Punky
Simon & Garfunkel Lyrics


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Wish I was a Kellogg's Cornflake
Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
Talkin' to a raisin who 'caisson'ly plays L.A.,
Casually glancing at his toupee.

Wish I was an English muffin
'Bout to make the most out of a toaster.

I'd ease myself down,
Comin' up brown.

I prefer boysenberry
More than any ordinary jam.
I'm a "Citizens for Boysenberry Jam" fan.

Ah, South California.

If I become a first lieutenant
Would you put my photo on your piano?
To Maryjane
Best wishes, Martin.
(Old Roger draft-dodger
Leavin' by the basement door),




Everybody knows what he's
Tippy-toeing down there for

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Punky's Dilemma" exude a sense of escapism from the mundanity of everyday life. The song describes three scenarios where the singer wishes he was someone or something else. The first stanza has the singer longing to be a Kellogg's Cornflake, as they float around in milk and enjoy the simple life while taking in the raisin's nonchalant attitude. The second stanza discusses the singer's wishes of becoming an English muffin, and he describes the satisfaction of being toasted to perfection. In the final stanza, the singer contemplates joining the army and fantasizes about whether the woman he loves would proudly display his picture on her piano. However, he ends the verse on an uncertain note as he mentions "Old Roger" who is a draft-dodger tiptoeing down the basement door, indicating the conflicting emotions of patriotism and anti-war sentiments during the Vietnam War.


Line by Line Meaning

Wish I was a Kellogg's Cornflake
I wish I could be simple and carefree like a cornflake floating in a bowl.


Floatin' in my bowl takin' movies,
I'd just be observing the world like a carefree cornflake floating in a bowl, taking it all in.


Relaxin' awhile, livin' in style,
I would live a luxurious life, relaxing and indulging in comfort for a while.


Talkin' to a raisin who 'caisson'ly plays L.A.,
I could casually chat with a laid-back raisin who only plays LA, and have a good time doing so.


Casually glancing at his toupee.
I'd take a casual glance at his toupee, not caring about the trivial details of life.


Wish I was an English muffin
I wish I was something that could be toasted and enjoyed, just living a simple and enjoyable life.


'Bout to make the most out of a toaster.
I would make the most out of every experience, like an English muffin toasted to perfection.


I'd ease myself down, Comin' up brown.
I'd take it easy and chill out, enjoying life as an English muffin, going from white to golden brown.


I prefer boysenberry
If given a choice, I'd choose boysenberry jam over any other variety.


More than any ordinary jam.
Boysenberry jam is the best, and far superior to any other kind of jam.


I'm a 'Citizens for Boysenberry Jam' fan.
I am a dedicated fan of boysenberry jam and will always stand by it.


Ah, South California.
Ah, the sunshine state of California, where life is good and carefree.


If I become a first lieutenant
I'm contemplating a future in the military and becoming a first lieutenant.


Would you put my photo on your piano?
If I did enlist and become a first lieutenant, would you be proud enough to put my photo on your piano?


To Maryjane, Best wishes, Martin.
Sending good wishes and greetings to Maryjane from Martin.


(Old Roger draft-dodger
Old Roger is a draft dodger who doesn't want to go to war and will do anything to avoid it.


Leavin' by the basement door),
He's sneakily leaving by the basement door to avoid being caught and drafted.


Everybody knows what he's, Tippy-toeing down there for.
Everyone knows he's leaving to avoid being drafted, and he's doing it with great precision and care to avoid detection.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PAUL SIMON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Beth Bailey


on The Sounds Of Silence

Aragon Courts 1967

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