When Your Garden's Overgrown
Paul Weller Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bobby's off on holiday
Away across the sea
Setting up his easel
A new scene to see
Says that he's had enough
Of standing in the rain
Now he's looking for the good life
With European pain
Did you know
Your garden's overgrown
And what is shown?
Meeting all these pretty girls
Singing golden hair
He's in touch with the painter's mind
And Syd's unflinching stare
Drinking wine in the Moulin Rouge
Sipping kaffee in Berlin
Might take in the colored lights
In the city they call sin

He could see
The writing on the wall
Ten feet tall
But oh there are times
He wished the world
Would fade just into sight
And oh, the feelings that changed
Were thicker than the brush
Strokes of fame
Now he rides the dirt roads
Of old southern Spain
And when senoritas sing
He can hear them say
Did you know
Your garden's overgrown
And what is shown?
He could see




The writing on the wall
Ten feet tall

Overall Meaning

In the opening verses of Paul Weller's song "When Your Garden's Overgrown," we find Bobby heading off on holiday to find some new inspiration for his painting. He's looking for a change and is tired of standing in the rain. He's also looking for the good life, seeking a new perspective with European pain. In the chorus, listeners are told that their garden is overgrown and that they should take note of what is being shown.


The song then goes on to describe Bobby's adventures as he travels through Europe, meeting pretty girls and drinking wine in the Moulin Rouge or sipping kaffee in Berlin. He's in touch with the painter's mind and can relate to Syd's unflinching stare. Although he can see the "writing on the wall," indicating that he knows where things are headed, sometimes he wishes that the world would just fade away.


Line by Line Meaning

Bobby's off on holiday
Bobby is away on vacation


Away across the sea
He went to another country


Setting up his easel
He is preparing to paint


A new scene to see
He is exploring new landscapes


Says that he's had enough
He is tired of a situation


Of standing in the rain
He is tired of being wet


Now he's looking for the good life
He is searching for a better lifestyle


With European pain
He is dealing with European struggles


Did you know
Were you aware


Your garden's overgrown
Your life is out of control


And what is shown?
What evidence is there?


Meeting all these pretty girls
He is meeting attractive women


Singing golden hair
Her hair is blonde and beautiful


He's in touch with the painter's mind
He understands an artist's thought process


And Syd's unflinching stare
A reference to Syd Barrett's piercing look


Drinking wine in the Moulin Rouge
He is drinking wine at a famous cabaret in Paris


Sipping kaffee in Berlin
He is drinking coffee in Berlin


Might take in the colored lights
He might enjoy the vibrant city lights


In the city they call sin
Describing a place known for immoral activities


He could see
He was able to perceive


The writing on the wall
He understood what was going to happen


Ten feet tall
A metaphor for something being significant


But oh there are times
Although there are moments


He wished the world
He desired the world


Would fade just into sight
He wanted the world to blend and fade away


And oh, the feelings that changed
Emotions underwent a transformation


Were thicker than the brush
The emotions were profound


Strokes of fame
Becoming famous


Now he rides the dirt roads
He travels on dusty roads


Of old southern Spain
Traversing past Spain's history


And when senoritas sing
Thereabouts when ladies sing


He can hear them say
He hears them talking




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL JOHN WELLER, SIMON DINE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

KANGER MINUS the G

Brilliant classic underated song.......weller at is best..

RNS3365

Paul Weller keeps evolving and achieves a great result at every turn. Very cool song! Hope he makes it to Chapel Hill or Raleigh.

Mick Carlon

Shine on, Syd. Weller's creativity is as deep as the Pacific Ocean.

busterkeatonsbriefs

This is fantastic :D

Paul Desca

Love it.

d w

Fine song ✌️

Antony

I found out today that this is a made up story of Syd Barrett's life if he hadn't have become a musician :)

Martin Mcdonald

Classic weller...

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