… Read Full Bio ↴Rebekka Bakken is a Norwegian singer, now based in Vienna, Austria.
Her first solo album, The Art of How to Fall (2003) mixes styles, including pop, folk, jazz, and R&B.
Discography:
Daily Mirror (2001, with Wolfgang Muthspiel)
Beloved (2002, with Wolfgang Muthspiel)
Scattering Poems (2003, with Julia Hülsmann)
The Art Of How To Fall (2003)
Is That You? (2005)
I Keep My Cool (2006)
Morning Hours (2009)
September (2011)
Little Drop of Poison (2014)
* Official site
The Wrestler
Rebekka Bakken Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me
Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me can you ask for anything more?
Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me
Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Tell me can you ask for anything more?
Tell me can you ask for anything more?
These things that have comforted me, I drive away
This place that is my home I cannot stay
My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display
Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me
The Wrestler by Rebekka Bakken is a powerful song that talks about the struggles and pain that come with life, but it also celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. The lyrics begin with the image of a one-trick pony, a metaphor for someone who is stuck in a pattern of behavior and unable to break free. The singer then compares herself to a one-legged dog, a scarecrow filled with dust and wheat, and a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze. These are all images of beings that are imperfect and flawed, yet still able to persevere.
The chorus repeats the line "Then you've seen me," suggesting that the singer sees herself in all of these imperfect beings. She comes and stands at every door, always leaving with less than she had before. This line is indicative of the struggle she faces every day--no matter how much effort she puts in, she always ends up with less than she hoped for. However, she is undaunted and confident in her ability to make people smile, even amidst the pain and bloodshed.
The last verse introduces a touch of melancholy to the song. The singer talks about driving away things that have comforted her, and being unable to stay in the place that is her home. Her only faith lies in the broken bones and bruises she displays, perhaps a reference to the idea that her pain and struggles are what define her.
Overall, The Wrestler is a poignant and introspective song that celebrates human resilience, even in the face of extreme adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever seen a one trick pony in the field so happy and free?
Have you ever seen someone who is content with doing only one thing, but doing it with joy and freedom?
If you've ever seen a one trick pony then you've seen me
That person is me, I am someone who is limited in certain ways, but still finds happiness in what I can do.
Have you ever seen a one-legged dog making its way down the street?
Do you know what it's like to see someone struggling, but still pushing forward despite their challenges?
If you've ever seen a one-legged dog then you've seen me
That person is me, I am someone who faces tough challenges, but still refuses to give up.
Then you've seen me, I come and stand at every door
I am always present, knocking on every opportunity that comes my way.
Then you've seen me, I always leave with less than I had before
Even though I try my best, I often come up short and lose something along the way.
Then you've seen me, bet I can make you smile when the blood, it hits the floor
Despite facing difficulties, I have the ability to uplift others and make them happy.
Tell me can you ask for anything more?
Is there anything else you could ask for from a person like me, who continues to persevere despite the odds?
Have you ever seen a scarecrow filled with nothing but dust and wheat?
Have you ever seen something that looks empty and lifeless, lacking purpose or meaning?
If you've ever seen that scarecrow then you've seen me
That empty and lifeless thing is me, someone who struggles with finding purpose and meaning in life.
Have you ever seen a one-armed man punching at nothing but the breeze?
Have you ever seen someone who looks like they're fighting an invisible battle, but still fighting nonetheless?
If you've ever seen a one-armed man then you've seen me
That person is me, I am constantly battling against obstacles and challenges that seem insurmountable.
These things that have comforted me, I drive away
Sometimes the things that bring me comfort are also the things that hold me back, so I must let them go.
This place that is my home I cannot stay
Even though I have made a home somewhere, I know that I cannot stay in one place for too long.
My only faith's in the broken bones and bruises I display
The only thing that gives me hope and faith is the physical evidence of my struggles, the marks of my battles.
Have you ever seen a one-legged man trying to dance his way free?
Have you ever witnessed someone trying to break free from their limitations, despite the odds against them?
If you've ever seen a one-legged man then you've seen me
That person is me, constantly fighting to break free from the limitations that hold me back.
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.