Opening
Original Broadway / Off-Broadway Casts of Hair Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jenna! What's the special pie today?
Uh, deep shit blueberry bacon
Deep shit?
Ye- uh, dish! Deep dish. Sorry, Cal!
C'mon, girl

The day starts like the rest we've seen
Another carbon copy of an old routine
Days keep coming
One out, one in
They keep coming
And make the coffee strong enough to chew!

I don't know what I wish I had
But there's no time now for thinking things like that
We've got too much to do
Too much to do

All these same things
We're always

Opening up
Letting the day in
Over a cup
We'll say "hello, how ya been?"
Looking around
Seeing the same things
Every day brings
"Hello, how ya been?"
"Thank you, come again!"
Some things never change

I wouldn't call this place a happy end
But I been 'round the block and just came back again
A small town like ours ain't much
But sometimes home is where your ass ends up

Order up!

Ordered up is how the day will find me
Everything in its place and time
And I like the way most of the days look exactly the same

Order up!

Check the clock
Tick, tick tock

Don't stop!
Serve with a smile!

Hurry up, fill the coffee cup
And then in a while
Take a breath when you need to be reminded that with days like these
We can only do the best we can
'Til we do it again

Come on, move it now!

Opening up
Letting the day in
Opening up
Some things never change
"Hello, how ya been?"




"Thank you, come again!"
Some things never change

Overall Meaning

The lyrics from the song "Opening" by Original Broadway / Off-Broadway Casts of Hair capture the monotonous yet familiar routine of a day in the life of working at a small town diner. The first part of the song is a humorous interaction between Jenna and Cal, discussing a unique pie flavor ("deep shit blueberry bacon") that turns out to be a mistake for "deep dish." This light-hearted banter sets the tone of the normalcy and camaraderie found in the mundane tasks of the day.


The second part of the lyrics delves into the repetitive nature of the days in this small town, highlighting the feeling of being stuck in a cycle of work and routine. The lyrics express a sense of resignation and acceptance of the unchanging nature of the environment, with the singer acknowledging that there is no time for contemplating different possibilities or desires.


Despite the routine and sameness of each day, there is a sense of community and familiarity in the diner as patrons come in and out, exchanging greetings and small talk. The repetition of phrases like "hello, how ya been?" and "thank you, come again!" emphasizes the cyclical nature of life in this setting and the comfort found in the routine interactions with regular customers.


The song also touches on the idea of home and belonging, hinting that even though the small town diner may not be a perfect or glamorous place, it is where the characters feel a sense of familiarity and belonging. The lyrics reflect on the idea that sometimes, home is not necessarily where one chooses to be, but where circumstances lead them back to, embracing the idea that home is where your journey ends.


Overall, "Opening" paints a picture of the bittersweet nature of routine and the comforts found in the familiar, showcasing the resilience and camaraderie of the characters as they navigate the everyday challenges of their lives. The song captures the essence of finding contentment and purpose in the simplicity and repetitive nature of everyday tasks, highlighting the idea that even in the most mundane moments, there is a sense of warmth and connection.


Line by Line Meaning

Jenna! What's the special pie today?
Hey Jenna! What delicious pie are we serving today?


Uh, deep shit blueberry bacon
Uh, deep dish blueberry bacon pie


Deep shit?
Deep dish?


Ye- uh, dish! Deep dish. Sorry, Cal!
Yes- uh, I meant dish! Deep dish. Sorry, Cal!


C'mon, girl
Let's get going, girl


The day starts like the rest we've seen
Today begins just like every other day we've experienced


Another carbon copy of an old routine
A recurring pattern in our daily lives


Days keep coming
The days keep passing by


One out, one in
One day ends, another begins


They keep coming
They keep arriving


And make the coffee strong enough to chew!
And the coffee is so strong it's almost chewable!


I don't know what I wish I had
I'm not sure what I desire


But there's no time now for thinking things like that
But there's no time to ponder such things


We've got too much to do
We have a lot on our plate


Too much to do
An overwhelming amount of tasks


All these same things
All these familiar routines


We're always
We are constantly


Opening up
Starting the day


Letting the day in
Embracing what the day brings


Over a cup
While sipping coffee


We'll say 'hello, how ya been?'
We greet each other with 'hello, how have you been?'


Looking around
Observing our surroundings


Seeing the same things
Noticing the familiar sights


Every day brings
Each day presents


'Hello, how ya been?'
'Hello, how have you been?'


'Thank you, come again!'
'Thank you, please return!'


Some things never change
Certain aspects remain constant


I wouldn't call this place a happy end
This may not be the ideal destination


But I been 'round the block and just came back again
Despite exploring elsewhere, I returned here


A small town like ours ain't much
Our small town doesn't offer much


But sometimes home is where your ass ends up
Sometimes you end up back where you started


Order up!
An order is ready!


Ordered up is how the day will find me
Organized and ready for the day ahead


Everything in its place and time
All tasks completed on schedule


And I like the way most of the days look exactly the same
I appreciate the consistency in each day


Check the clock
Make sure to keep track of time


Tick, tick tock
The sound of the ticking clock


Don't stop!
Keep going!


Serve with a smile!
Always maintain a friendly attitude


Hurry up, fill the coffee cup
Quickly refill the coffee cup


And then in a while
Eventually


Take a breath when you need to be reminded that with days like these
Remember to pause and breathe during busy days


We can only do the best we can
We must do our best under the circumstances


'Til we do it again
Until the next time


Come on, move it now!
Let's get moving!


Some things never change
Certain aspects remain constant




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sara Bareilles

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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