Television
Mansun Lyrics

On top of the hour
The song starts with the singer suggesting they have a compulsion to watch the news and incoming information.

(Compulsive my behaviour)
The singer reaffirms that their behavior is compulsive, indicating that their behavior is causing them to act in an unrestrained manner and beyond control.

I see my life through Sky News
The singer suggests that watching Sky News is how they perceive information about their life.

(Keeping things in order)
The artist suggests that watching the news helps them keep things organized in their mind.

Keep on watching things unfolding on my widescreen set
The artist suggests that they are constantly watching events unfold on their television, suggesting they are keeping up with current events to stay informed.

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
This line is a musical interlude and has no specific meaning.

Can't contain myself, I'm going pay-per-view
The singer suggests that they are so invested in watching television that they have moved on to watching pay-per-view, indicating that their behavior is becoming excessive.

Think I'll explode
The artist suggests that their behavior of compulsively watching TV could result in them losing control.

(In the corner of my room)
The artist again points out that they are isolated in a corner, suggesting that their behavior has led to them being distanced from others.

If I do too much gak
The artist suggests that if they do too much cocaine (colloquially referred to as 'gak'), their behavior could become even more out of control.

(Sits my one big eyeball)
The singer makes a reference to their eye, suggesting that their eye has become fatigued from watching too much TV.

It's with the advent of this pay-per-view
The artist recognizes that their behavior is becoming more intense with the advent of pay-per-view TV, indicating that their addiction to consuming entertainment is reaching a new level.

Can't control myself
The singer suggests that they have little to no control over their behavior of compulsively watching TV.

I scratch my knee, I have to scratch the other
The singer indicates that their behavior includes nervous tics, such as having to scratch one knee after having scratched the other.

(This is Sky News)
The singer is reaffirming that they are still watching Sky News and addictions can be associated with repetitive behavior or obsessions.

Documentaries are the best
The artist suggests that they prefer watching documentaries as a way of learning about the world through TV.

Through my TV, through my TV all my problems come
The artist admits that their addiction to TV is affecting their life negatively, causing them problems.

I study quite hard
The singer suggests they study hard, but it is spurned with their behavior and addiction to TV.

(In the corner of my room)
The singer is still isolated, still distanced from others.

(Sits my one big eyeball)
Again, the artist suggests that their eye is becoming fatigued from watching TV so much.

When I should be in bed
The artist suggests they should be sleeping, but their addiction to TV keeps them awake.

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
This line is a musical interlude and has no specific meaning.

Constant imprint of the test-card on my eyes
The singer is describing the effects of spending too much time watching TV, stating that the image of the test-card, suggesting their eyes hurt by continuously watching TV or they experience visual distortion.

I think I should rest
The artist acknowledges that they should take a break from watching TV.

(Compulsive my behaviour)
The singer is again acknowledging that their behavior is compulsive, and they need to address it.

Sleep on one side and then the other
The singer is now indicating that they are starting to feel the physical effects of their addiction to TV and are struggling to feel comfortable enough to sleep, and so they have to sleep on each side alternatively.

(Keeping things in order)
The singer is still seeking to find order within their life by watching TV.

Always searching for the abilene
The artist is using a term from a western novel, indicating they are searching for something unattainable and will remain unattainable. In this case, the unattainable desire is to gain control of their excessive behavior.

(Sky News on the hour)
The artist is still watching Sky News and remains isolated from utilizing healthy forms of entertainment and socialization.

Sky News, Sky News, Sky News, Sky News, Sky, Sky, Sky.....
The singer continues to affirm their addiction to Sky News and TV in general.

Oh-oh, ah-ha-aah-aah-aah
This line is a musical interlude and has no specific meaning.

Ha-aah-aah-aah-aah-aah-aah
This line is a musical interlude and has no specific meaning.

All my problems come-oh-ah!
The artist again reiterates that their addiction to TV is causing problems in their life.