Pantomime
Noah Bouchard Lyrics
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Or maybe I've been stuck in front of traffic lights
Running rings around a roundabout
And everybody begging for a shout me out
I'm still sitting in a traffic jam
Cos I ain't built for living in the fast lane
Still wanna get my mark made
Feel like I'm stuck up in a pantomime
Where the goodies hold the bragging rights
And I find myself in Centre stage
All I wanted was to have a life
But I don't wanna find an alibi
So all that I can say is just a hi and bye
Sit alone and maybe time will fly
Swiping right and typing chat up lines
Go to uni I'm in second year
I don't think I've ever left my second gear
Hood up head down when I'm on road
Cos I don't wanna stumble over pot holes
How does she believe well only God knows
I'm impressed I'm running with a blocked nose
Cold out when the sun's in
And the public only read what's on the front print
Feel like I'm stuck up in a pantomime
And the villain he behind me
Always wanna put me on my heine
If we get it right they write a Time piece
If they buy then I might buy a timepiece
And dance all for the lights until it blinds me
For now I'm back stage with the stage fright
And everybody else can have a great night
And if they get a cue then they all boo
And if they read the card then they all laugh
What if this life? Was just a set up?
Crash half way and buy a sports car
Keep revising all our lectures
And don't we ever ask a question
First rule of the pantomime
Pantomimes don't work without acceptance
And I accept it
Warming my chords drinking lemsip
Audience make applause and they exit
Then we all just a name on a checklist
And they flexing living in a bedsit
If they look good feeling good gets neglected
I wanna smash glass break doors, get arrested
But instead I'm a chill and watch Netflix
Adrenaline rush to my head, it's
Like I'm living with a death wish
So far I've struggled for direction
But I'm going out hard like it's Brexit
Feel like I'm stuck up in a pantomime
Pressure got me feeling like the worst act
Stunt for the public click clack
Blow my brains on stage like I'm Birdman
Noah Bouchard's song "Pantomime" is a reflection on the cyclical nature of life, and the feeling of being stuck in a repetitive routine. The song is introspective, focusing on the artist's experience of feeling trapped, both emotionally and physically. The lyrics describe the feeling of being stuck in a traffic jam, using this as a metaphor for being stuck in life. The artist wants to make his mark but is unwilling to put himself in harm's way, creating an internal conflict that causes frustration.
The artist also touches on the idea of performance, comparing life to a pantomime, where everyone has a role to play. The artist finds himself playing the lead role, feeling pressure to perform and receive recognition from others. He reflects on the fact that if he gets it right, he'll receive praise, but if he gets it wrong, he'll be booed offstage. The fear of failure causes anxiety, creating a sense of stage fright.
Despite feeling trapped, the artist also expresses a desire to break free from the routine and live life to the fullest. He wants to smash glass and break doors, but ultimately chooses to watch Netflix instead, highlighting the internal struggle between wanting to live life fully and the fear of failure and harm. The song ends with the artist contemplating blowing his brains out on stage, suggesting that the pressure to perform and succeed has become too much for him to bear.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel like I'm stuck up in a pantomime
Feeling trapped in a theatrical performance where I can't escape
Or maybe I've been stuck in front of traffic lights
Possibly just stuck in a never-ending wait, going nowhere fast
Running rings around a roundabout
Going round in circles, never making progress
And everybody begging for a shout me out
Everyone wants attention and recognition
I'm still sitting in a traffic jam
I'm still waiting, going nowhere fast
Cos I ain't built for living in the fast lane
I feel like I can't keep up with the fast-paced lifestyle of others
Still wanna get my mark made
I still want to make my own impression
But I don't wanna put myself in harm's way
I don't want to risk my well-being to succeed
Where the goodies hold the bragging rights
The ones who appear good always get praised
And I find myself in Centre stage
I'm the main focus of attention
All I wanted was to have a life
I just wanted to live my life normally
But I don't wanna find an alibi
I don't want to make excuses for myself
So all that I can say is just a hi and bye
I don't have much to say or do
Sit alone and maybe time will fly
I often isolate myself and time seems to pass quickly
Swiping right and typing chat up lines
I'm trying to connect with others through social media apps
Go to uni I'm in second year
I'm currently attending university and in my second year of study
I don't think I've ever left my second gear
I feel stagnant, like I'm not making any progress
Hood up head down when I'm on road
I keep to myself when I'm out in public, trying to avoid attention
Cos I don't wanna stumble over pot holes
I don't want to make any mistakes or missteps
How does she believe well only God knows
I'm not sure how someone likes me, it seems like a mystery
I'm impressed I'm running with a blocked nose
I'm surprised that despite my physical discomfort, I'm still able to function
Cold out when the sun's in
I feel disconnected when everyone else seems to be thriving
And the public only read what's on the front print
People only see the surface level, they don't take the time to understand deeper meanings
And the villain he behind me
There's always someone following me, trying to bring me down
Always wanna put me on my heine
They want to see me fail, causing me to fall back
If we get it right they write a Time piece
If I succeed, only then will people pay attention to me and write about me
If they buy then I might buy a timepiece
If others invest in me, I might see myself as worthwhile as well
And dance all for the lights until it blinds me
I might become blinded and lose myself in the spotlight
For now I'm back stage with the stage fright
I'm not ready to step into the spotlight, I'm too scared
And everybody else can have a great night
Other people can have their fun, I'll just sit this one out
And if they get a cue then they all boo
The audience can be fickle, they'll turn on you in an instant
And if they read the card then they all laugh
People can be cruel and mock you, even when you're trying your best
What if this life? Was just a set up?
What if everything is predetermined and I have no control over my own destiny?
Crash half way and buy a sports car
I might fail halfway through and try to make myself feel better by indulging in luxury
Keep revising all our lectures
I'm studying constantly, trying to keep up with my coursework
And don't we ever ask a question
But I never stop to wonder if there's more to life
First rule of the pantomime
The most important rule of the show
Pantomimes don't work without acceptance
The show won't succeed without the audience's approval
And I accept it
I accept the truth behind this rule
Warming my chords drinking lemsip
I'm taking care of myself physically, trying to prevent illness
Audience make applause and they exit
After the show, the audience leaves and forgets about me
Then we all just a name on a checklist
We're just names on a list of performers
And they flexing living in a bedsit
Other people seem to be living better lives, even when they don't have much
If they look good feeling good gets neglected
Appearances can be deceiving, people might not be as happy as they seem
I wanna smash glass break doors, get arrested
Sometimes I feel like I want to rebel, act out against expectations
But instead I'm a chill and watch Netflix
But more often than not, I just relax and watch TV to escape reality
Adrenaline rush to my head, it's
I get excited and carried away
Like I'm living with a death wish
I feel like I'm constantly putting myself in risky situations
So far I've struggled for direction
I don't know what I want for my future
But I'm going out hard like it's Brexit
But regardless of my confusion, I'm determined to face anything head-on
Pressure got me feeling like the worst act
The stress is making me doubt my own abilities
Stunt for the public click clack
Trying to impress others, constantly seeking validation
Blow my brains on stage like I'm Birdman
I might have a public breakdown and lose control of myself
Writer(s): Dominic Noah Watson
Contributed by Declan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.