When Your Garden's Overgrown
Paul Weller Lyrics
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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
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
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
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...