The Ladder
Prince & The Revolution Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once upon a time in the land of Sin-aplenty
There lived a king who didn't deserve to be
He knew not where he came from
Nor where he was going
He never once said thank you, never please

Now this king he had a subject named Electra
Who loved him with a passion, uncontested
For him each day she had a smile
But it didn't matter
The king was looking for the ladder

Everybody's looking for the ladder
Everybody wants salvation of the soul
The steps you take are no easy road
But the reward is great
For those who want for go

A feeling of self-worth will caress you
The size of the whole wide world will decrease
The love of God's creation will undress you
And time spent alone my friend, will cease

Everybody's looking for the answers
How the story started and how it will end
What's the use in half a story, half a dream
You have to climb all of the steps in between (yeah, we ride)

Everybody's looking for the ladder
Everybody wants salvation of the soul
The steps you take are no easy road
But the reward is great
For those who want to go (I do)

Everybody, everybody's looking (Everybody's looking for the answers)
For the answers
Everybody wants to know how the story (How the story started)
Started and how it will end (started and how it will end)
What's the use in half a story, (What's the use in half a story)
Half a dream (half of a dream)
You, you gotta climb, you gotta climb (you have to climb all)
All of the steps in between (the steps in between)

Everybody
Everybody's looking for that ladder (Everybody's looking for the ladder)
Everybody wants salvation of the soul (Everybody wants salvation of the soul)
The steps you take are no easy road (the steps you take are no easy road)
But the reward is great (the reward is great)
For those who want to go, (for those who want to go)
Those who want to go

Everybody, everybody wants (Everybody's looking for the answers)
An answer
Anyone who know how the story (How the story started)
Started, how it will end (started and how it will end)




Will it be lonely in the world (What's the use in half a story)
What's the use? (half of a dream)

Overall Meaning

The Ladder by Prince and The Revolution is a song that tells the story of a king who didn't deserve his position and a subject named Electra who loved him deeply but went unnoticed. The king was constantly searching for something, and the ladder symbolizes his search for salvation of the soul. The lyrics imply that everybody is searching for the ladder or the path to transcendence. It's not an easy road, but the rewards are great, providing a feeling of self-worth, connectedness to God's creation, and an end to loneliness.


The song's message is about the human search for self-actualization and transcendence. The lyrics point out that it's a long and difficult path that requires a lot of work and sacrifice. The reward, however, is significant, providing a sense of purpose, self-worth, and a deeper connection with the world.


Line by Line Meaning

Once upon a time in the land of Sin-aplenty
Let me tell you a story about a certain place


There lived a king who didn't deserve to be
In that place there was a king who was unworthy


He knew not where he came from
He didn't know his origins


Nor where he was going
He had no idea about his destination


He never once said thank you, never please
He was ungrateful and impolite


Now this king he had a subject named Electra
There was a person named Electra who served as his subject


Who loved him with a passion, uncontested
She had a deep, unconditional love for him


For him each day she had a smile
She greeted him with joy every day


But it didn't matter
However, her actions had little effect


The king was looking for the ladder
The king was seeking something more


Everybody's looking for the ladder
Everyone is searching for fulfillment


Everybody wants salvation of the soul
Each person desires to find peace within themselves


The steps you take are no easy road
The journey to inner peace is a difficult one


But the reward is great
However, the outcome is worth it


For those who want to go
For people who are truly committed


A feeling of self-worth will caress you
You will experience a sense of value and worthiness


The size of the whole wide world will decrease
The world will seem smaller and more manageable


The love of God's creation will undress you
You will see and appreciate the beauty of the natural world


And time spent alone my friend, will cease
Isolation and loneliness will come to an end


Everybody's looking for the answers
People search for explanations and meaning


How the story started and how it will end
They want to understand the beginning and conclusion


What's the use in half a story, half a dream
However, incomplete knowledge is useless


You have to climb all of the steps in between
It is necessary to work hard and take all the steps


Everybody wants to know how the story started and how it will end
People crave for knowledge of the past and future


What's the use in half a story, half a dream
Incomplete information has little value


You, you gotta climb, you gotta climb
You have to work extra hard


All of the steps in between
In order to achieve inner peace


Everybody wants an answer
Everyone wants explanations


Anyone who know how the story started, how it will end
Those who know the beginning and end


Will it be lonely in the world
Will one be alone in the world


What's the use?
What is the point?




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John L. Nelson, Prince Rogers Nelson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions