Paul Westerberg (born December 31, 1959) is an American musician from Minne… Read Full Bio ↴Paul Westerberg (born December 31, 1959) is an American musician from Minneapolis, best known as the former lead singer and songwriter of The Replacements, one of the seminal alternative rock bands of the 1980s. Since The Replacements broke up in 1991, Westerberg has recorded several solo albums under his own name as well as the moniker Grandpaboy, and written songs for movies including Singles and Open Season. Westerberg has one son.

WILD
Paul Westerberg Lyrics

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Well, I swear last night
Baby, I rose another yard
Yeah, I swear last night
Baby, I rose another yard

Did you ever think
That you'll ever need?
By the evening

You'll want the national guard

'Cause I'm wild and lethal
A mile deep, though
There ain't no bank that
Can hold me back

I'm wild and lethal
A mile deep, though
A river runs over
Whatever it wants

Shootin' the breeze, baby
Just like a common thief
We just shootin' the breeze now, baby
Just like a common thief

I get you everything you ever need
But by this evening
You're gonna want some relief

'Cause I'm wild and lethal
I'm a mile deep, though
There ain't a bank that
Can hold me back

I'm wild and lethal
I'm a mile deep, though
When a river runs it
Goes wherever it wants

And I'm wild

Baby, I'm already
Way up to your knees
Get your sandbags
Go on, call your police
Do you no good!

I'm wild and lethal
I'm a mile deep, though
There ain't a bank that
Can hold me back

'Cause I'm wild and lethal
I'm a mile deep, though
There ain't a bank that
Can hold me back

Yes, I'm wild and lethal
I'm a mile deep, though
When a river runs,
It runs wherever it wants

I'm flowing down

Overall Meaning

In "Wild," Paul Westerberg sings about his wild and untamable nature. He talks about how he rose another yard last night and how he is a mile deep. He says that there is no bank that can hold him back, as he is wild and lethal. He compares himself to a river that goes wherever it wants, and it is unstoppable.

The lyrics can be interpreted metaphorically, with Westerberg possibly referring to his own personality, which is free-spirited and doesn't conform to the norms of society. He's like a river that doesn't follow a pre-determined path, but instead flows wherever it wants, and cannot be controlled.

The phrase "shootin' the breeze" is an idiom that means to chat or make small talk, and the line "Just like a common thief" indicates that he is indulging in idle chatter even though it does not lead to anything productive. He tells his lover that he can provide her with everything she needs, but eventually, she will want some relief from his wildness.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I swear last night Baby, I rose another yard Yeah, I swear last night Baby, I rose another yard
Last night I made some progress, it feels like I've grown and achieved more. I believe I can go further and exceed my expectations.

Did you ever think That you'll ever need? By the evening You'll want the national guard
Have you ever imagined what you truly want? Because by the end of the day, you're going to need strong protection to manage the chaos.

'Cause I'm wild and lethal A mile deep, though There ain't no bank that Can hold me back
I am untamed and dangerous, going deeper and further than anyone thought possible. No obstacle can stop me from doing what I want to do.

I'm wild and lethal A mile deep, though A river runs over Whatever it wants
I am volatile and deadly, with the ability to overcome any obstacle. A river is similar to me in that it can flow wherever it wants, and nothing can hold it back.

Shootin' the breeze, baby Just like a common thief We just shootin' the breeze now, baby Just like a common thief
We're just talking casually, getting to know each other like we're old friends. We're just having a regular conversation like two ordinary people would.

I get you everything you ever need But by this evening You're gonna want some relief
I can provide you with anything you may need, but soon enough you'll need some time away to relax and escape from the chaos.

'Cause I'm wild and lethal I'm a mile deep, though There ain't a bank that Can hold me back
I am dangerous and untamable, going far beyond what anyone thought was possible. Even banks, the ultimate symbol of stability, can't stop me from doing what I want.

When a river runs it Goes wherever it wants
Like a river, I have no set path and can go wherever I want without any limitations or restrictions.

And I'm wild Baby, I'm already Way up to your knees Get your sandbags Go on, call your police Do you no good!
I am unstoppable and already too far gone for anyone to contain me. You can try and stop me, but it'll be useless and you'll only make things worse.

Yes, I'm wild and lethal I'm a mile deep, though When a river runs, It runs wherever it wants I'm flowing down
I am a force to be reckoned with, with immense power and an unstoppable drive. Like a river, I can go anywhere I want and am constantly moving forward.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: PAUL WESTERBERG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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