I'm A Cuckoo
Ofln - Belle & Sebastian Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm glad to see you
I had a funny dream
You were wearing funny shoes
You were going to a dance
You were dressed like a punk but you are too young to remember

Glad to see you
I'm outside the house
I'm not thinking well today
I've got no energy
I'm glad that you are waiting with me
Tell me all about your day

Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been

I'm happy for you
You've made it hard for me
I counted on your company
You are staying with your friends tonight
I'm feeling sorry for myself
I keep taking everything to be a sign

I'm happy for you
Now I know this hurt is poison
Too sharp to be bled
I'm sitting on my empty bed
On my empty bed
At night the fever grows it's pounding pounding

I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh




Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo

Scary moment, lovin' every moment
I was high from playing shows
We lost a singer to her clothes
My trouble raised its ugly head
I was revealed
And I was home in bed
I was a kid again

Jesus told me, go after every coin like it was the last in the world
And protect the wayward child
But I'm a little lost sheep
I need my Bo Peep
I know I need My Shepherd here tonight

Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been

I'd like to see you
But really I should stay away
And let you settle down
I've got no claims to your crown
I was the boss of you
And I loved you
You know I loved you
It's all over now

I was there for you
When you were lonely
I was there when you were sad
I was there when you were bad
Now it's my time of need
I'm thinking, do I have to plead to get you by my side?

I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh
Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I'm A Cuckoo" by Belle & Sebastian convey a complex mix of emotions, reflections, and desires. The song opens with a nostalgic tone as the singer expresses gladness upon seeing someone and recounting a dream where the person was dressed in a quirky manner, likely symbolizing a sense of youthful rebellion and individuality. This imagery sets the stage for themes of memory, longing, and uncertainty throughout the song.


The singer then transitions to a more introspective tone, mentioning feeling out of sorts, lacking energy, and relying on the presence of the other person for comfort. This shift in mood hints at internal struggles and a sense of dependence on the other person for emotional support and stability. The lyrics touch on the complexities of relationships and dependencies, highlighting the vulnerability that can come with relying on others for validation and comfort.


As the song progresses, feelings of hurt and longing become more pronounced. The singer acknowledges the pain caused by the other person's actions and expresses sorrow for themselves, indicating a sense of betrayal or abandonment. The imagery of an "empty bed" suggests a profound sense of loneliness and heartache, emphasizing the emotional toll of the situation and the difficulty of moving on from a past relationship.


The repeated refrain of preferring to be in Tokyo and listening to Thin Lizzy, along with the self-aware acknowledgment of feeling like a "cuckoo," reinforces a sense of displacement and disconnection from one's surroundings. The lyrics convey a yearning for escape and a desire for a different reality, perhaps reflecting a desire to distance oneself from painful emotions and memories. Overall, "I'm A Cuckoo" paints a poignant portrait of love, loss, and longing, exploring the complexities of human emotions and the ache of unrequited affection.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm glad to see you
I'm happy to see you and be in your presence


I had a funny dream
I had an unusual dream


You were wearing funny shoes
You had on unique shoes in my dream


You were going to a dance
You were heading to a dance party


You were dressed like a punk but you are too young to remember
You were dressed like a rebel, but you're too young to have experienced that era


Scary moment, lovin' every moment
Experiencing a frightening moment while still finding joy in it


Breaking off is misery
Ending a relationship is heartbreaking


I see a wilderness for you and me
I see a challenging path ahead for both of us


Punctuated by philosophy
Interspersed with deep thoughts and reflections


And a wondering how things could've been
Thinking about how things might have turned out differently


There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo
Feeling like there's something off or different about me


Jesus told me, go after every coin like it was the last in the world
Inspired to pursue every opportunity as if it were precious


But I'm a little lost sheep, I need my Bo Peep
Feeling lost and in need of guidance and support


I know I need My Shepherd here tonight
I know I need someone to guide and comfort me tonight


I'd like to see you, but really I should stay away
I want to see you, but I know it's best for me to keep my distance


And let you settle down, I've got no claims to your crown
Allowing you to find peace and not trying to hold onto what I once had


I was the boss of you, and I loved you
I used to be in control of you, and I cared deeply for you


It's all over now
Our relationship has come to an end


I was there for you when you were lonely
I was by your side when you felt alone


I was there when you were sad
I supported you during your moments of sadness


I was there when you were bad
I stood by you even when you made mistakes


Now it's my time of need
Now I require support and help


I'm thinking, do I have to plead to get you by my side?
I'm wondering if I have to beg for your companionship




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB KILDEA, CHRISTOPHER GEDDES, MICHAEL COOKE, RICHARD COLBURN, SARAH MARTIN, STEPHEN JACKSON, STUART MURDOCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@infiimli2561

I'm glad to see you
I had a funny dream
You were wearing funny shoes
You were going to a dance
You were dressed like a punk but you are too young to remember

Glad to see you
I'm outside the house
I'm not thinking well today
I've got no energy
I'm glad that you are waiting with me
Tell me all about your day

Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been

I'm happy for you
You've made it hard for me
I counted on your company
You are staying with your friends tonight
I'm feeling sorry for myself
I keep taking everything to be a sign

I'm happy for you
Now I know this hurt is poison
Too sharp to be bled
I'm sitting on my empty bed
On my empty bed
At night the fever grows it's pounding pounding

I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh
Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo

Scary moment, lovin' every moment
I was high from playing shows
We lost a singer to her clothes
My trouble raised its ugly head
I was revealed
And I was home in bed
I was a kid again

Jesus told me, go after every coin like it was the last in the world
And protect the wayward child
But I'm a little lost sheep
I need my Bo Peep
I know I need My Shepherd here tonight

Breaking off is misery
I see a wilderness for you and me
Punctuated by philosophy
And a wondering how things could've been

I'd like to see you
But really I should stay away
And let you settle down
I've got no claims to your crown
I was the boss of you
And I loved you
You know I loved you
It's all over now

I was there for you
When you were lonely
I was there when you were sad
I was there when you were bad
Now it's my time of need
I'm thinking, do I have to plead to get you by my side?

I'd rather be in Tokyo
I'd rather listen to Thin Lizzy-oh
Watch the Sunday gang in Harajuku
There's something wrong with me, I'm a cuckoo



All comments from YouTube:

@ianmcarthur3919

Listening to this in July 2024. Superb song!

@DIY-wo1tr

Yeah me in august 2024. Love Thin Lizzy and really like this track and album of Belle Sebastian. Bought the lp around 2004 and really like the clip. Also to see Stuart Murdoch runninv ( who run as a teenager the marathon sub 3) is very cool.
About Phil lynott this musical hero should become 75 this month!🙏🏼

@winterwonderland7445

november 2024 here 👋

@backcombed2559

This is chicken soup for my soul,whenever I have the impending dark clouds hanging above me ,I come here and listen to Belle and Sebastian and the clouds start to clear,I think where I would be emotionally without Belle and Sebastian and teenage fanclub ,I'm proud to be Scottish ,love from sunny Edinburgh x

@Aphrobam

Same. Just last night, a horrible day...but on my way home, I felt better just by listening to them. Works every time. Tears and all, disappeared. Cheers from Greece!

@backcombed2559

@@Aphrobam thats it exactly i need not say it anymore than uv put it ,humbled you spoke ,peace RESPECT 2 U

@backcombed2559

@Dan Dugan ur a gem for your goodwill peace and love to you and yours thanks for that merry Xmas

@jasonbrooks1439

one love, nuff respect! Edinburgh is KINDA sunny... but not like here in Barbados 😀

@backcombed2559

@@jasonbrooks1439 respect Jason 😎

@greenwave819

every time my heart has truly bled, this has found me

More Comments

More Versions