A Star Is Bored
Paul Westerberg Lyrics
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And he calls out, "Where am I?"
He looks down from the heavens
And he's tired of the sky
Five hundred lonely years ago
He shone blue and bright
And it's killing him to know
In his room no one blesses
He undresses his award
To the moon he confesses,
"I'm going down there for sure"
A star is bored
He's dreaming in the valley
And he's shaking in the stream
He's shining in the alley
And they're kissing his golden feet
They ask him, "Are you famous?"
"You've answered that, you know"
They tell him he looks nervous
He says, "You look too close"
And the place where he's staying
Shoves his dinner in the hall
The number that he's dialing
He'll really want to call
He gets down and starts praying
Like they taught him, to the wall, "Oh, Lord"
A star is bored.
The lyrics of Paul Westerberg's song Star Is Bored speak to the struggles of fame and the pressures that come with it. The song portrays a jaded, lonely star who is longing for true connection and purpose, but is trapped by the public image that he has created. The opening lines set the tone, describing the star's disillusionment and confusion as he wakes up in the darkness and wonders about his place in the world. The star's frustration builds as he reflects on the past, remembering a time when he shone bright and blue, but now feels weighed down by the unrelenting gaze of his fans.
The second verse moves to a dream sequence that emphasizes the star's yearning for authenticity and human connection. He finds himself in a valley, a stream, and an alley, all familiar settings of human experience. Yet, even in these moments, the star is still seen and treated as a celebrity. People ask if he is famous, make him nervous with their scrutiny, and shove his dinner in the hall. The star is left feeling trapped and isolated, crying out to the Lord as he prays to the wall. In the end, the song suggests that the star is driven to find a way out of this empty existence.
Overall, the lyrics of Star Is Bored are a poignant commentary on the pressures of celebrity culture and the search for meaning and connection in a world where image often overshadows inner truth.
Line by Line Meaning
He gets up in the darkness
He wakes up in a state of confusion and disorientation, surrounded by darkness.
And he calls out, "Where am I?"
He vocalizes his confusion, unable to locate himself in time and space.
He looks down from the heavens
He observes the Earth from a celestial vantage point.
And he's tired of the sky
He has grown weary of his lofty existence, eager for change and excitement.
Five hundred lonely years ago
Centuries ago, he was a bright and vibrant force in the universe.
He shone blue and bright
He radiated a vivid blue color, illuminating the cosmos in a dazzling display.
And it's killing him to know
He is tormented by the knowledge that others are now witnessing the same spectacle without him.
That you're seeing it tonight
He acknowledges that individuals on Earth are currently witnessing the same sight he once embodied.
In his room no one blesses
He is isolated and lacking recognition in his personal space.
He undresses his award
He removes his accolades and honors, no longer seeing their value.
To the moon he confesses,
He reveals his innermost thoughts and emotions to the unresponsive celestial body.
"I'm going down there for sure"
He makes the decision to descend from his celestial status and experience life on Earth.
A star is bored
The star is experiencing ennui and restlessness in his current state.
He's dreaming in the valley
He is experiencing vivid, immersive fantasies in his mind.
And he's shaking in the stream
He is trembling with excitement and anticipation as he approaches his new life.
He's shining in the alley
He is standing out and attracting attention in places he never has before.
And they're kissing his golden feet
People are fawning over him and treating him as a celebrity.
They ask him, "Are you famous?"
People inquire about his identity and status, bewildered by his appearance.
"You've answered that, you know"
He has already affirmed his identity, recognizing the redundancy of the question.
They tell him he looks nervous
Others pick up on his anxiety and jitteriness.
He says, "You look too close"
He distances himself from others, feeling uncomfortable with their proximity and curiosity.
And the place where he's staying
The location where he is residing temporarily is not comfortable or welcoming.
Shoves his dinner in the hall
The establishment where he is staying delivers his food in a disrespectful and dismissive manner.
The number that he's dialing
He is attempting to contact someone who can provide guidance or advice.
He'll really want to call
He is desperate for answers and support.
He gets down and starts praying
He turns to religion for comfort and spirituality.
Like they taught him, to the wall, "Oh, Lord"
He follows scripted prayers and practices, speaking to an inanimate object in hopes of receiving divine guidance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind