia pūa
ā ia iamai anakapu anala
Ōpunaike onaona
Puna ā iā a ala ika hala
Ōpunaike onaona

Afuhia Moana Uilou


on Katinia

tbh this is a nice song

More Versions