The Emperor's New Clothes
SinГ©ad 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 "The Emperor's New Clothes" is a personal confession of the artist about the difficulties she faced in her early adulthood. The lines "It seems like years since you held the baby/While I wrecked the bedroom/You said it was dangerous after Sunday/And I knew you loved me" are an acknowledgment of the chaos she caused in her personal life while dealing with the pressures of celebrity and motherhood. The line "He thinks I just became famous/And that's what messed me up/But he's wrong" is a denial of her partner's belief that fame was the cause of her problems, and the line "How could I possibly know what I want/When I was only twenty-one?" reflects her insecurities about making life-altering decisions at such a young age.
In the chorus, O'Connor addresses her partner, saying that even though she may have treated him badly, he will always be important to her. She also expresses her desire to stay away from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry and focus on writing and resting.
The song's title is a reference to the Hans Christian Andersen tale of the same name, where a vain emperor is duped into wearing invisible clothes by two weavers who convince him that only the stupid cannot see their magical garments. The song's lyrics suggest that the people in the entertainment industry are like the emperor, so caught up in their own world that they cannot see the truth.
Line by Line Meaning
It seems like years since you held the baby
It feels like it's been a long time since you took care of our child.
While I wrecked the bedroom
While I was going through a difficult time and dealing with my own issues.
You said it was dangerous after Sunday
You cautioned me about my behavior after a particular Sunday when things seemed to be going out of control.
And I knew you loved me
I recognized that you cared for me, even when I was struggling.
He thinks I just became famous
Someone believes that my recent fame is causing problems for me.
And that's what messed me up
But they're wrong. There are other issues affecting me.
How could I possibly know what I want
I was only 21 when all of this started. How could I be expected to have all the answers?
When there's millions of people to offer advice and say how I should be
There are countless people offering their opinions and telling me how to live my life.
But they're twisted and they will never be
But those people are not trustworthy or helpful. They will never be an important influence on me.
Any influence on me
Only you have been an important influence on me.
But you will always be
I'll always value your support and guidance.
If I treated you mean
If I was ever unkind to you.
I really didn't mean to
It wasn't intentional.
But you know how it is
But you know that it can be difficult to control one's emotions.
And how a pregnancy can change you
And how pregnancy can cause significant changes in a person's thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
I see plenty of clothes that I like
I have many opportunities and choices in my life.
But I won't go anywhere nice for a while
But I don't feel like going anywhere special any time soon.
All I want to do is just sit here
All I want to do is rest and focus on my music.
And write it all down and rest for a while
And take time to jot down ideas and inspiration without interruption.
I can't bear to be in another city
I can't stand the thought of being in a different town or city.
One where you are not
A new place without you would be too overwhelming and upsetting.
I would return to nothing without you
I wouldn't be able to function or feel content without your support.
If I'm your girlfriend or not
Regardless of our relationship status, you are still an important part of my life.
Maybe I was mean
Maybe my behavior was harsh or unfair.
But I really don't think so
But I don't believe that my actions were unreasonable.
You asked if I'm scared
You wanted to know if I'm feeling frightened or overwhelmed.
And I said so
I admitted that I am indeed scared.
Everyone can see what's going on
Everyone can see and speculate about my personal and professional struggles.
They laugh 'cause they know they're untouchable
People mock or ridicule me without fear of repercussions or condemnation.
Not because what I said was wrong
Not because I did anything wrong, but because it's easy to criticize someone in the public eye.
Whatever it may bring
Whatever the future holds for me.
I will live by my own policies
I will live and conduct myself according to my own values and beliefs.
I will sleep with a clear conscience
I will rest easy knowing I acted in accordance with my principles.
I will sleep in peace
I will feel satisfied knowing that I am true to myself and my morals.
Maybe it sounds mean
My words may come across as harsh or cruel.
But I really don't think so
But I don't believe that I'm being unfair or cruel.
You asked for the truth and I told you
You wanted me to be honest, and I gave you the truth.
Through their own words
Through the things they say and do.
They will be exposed
They will reveal their true selves without even realizing it.
They've got a severe case of
They are suffering from a condition where they lack awareness and pretend to understand more than they truly do.
The emperor's new clothes
They have a delusional belief in their own intelligence and righteousness.
The emperor's new clothes
This expression represents a lack of self-awareness and a refusal to accept the truth about oneself.
The emperor's new clothes
This refrain highlights the prevalence of hubris and the fallibility of the human condition.
The emperor's new clothes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GLENN BURTNICK, PATTY SMYTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aranci-nick6302
“They laugh cos they know they’re untouchable, not because what I said was wrong” ahead of her time. RIP Sinead ❤
@coolbreeze5683
She will sleep with a clear conscience, she will sleep in peace
@GiantAsteroid-2024
@@coolbreeze5683I don't normally find myself affected by the passing of celebrities but this one feels different... maybe because she wasn't a celebrity but an artist.
Sinead will sleep with a clear conscience. Sinead will sleep in peace,
@akvox6155
right? criminally good. Unreal.
@coolbreeze5683
@@GiantAsteroid-2024 I feel the same way! She spoke what was true in her eyes, despite people being dismissive of her. Art is truth! Celebrity is just recycling to please the masses. She was definitely ahead of her time.
@EricaConger
These lyrics are ingenious. I agree. This loss hits different. It hits real deep. ❤
@ronp187
This is one that aged well. She spoke truths and she was right. So ahead of her time as an artist. She is sleeping peace.
@matthewcarey3148
You are right. That’s what I thought reading her obituary this week: way ahead of her time. Those that are, usually are misunderstood, if not persecuted.
@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx
The lyrics appear to be a refusal to apologise for treating a lover badly, and blaming it on being pregnant.
@thecoldglassofwatershow
@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xxtry again