Self Centered Blues
Natural Child Lyrics


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Daddy came down with a broken back
I don't believe he's gonna make it back
Momma went looking for something to do
And I'm left here with self-centered blues
They don't seem to go away

Should've saved my money when I was young
But I just kept looking for a bit of fun
Then the days went by and the years just flew
And I'm all caught in self-centered blues
They don't seem to go away

I sure made a lot of friends
And I watched a lot of good things come to an end
Without no water those seeds never grew
And I'm left here with self-centered blues

I had a friend, he lost track
He turned a corner and he didn't look back
Didn't check the signs, didn't see the road
Now the self-centered blues is all he knows
They don't seem to go away

Working hard makes me depressed
And I carry round thoughts that I don't address
Now the rain's coming in
Through the holes in my shoes




And I'm all caught up in self-centered blues
They don't seem to go away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Natural Child's song "Self Centered Blues" tell a story of personal struggles, regret, and the consequences of living a self-centered life.


In the first paragraph, the singer reveals that their father has suffered a broken back, suggesting a significant setback or hardship. The singer expresses doubt about their father's recovery and the overall hopelessness they feel in the situation. Meanwhile, their mother has seemingly abandoned them to pursue her own interests or distractions, leaving the singer to deal with their own feelings of self-centeredness. The repetition of the line "They don't seem to go away" implies a constant presence and persistence of these self-centered blues in the singer's life.


The second paragraph highlights the regret of not saving money when the singer was younger. Instead of prioritizing financial responsibility, they confess to seeking pleasure and fun. As time passes, the days turn into years, and the singer finds themselves trapped in the consequences of their self-indulgent choices. The self-centered blues are still ever-present, possibly compounded by the feeling of being stuck and unable to escape their consequences.


The third paragraph shifts the focus to the singer's social relationships. They admit to making many friends, but also witnessing the end of many positive experiences. The metaphor of seeds not growing without water suggests missed opportunities and the failure to invest in meaningful relationships. The self-centered blues persist, leaving the singer feeling alone and stuck.


The final paragraph delves into the singer's emotional state and mindset. They describe working hard as a source of depression, indicating a lack of fulfillment or satisfaction in their efforts. Carrying unresolved thoughts and emotions adds to their burden. The rain coming through the holes in their shoes symbolizes the difficulties and hardships they face, which they attribute to their self-centered nature. The final repetition of the line "They don't seem to go away" underscores the inescapable nature of these self-centered blues, suggesting a sense of resignation or acceptance of their circumstances.


Overall, the lyrics of "Self Centered Blues" explore the consequences and impact of living a self-centered life. The singer grapples with regret, loneliness, and a sense of being trapped, all while acknowledging the persistent presence of these self-centered blues in their life.


Line by Line Meaning

Daddy came down with a broken back
My father suffered a serious injury to his spine


I don't believe he's gonna make it back
I have doubts that he will fully recover


Momma went looking for something to do
My mother went in search of activities or purpose


And I'm left here with self-centered blues
As a result, I'm feeling overwhelmed by my own self-centeredness


They don't seem to go away
These feelings persist and don't fade easily


Should've saved my money when I was young
In hindsight, it would have been wise to save my money during my youth


But I just kept looking for a bit of fun
Instead, I constantly sought enjoyment and pleasure


Then the days went by and the years just flew
As time passed quickly, the years slipped away


And I'm all caught in self-centered blues
Now, I find myself trapped in a state of self-centeredness


They don't seem to go away
These feelings of self-centeredness persist and don't fade easily


I sure made a lot of friends
I certainly formed many friendships


And I watched a lot of good things come to an end
Yet, I witnessed numerous positive experiences conclude


Without no water those seeds never grew
Without proper nourishment or support, those promising beginnings never flourished


And I'm left here with self-centered blues
Consequently, I feel overwhelmed by my own self-centeredness


I had a friend, he lost track
I had a companion who became disconnected or lost


He turned a corner and he didn't look back
He made a decision to move forward without hesitation


Didn't check the signs, didn't see the road
He neglected to consider the warning signs or perceive the path ahead


Now the self-centered blues is all he knows
As a consequence, he is now intimately familiar with feelings of self-centeredness


They don't seem to go away
These feelings of self-centeredness persist and don't fade easily


Working hard makes me depressed
Engaging in strenuous labor causes me to feel deeply saddened


And I carry round thoughts that I don't address
I constantly carry unresolved thoughts that I fail to confront or deal with


Now the rain's coming in
Presently, rain is seeping through


Through the holes in my shoes
Due to the openings or weaknesses in my footwear


And I'm all caught up in self-centered blues
Consequently, I find myself entangled in feelings of self-centeredness


They don't seem to go away
These feelings of self-centeredness persist and don't fade easily




Contributed by Sebastian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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