Fame Throwa
Pavement Lyrics


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Fame throwa pass out the gold, the diamond
Watch, the last reward, all the things we had
Before you sold us out and took it all
Head-borne cries from zenith sluts, astral

Rites from dead-end ruts
These kids are sick-end wars
"One of the nation's spies
One of our first recruits

Click with her leather thighs
One of our first recruits"
How can you know? In the distance lies
A grower, nee rode off, king fame throwa

Son of groupie, red-worn sexan, spent his
Cash convincing us that the desert was
A starscape and sold our lives for a
Satellite so we could cry





"Naked, naked foul"

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Pavement's song "Fame Throwa" delve into the idea of selling out and the cost of fame. Stephen Malkmus, the lead singer and songwriter for Pavement, seems to be questioning the value of success when it comes at the expense of one's integrity. The opening lines "Fame throwa pass out the gold, the diamond / Watch, the last reward, all the things we had / Before you sold us out and took it all" paint a picture of someone who has achieved fame and fortune but has also lost something along the way. The use of the word "sold" implies a transaction, as if something was given up in exchange for fame.


As the song progresses, Malkmus plays with imagery and metaphors to create a sense of disillusionment with the idea of fame. The line "Head-borne cries from zenith sluts, astral / Rites from dead-end ruts" suggests that those who are seeking fame are both heavenly and lowly at the same time. The lines "These kids are sick-end wars / 'One of the nation's spies / One of our first recruits" could be interpreted as a commentary on the militarization of the entertainment industry. The notion of being a "spy" or a "recruit" implies a kind of subterfuge or manipulation.


Line by Line Meaning

Fame throwa pass out the gold, the diamond
Fame thrower distributed wealth and expensive things.


Watch, the last reward, all the things we had Before you sold us out and took it all.
You took everything from us after we trusted you and gave you everything we had.


Head-borne cries from zenith sluts, astral
The prostitutes above scream and cry.


Rites from dead-end ruts.
A meaningless ritual that serves no true purpose.


These kids are sick-end wars
These young people are tired of fighting.


"One of the nation's spies. One of our first recruits. Click with her leather thighs One of our first recruits."
She was a spy who seduced people to join their cause.


How can you know? In the distance lies A grower, nee rode off, king fame throwa
How can you know that Fame throwa is really gone and not just hiding or planning another scheme?


Son of groupie, red-worn sexan: spent his Cash convincing us that the desert was A starscape and sold our lives for a Satellite so we could cry:
Fame throwa, son of a groupie and a worn-out stripper, convinced us to believe in a false promise and sold us out for his own gain.


"Naked, naked foul"
We have been left completely exposed and vulnerable.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Scott Kannberg, Stephen Joseph Malkmus

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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