Stuck in the Middle
Mika Lyrics
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Your wrinkled eyes betray the joy with which you smile
I care to see my reason, I care to put your life in mine
Lookin' at life from the perspective of a boy
Who's learned to love you but has also learned to grow
Could we make it better, stormy weather?
So hard to know
Oh, oh, oh, is there anybody home?
Who will believe me, won't deceive me
Won't try to change me?
Ah, ah, ah, is there anybody home?
Who wants to have me just to love me?
Stuck in the middle
Uh check it out, uh check out
I look at you, you look at me, we bite each other
And with your bitter words you kick me in the gutter
But my troops are bigger than yours
'Cause you'll never stand my fight
Ours is a family that's based upon tradition
But with my careless words I tread upon your vision
Are five kids better than one?
Who doesn't like to be gone?
Oh, oh, oh, is there anybody home?
Who will believe me, won't deceive me
Won't try to change me?
Ah, ah, ah, is there anybody home?
Who wants to have me just to love me?
Stuck in the middle, yeah, yeah, yeah
This is to my name
This ain't a greater plan
To break your heart of me
I know that what I've started
Means that when we have parted
I can live in honesty
Oh, oh, oh, is there anybody home?
Who will believe me, won't deceive me
Won't try to change me?
Ah, ah, ah, is there anybody home?
Who wants to have me just to love me?
Stuck in the middle
Stuck in the middle
Stuck in the middle
Stuck in the middle
The lyrics in Mika's song "Stuck in the Middle" are layered with themes of family dynamics, love, growth, and mortality. The persona in the song is looking at life from a boy's perspective, which means he is young and still learning. He speaks of his wrinkled loved one's eyes betraying the joy with which they smile, which could suggest that he understands the finite nature of life and the looming uncertainty of death. He cares to see his reason, which means he wants to understand the meaning of their existence and how their lives intertwine. The persona speaks of making things better and enduring stormy weather, an indication of his desire to improve the relationship he has with his loved ones.
The song's chorus speaks of searching for someone who will believe him, won't deceive him, and won't try to change him. The persona is stuck in the middle of a family's tradition, and with his careless words, he treads upon their vision. He is questioning the family's structure, asking whether having five kids is better than one, and wondering who likes to be gone. These lyrics suggest that the persona is trying to challenge his family's beliefs and looks at the world differently than they do, which could cause tension.
The song's bridge suggests that the persona is looking to break away from the family's rules and pursue his truth. He speaks of wanting someone who wants to have him just to love him, indicating that he is looking for acceptance and validation that may not exist at home. Ultimately, the song highlights the struggle of growing up in a family with divergent beliefs while trying to find one's place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I sit and think about the day that you're gonna die
Contemplating the inevitability of death
Your wrinkled eyes betray the joy with which you smile
Age and wisdom brings its own challenges
I care to see my reason, I care to put your life in mine
Wanting to make a meaningful connection
Lookin' at life from the perspective of a boy
Viewing life through the lens of inexperience
Who's learned to love you but has also learned to grow
Balancing love and personal development
Could we make it better, stormy weather?
Questioning whether relationships can weather difficult times
So hard to know
Uncertainty about the future
Oh, oh, oh, is there anybody home?
Seeking genuine connection
Who will believe me, won't deceive me
Looking for trust and honesty
Won't try to change me?
Desiring acceptance for who you are
Ah, ah, ah, is there anybody home?
Continuing to search for belonging
Who wants to have me just to love me?
Questioning if love is enough
Stuck in the middle
Feeling trapped in a difficult situation
I look at you, you look at me, we bite each other
Engaging in a hurtful cycle of behavior
And with your bitter words you kick me in the gutter
Using harsh words to hurt the other person
But my troops are bigger than yours
Feeling empowered and confident
'Cause you'll never stand my fight
Feeling like the other person could never understand or support you
Ours is a family that's based upon tradition
Being a part of a family with strong values and customs
But with my careless words I tread upon your vision
Unknowingly damaging the vision and goals of the family
Are five kids better than one?
Questioning the value of family size
Who doesn't like to be gone?
Wondering about the impact of leaving the family
This is to my name
Taking responsibility for one's actions
This ain't a greater plan
Acknowledging the lack of control
To break your heart of me
Feeling guilty for causing pain to the other person
I know that what I've started
Being aware of the consequences of one's actions
Means that when we have parted
Understanding that the relationship may not last forever
I can live in honesty
Striving for personal honesty and integrity
Stuck in the middle
Feeling trapped in a difficult situation
Stuck in the middle
Feeling trapped in a difficult situation
Stuck in the middle
Feeling trapped in a difficult situation
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Michael Holbrook Penniman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind