The Emperor's New Clothes
Sinéad O'Connor Lyrics
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While I wrecked the bedroom
You said it was dangerous after Sunday
And I knew you loved me
He thinks I just became famous
And that's what messed me up
But he's wrong
How could I possibly know what I want
And there's millions of people
To offer advice and say how I should be
But they're twisted and they will never be
Any influence on me
But you will always be
You will always be
If I treated you mean
I really didn't mean to
But you know how it is
And how a pregnancy can change you
I see plenty of clothes that I like
But I won't go anywhere nice for a while
All I want to do is just sit here
And write it all down and rest for a while
I can't bear to be in another city
One where you are not
I would return to nothing without you
If I'm your girlfriend or not
Maybe I was mean
But I really don't think so
You asked if I'm scared
And I said so
Everyone can see what's going on
They laugh 'cause they know they're untouchable
Not because what I said was wrong
Whatever it may bring
I will live by my own policies
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will sleep in peace
Maybe it sounds mean
But I really don't think so
You asked for the truth and I told you
Through their own words
They will be exposed
They've got a severe case of
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes
The emperor's new clothes
The lyrics of Sinéad O'Connor's song "The Emperor's New Clothes" describe the complicated and tumultuous romantic relationship between O'Connor and her lover. The song starts with O'Connor acknowledging the trouble she caused in their past by wrecking the bedroom while he held the baby. He tries to blame her newfound fame for her recent behavior, but she knows that to be untrue. She was only twenty-one at the time, and though millions of people offered her unsolicited advice on how to behave, only her lover had any genuine influence over her.
O'Connor goes on to describe how she desperately needs to rest and write, but that she cannot bear to be in another city without him. She is honest in admitting that she may have been mean to him in the past, but she denies that she is being so now. Finally, O'Connor speaks about the hypocrisy of those around her. She says that people are laughing at her, thinking themselves untouchable, but she knows the truth about what they are really like - they have a "severe case of the emperor's new clothes." In other words, people like to act as though they know what is best for others, but in reality, they are just as flawed as anyone else.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like years since you held the baby
It has been a long time since you took care of the baby.
While I wrecked the bedroom
While I made a mess of our bedroom.
You said it was dangerous after Sunday
You warned me about the danger of my actions after Sunday.
And I knew you loved me
But I knew that you still loved me despite everything.
He thinks I just became famous
Some people think that my fame is the reason for my behavior.
And that's what messed me up
But they do not understand, that is not the case.
But he's wrong
They are wrong.
How could I possibly know what I want
It's impossible for me to know what I really want.
When I was only twenty-one?
Especially when I was so young, only twenty-one.
And there's millions of people
Many people offer advice on how I should live my life.
To offer advice and say how I should be
But their opinions are flawed and will never influence me.
But they're twisted and they will never be
They're messed up and will never understand.
Any influence on me
They will never impact me.
But you will always be
But you, my loved one, will always have an impact on me.
You will always be
You will always be important to me.
If I treated you mean
If I was ever harsh to you.
I really didn't mean to
I didn't intend to hurt you.
But you know how it is
But you understand how life is.
And how a pregnancy can change you
And how pregnancy can change a person.
I see plenty of clothes that I like
I see many things that attract me.
But I won't go anywhere nice for a while
But I won't go anywhere fancy for some time.
All I want to do is just sit here
All I want to do is rest here.
And write it all down and rest for a while
And write everything down and take a break.
I can't bear to be in another city
I cannot stand to be in a different city.
One where you are not
One where you are not with me.
I would return to nothing without you
Without you, nothing would be the same.
If I'm your girlfriend or not
It doesn't matter if I'm your girlfriend or not.
Maybe I was mean
Perhaps I was cruel.
But I really don't think so
But I don't think so myself.
You asked if I'm scared
You asked if I was afraid.
And I said so
And I admitted that I was.
Everyone can see what's going on
Everyone is aware of the situation.
They laugh 'cause they know they're untouchable
They laugh because they think they're invincible.
Not because what I said was wrong
Not because I was wrong about my beliefs.
Whatever it may bring
Whatever the future may hold.
I will live by my own policies
I will live by my own set of rules.
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will be able to sleep soundly.
I will sleep in peace
I will be at peace while sleeping.
Maybe it sounds mean
It may sound harsh.
But I really don't think so
But I don't believe it is.
You asked for the truth and I told you
You asked for the truth, and I gave it to you.
Through their own words
Through their own actions.
They will be exposed
They will be revealed for who they truly are.
They've got a severe case of
They are heavily struggling with this issue of:
The emperor's new clothes
Perceiving something as impressive or significant because it’s marketed or promoted well, without regard to whether it’s actually valuable or not.
The emperor's new clothes
The same issue of perceiving something as impressive or significant because it's marketed or promoted well.
The emperor's new clothes
The issue of perceiving something as impressive or significant because it’s marketed or promoted well, without regard to whether it’s actually valuable or not.
The emperor's new clothes
The issue of perceiving something as impressive or significant because it's marketed or promoted well.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN BURTNICK, PATTY SMYTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bootdownthedoor
I am stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If your hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
My apple tree my brightness
It's time we were together
For I smell of the earth
And am worn by the weather
When my family thinks
That I'm safe in my bed
From night until morning
I am stretched at your head
Calling out to the air
With tears hot and wild
My grief for the girl
That I loved as a child
Do you remember
The night we were lost
In the shade of the blackthorn
And the chill of the frost
Thanks be to Jesus
We did what was right
And your maiden head still
Is your pillar of light
The priests and the friars
Approach me in dread
Because I still love you
My love and you're dead
I still would be your shelter
Through rain and through storm
And with you in your cold grave
I cannot sleep warm
So I'm stretched on your grave
And will lie there forever
If you hands were in mine
I'd be sure we'd not sever
My apple tree my brightness
It's time we were together
For I smell of the earth
And am worn by the weather
@tq6tl
This song is fitting for such a sad day. May your spirit find your beloved son's spirit.
RIP Sinead
@athecheat
It's my song now that she has passed
@Pcrimson1
As soon as I heard the news, I had to hear this song. What a great voice, what a loss.. Peace to you, Sinead
@sidgrimes2495
SAME 💔
@jec0435
SAME. Here we are. Rest in peace Sinead.
@Iofflight78
I hadn't listened to her in ages and I knew of her struggles still I found myself strangely gutted.
@jograham1153
Same...
@SirenaSpades
Why bother now.
@cookworm6
I've been listening to Sinéad O'Connor since 1986, and I had no idea until today this song was an old Irish poem!
@panismith1544
Awesome poem!!!