Out of Sight
Paul Mc Cartney/Youth Lyrics


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I've dubbed myself a martyr
Those sixties dreams in colour
Always offered front row centre

We've all felt welcome
Institutions telling me something different
It's persistence.
Our distance. For instance.

You turned up the gain
You told lies but you won't lie to my face
I'll take all the blame
If it gets me out of the rain
I'm locked out of the gate
Your spare key is gone from it's usual place.
But I'll take the blame if it gets me inside and safe.

Your dreams retreating
Been told your life it was right
Working, repeating
Subordination without a fight

While you're refusing to season.
and it's all said and done.
Look who's hairlines receding
and are you just having fun?

Out of sight at the crack of dawn again
We've reached a dead end. I think we've reached a dead end.




Retrace the familiar steps of my old man
We've reached a dead end. I think we've reached a dead end.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Out of Sight" by Paul McCartney/Youth paint a picture of someone who is struggling with their past and their present circumstances. The opening line, "I've dubbed myself a martyr," suggests that the singer sees themselves as someone who has endured great suffering for a cause. The reference to "sixties dreams in colour" seems to harken back to a time of idealism and hope, while "always offered front row centre" suggests that the singer has always been at the forefront of change.


Despite this, the singer feels alienated from mainstream society, as "institutions telling me something different" create a sense of discord. The lines "It's persistence. Our distance. For instance" imply that the singer is pushing back against something or someone, possibly in an effort to reclaim their identity.


The second verse continues with the theme of feeling isolated and misunderstood. The line "You turned up the gain" suggests that someone is manipulating the situation to their advantage, while "You told lies but you won't lie to my face" implies that the singer is savvy enough to see through these falsehoods. In the following lines, the singer seems to be willing to take the blame for something, even if it means enduring hardship, as long as they can find a way back to a place of comfort and safety.


The final verse of the song seems to be an indictment of a culture that values conformity over individuality. The lines "While you're refusing to season" and "Subordination without a fight" suggest that people are willing to sacrifice their unique qualities in order to fit into a prescribed mold. The refrain "We've reached a dead end" reinforces the idea that things are not working as they should, and the final line, "Retrace the familiar steps of my old man," suggests a desire to break away from these patterns and forge a new path.


Line by Line Meaning

I've dubbed myself a martyr
I've given myself a label of being a martyr, sacrificing myself for others.


Those sixties dreams in colour
Nostalgia for the colorful ideals of the 1960s and the dream of a better world.


Always offered front row centre
The opportunity to be fully involved and leading the way.


We've all felt welcome
Everyone has felt included and accepted.


Institutions telling me something different
Established systems trying to push a different message.


It's persistence. Our distance. For instance.
Sticking to what we believe in while keeping our distance from opposing views.


You turned up the gain
You increased the intensity or volume, possibly in a manipulative way.


You told lies but you won't lie to my face
You are not being honest, but at least you're not lying directly to me.


I'll take all the blame
I'm willing to take responsibility for something, even if it's not completely my fault.


If it gets me out of the rain
If it helps me avoid a negative situation or consequence.


I'm locked out of the gate
I'm prevented from accessing something I want or need.


Your spare key is gone from its usual place
The normal solution or workaround is not available.


But I'll take the blame if it gets me inside and safe.
I'll take responsibility for something if it helps me achieve my desired outcome.


Your dreams retreating
Your hopes and aspirations are receding or diminishing.


Been told your life it was right
You've been convinced that your way of living is correct or prescribed.


Working, repeating
Going through the motions and doing the same thing over and over again.


Subordination without a fight
Being submissive or obedient without questioning or standing up for oneself.


While you're refusing to season.
You're stubbornly refusing to improve or evolve.


And it's all said and done.
After everything has been considered or accomplished.


Look who's hairline's receding
Making a humorous observation about someone's hair loss, possibly as a sign of aging.


And are you just having fun?
Questioning if someone is truly enjoying themselves or just going through the motions.


Out of sight at the crack of dawn again
Disappearing without a trace early in the morning.


We've reached a dead end. I think we've reached a dead end.
We've come to a point where we can't progress or advance any further.


Retrace the familiar steps of my old man
Going back to try and replicate something that has been done before by someone else.




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: BRENDAN PILON, DEVON CLEARY, EDUARDO FONSECA ARRAES, JACOB ROBERT SARAY, JARED ZUCKERMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@marielyavila1935

No se cómo tremenda joya no fue tan conocida 😢 amo está canción desde que salió ha sido de mis favoritas

@TaTomakesmusic

This is such an iconic collaboration for Electronic Music. The fact that we have Paul McCartney singing on an Electronic Music record alone is the most amazing thing on Earth 🙏🏽

@flashvanslyer

This is how dubstep should be, it is a pity that there is very little of this kind of music in this genre. Just awesome!

@xunkownx499

This video is exactly 10 years ahead it’s time in terms of production value and contemporary concept. Even this style of dubstep ahead of it’s time, and Paul somehowknew it. Incredible!

@depredatox6280

2022 y hay personas que todavía no han escuchado esta obra de arte.

@patriciasalopek7614

Paul's vocals are so cool.

@user-sh3zt4nl2d

And the bloody beetroots instrumental is so cool! I love this rock

@PronghornProtagonist

I love this video. Especially how you never see Paul, just a projection.
It's anticipating to see if you actually see him sing. You never do. He sings when he's out of sight.

@josemunozroman24

These guys are so underrated

@BasedSemp

Understatement

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