Balloon
Kate & Anna McGarrigle/Lou Reed Lyrics
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Squeeze me and bend me it's never enough
Put your lips around me, blow me up
But if you prick me I will pop
I'm a little balloon full and firm
Here is my aft and here is my stern
Here's my lips and here's my hose
If you prick me I will burst
The lyrics to Kate & Anna McGarrigle/Lou Reed's song Balloon explore the concept of pressure and the inevitability of bursting when pushed too far. The metaphor of a balloon is used to represent the human psyche and how it can become puffed up with external forces, but at the same time, it is incredibly fragile and can pop at any moment. The lyrics start with the portrayal of the balloon as a submissive object, easily malleable and never satisfied with being squished or bent. It is waiting for the air from the outside to fill it up so it can be complete.
However, the lyrics quickly take a turn as they go on to depict the inevitable consequences of being overly inflated with no outlet. The balloon warns that if it is pricked, it will instantly pop, signifying the extreme fragility of the human mind. The second verse begins by describing the balloon as "full and firm," but also highlights the clear vulnerabilities of the balloon by pointing out its "aft" and "stern." The lyrics point out that the balloon could burst at any moment, and its only chance of survival is to be put down or released.
Overall, the song Balloon touches upon an essential aspect of human nature that often goes unnoticed - the need for a balance between internal and external pressures. It portrays the dangers of becoming too puffed up with external forces and reminds us that there is a limit to what we can handle before bursting.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a little balloon and I get puffed up
I may look small and insignificant, but I have a lot of potential inside of me.
Squeeze me and bend me it's never enough
Sometimes people underestimate my resilience and try to bend me to their will, but I cannot be easily broken.
Put your lips around me, blow me up
With the right kind of love and attention, I can grow and expand beyond what anyone thought was possible.
But if you prick me I will pop
Despite my strength, I am still vulnerable, and even the slightest wrong move can cause all of my hard work to come crashing down.
I'm a little balloon full and firm
I am at my best when I am filled with purpose and confidence, and have a clear sense of where I'm headed.
Here is my aft and here is my stern
I have my flaws, but I am still capable of steering myself towards greatness.
Here's my lips and here's my hose
These are the tools I have, and I will use them to the best of my ability in order to achieve my goals.
Put me down or I will burst
Don't try to control me or hold me back from what I'm meant to do, or I will explode with passion and intensity.
If you prick me I will burst
My strength and confidence are not unbreakable, and it is important to treat me with care and respect in order to avoid losing what makes me special.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind