The Ballad Of Paul K
McFly! Lyrics
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Feels like he's getting older
Now and noticing how he's finding
Grey hairs left in the shower
Tattoos fade by the hour
And he can't understand these feelings
Why life is getting him down
He used to smile now he frowns
Its been this way for a while
And he can't seem to put things right
When life has been unkind
And you're losing your mind
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
It feels like time's not on your side
He doesn't like to mention
Applying for his pension
So his children don't know he's heading
Into a mid-life crisis
He can't afford the prices for
The new kitchen floor he's buying
He's been a drunk all his life
Two kids, a dog and a wife
He doesn't know
And in the daytime he just sits and watches television shows
When life has been unkind
And you're losing your mind
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
It feels like time's not on your side
Don't know why but somehow
The ones you love you hate now,
You feel down and blue
Look at what you've thrown away
They stood beside you all the way
Now its too late, its too late for you
When life has been unkind
And you're losing your mind
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
It feels like time's not on your side
"The Ballad of Paul K" by McFly is a song that explores the struggles and emotions of a man named Paul as he navigates through mid-life and a sense of regret. The lyrics paint a picture of a man who is feeling the weight of aging and the passing of time. He notices physical changes, such as grey hairs and fading tattoos, which serve as reminders of his mortality. These physical manifestations seem to mirror Paul's internal turmoil, as he can't understand why he feels so down and can't seem to make things right.
Paul's struggles are further intensified by his financial situation. He mentions applying for his pension and not being able to afford the prices of the things he wants, like a new kitchen floor. These financial burdens add to his feelings of being trapped or stuck in life. He keeps his worries hidden from his children, perhaps wanting to shield them from his own internal battles.
The chorus of the song acknowledges the universal experience of feeling overwhelmed and lost when life has been unkind. Paul looks in the mirror and is afraid of what he might find, symbolizing a fear of confronting his own inner demons and the consequences of his choices. The lyrics suggest that time is not on his side, implying a sense of urgency and the pressure he feels to make things right before it's too late.
The song also touches on the theme of misplaced frustration and regret. Paul realizes that the ones he once loved, his family, have become targets of his unhappiness. He hates them now, or at least feels that way, showcasing his emotional turmoil. However, he also recognizes that he has thrown away their support and loyalty, and now it feels too late to reconcile with them.
Overall, "The Ballad of Paul K" captures the complex emotions that arise when one is faced with the challenges of mid-life, regret, and the struggle to find happiness and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
He's drinking cold Corona
He finds solace in drinking cold Corona, perhaps to numb his growing sense of age and disappointment
Feels like he's getting older
He is becoming more aware of the passing years and the effects they have on his life
Now and noticing how he's finding
At this moment, he is realizing and acknowledging certain aspects of his life that he had previously overlooked
Grey hairs left in the shower
He sees physical signs of aging, like grey hairs, which serve as a reminder of the passage of time
Tattoos fade by the hour
His tattoos, which were once vibrant expressions of his identity, are now fading as time progresses
And he can't understand these feelings
He is unable to comprehend the emotions and thoughts that have been weighing him down
Why life is getting him down
He is questioning why life has been bringing him sadness and disappointment
He used to smile now he frowns
In the past, he found joy and happiness, but now he often wears a frown on his face
And cries inside
Internally, he is experiencing deep sadness and despair
Its been this way for a while
These emotions and struggles have been ongoing for an extended period
And he can't seem to put things right
He is unable to find a solution or fix to improve his current situation
When life has been unkind
In moments when life has been unfair or difficult to handle
And you're losing your mind
When your mental state is deteriorating and you feel overwhelmed
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
He feels apprehensive to face his own reflection, fearing the truth that might be revealed
It feels like time's not on your side
He has a sense that time is running out and working against him
He doesn't like to mention
He avoids discussing or bringing up
Applying for his pension
The act of requesting his retirement benefits
So his children don't know he's heading
To avoid his children realizing or becoming aware that he is going through
Into a mid-life crisis
A period of uncertainty and dissatisfaction experienced in middle age
He can't afford the prices for
He lacks the financial means to pay for
The new kitchen floor he's buying
The purchase of a new floor for his kitchen
He's been a drunk all his life
Throughout his entire life, he has struggled with alcohol addiction
Two kids, a dog and a wife
He has the responsibilities of raising two children, caring for a dog, and being married
He doesn't know
He is unaware or lacks knowledge about
And in the daytime he just sits and watches television shows
During the day, he spends his time seated, passively engrossed in watching television programs
Don't know why but somehow
Unable to explain the reason, but in some inexplicable manner
The ones you love you hate now
He has developed feelings of hatred towards those he once loved, though he cannot comprehend why
You feel down and blue
He experiences deep sadness and melancholy
Look at what you've thrown away
Reflect on what he has carelessly discarded or lost
They stood beside you all the way
The people he loved and now resents have supported him consistently throughout his journey
Now its too late, its too late for you
He has reached a point where it is too late for redemption or reconciliation
When life has been unkind
During times when life has treated him harshly or unfairly
And you're losing your mind
When his mental state is deteriorating, causing him to feel overwhelmed
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
Feeling fearful and apprehensive about the reflection staring back at him
It feels like time's not on your side
There is a prevailing belief that time is working against him and running out
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DANIEL ALAN JONES, DOUGIE LEE POYNTER, THOMAS MICHAEL FLETCHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@karenfagu659
He's drinking cold Corona
Feels like he's getting older
Now and noticing how he's finding
Grey hairs left in the shower
Tattoos fade by the hour
And he can't understand these feelings
Why life is getting him down
He used to smile now he frowns
And cries inside
Its been this way for a while
And he can't seem to put things right
When life has been unkind
And you're losing your mind
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
It feels like time's not on your side
He doesn't like to mention
Applying for his pension
So his children don't know he's heading
Into a mid-life crisis
He can't afford the prices for
The new kitchen floor he's buying
He's been a drunk all his life
Two kids, a dog and a wife
He doesn't know
And in the daytime he just sits and watches television shows
When life has been unkind
And you're losing your mind
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
It feels like time's not on your side
Don't know why but somehow
The ones you love you hate now,
You feel down and blue
Look at what you've thrown away
They stood beside you all the way
Now its too late, its too late for you
When life has been unkind
And you're losing your mind
Look in the mirror afraid of what you'll find
It feels like time's not on your side
Compositores: Daniel Alan Jones / Dougie Lee Poynter / Thomas Michael Fletcher
Letras de The Ballad of Paul K © Universal Music Publishing Group
@alexthepensmith6101
The "Wonderland" album on a whole, whilst brilliant, remains a tricky one to unpick. There's not many pop bands who deliver something quite so ambitious for their second album as McFly did ("She Falls Asleep" is like their "Stairway to Heaven"). They pulled it off for the most part, but I'm not surprised that this still remains one of their lesser performing singles chart wise; in the context of the album as a whole and the lyrical themes it tackled, "The Ballad of Paul K" makes complete sense. But for the wider public who had bought into "5 Colours", "Obviously" and the technicolour bright imagery and sound of that first album, it was a very sharp about turn from what people knew and loved them for, more so this being released just before Christmas as a single. It didn't fully work in a commercial sense, a song about alcoholic absent fathers sits completely at odds with what does well at that time of year. They've spoken about this period of their career in great depth (Tom especially who was, undiagnosed, suffering from depression at the time, dying his hair black to boot) and whilst commercially it might not have worked creatively they pulled off such a bold risk take. The sign of a truly great band.
@mioraralison8170
my favourite album of them. Also, it reminds me a bit of Weeze's Pinkerton
@janelletherese5865
beautiful analysis of one of my fav albums! where did you hear about tom suffering from depression during this time? would love to hear it.
@alexthepensmith6101
@@janelletherese5865 If you read their book "Unsaid Things" he speaks quite openly about it and how he was difficult to be around during the promotion and touring of the album. Him and Harry in particular didn't get on at this time.
@charlottesometimes07
I always loved Danny's voice. Very manly and perfect tune. Love the song
@charlotted1321
Wonderland was an absolutley beautiful album, Tom and Danny s songwriting is somethin else, so glad they're back
@adebolaadebowale7592
sad how their songs now cant compare to their old albums
@natisinvisible
This is one of my favorite songs of theirs. I still think Wonderland was their best album. Amazing video too.
@MinjaSamardzicMusic
agree!:)
@jaazdelgaado1259
This song makes me feel so depressed, but I love it.