IDOL
NamNamBulu Lyrics
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It's full of warmth and made to fight
Your model courage sets a mark
It always guides me with it's shining in the dark
Why can't I be the way you are
For me you seem unreachable far
I wish that I could be like you
I only have to change name
I will no longer be the same
And everyone that starred at me
Will asked forgiveness once they see
How could I ever be like you
With all the wonders that you do
You make fool of me I fear
I'll have to end this now and here
Your words have weight and carry on
You seem to think of everyone
This is how history is made
The more you shine the more I fade
I feel unworthy out of place
To me you are from outer space
And nothing that I say or do
Will make me change make me to you
I only have to change name
I will no longer be the same
And everyone that starred at me
Will asked forgiveness once they see
How could I ever be like you
With all the wonders that you do
You make fool of me I fear
I'll have to end this now and here
Borders
The song "Idol" by NamNamBulu is a poignant reflection on the human tendency to idolize another person and to aspire to be like them. The lyrics describe the singer's admiration for someone they perceive to be brave, confident, and self-assured. The first two lines of the song set up the metaphor of the heart as a "shining light" – a symbol of the person's inner strength and courage. For the singer, this person's "model courage sets a mark" and inspires them with hope and guidance, even in the darkest of moments.
However, as the song progresses, the singer begins to feel inadequate in comparison to their idol. The lines "Why can't I be the way you are / For me, you seem unreachable far" serve as a reminder that the ideal we aspire to sometimes feels unattainable. Despite their admiration, the singer realizes that they can never truly be like their idol. As the song continues, it becomes clear that the singer's feelings of inferiority stem from their own perception of themselves as unworthy and out of place.
The final lines of the song express the singer's ultimate decision to end their misguided attempt to emulate their idol: "You make fool of me I fear / I'll have to end this now and here." In this way, "Idol" speaks to the universal struggle to reconcile our own sense of self-worth with the people and ideas we admire.
Line by Line Meaning
Your heart is like a shining light
The singer admires the pure and bright nature of their subject's heart
It's full of warmth and made to fight
The subject's heart is fiercely passionate and ready to take on whatever comes its way
Your model courage sets a mark
The subject's bravery and determination serves as an example for others to follow
It always guides me with it's shining in the dark
The subject's heart is a beacon of hope and helps the singer find their way through difficult times
Why can't I be the way you are
The singer wishes they had the same admirable qualities as the subject
For me you seem unreachable far
The singer feels that the subject's greatness is too far out of their reach to ever attain it
I wish that I could be like you
The singer longs to possess the same admirable traits as the subject
I only have to change name
The singer believes that changing their identity would make them closer to the subject's level of greatness
I will no longer be the same
The singer thinks that a new identity would also mean a new and improved sense of self
And everyone that starred at me
Those who once overlooked the singer will take notice of their transformation
Will asked forgiveness once they see
The singer expects others to ask for forgiveness for underestimating them
How could I ever be like you
Despite their efforts, the singer feels that they will never be able to achieve the same level of greatness as the subject
With all the wonders that you do
The subject's admirable qualities and actions are too numerous to count
You make fool of me I fear
The singer is worried that their attempts to emulate the subject will make them look foolish
I'll have to end this now and here
The singer decides to give up on trying to be like the subject and move on with their own life
Your words have weight and carry on
The subject's words hold significance and have lasting impact
You seem to think of everyone
The subject has a caring and considerate personality that takes into account the needs of others
This is how history is made
The subject's actions and qualities will go down in the record books
The more you shine the more I fade
The subject's brilliance makes the singer feel less significant in comparison
I feel unworthy out of place
The singer is overwhelmed by the subject's greatness and doesn't feel worthy of being in their presence
To me you are from outer space
The subject's greatness is on a level that feels otherworldly to the singer
And nothing that I say or do
The singer realizes that their attempts to be like the subject will never result in the same level of greatness
Will make me change make me to you
The singer understands that they can't become the subject and will need to find their own path in life
Writer(s): vasi vallis, henrik iversen
Contributed by Chloe Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.