Mr. Writer
Stereophonics Lyrics


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You line them up
Look at your shoes
You hang names on your wall
Then you shoot them all

You fly around in planes
That bring you down
To meet me who loves you, like
Me crashing to the ground

Are you so lonely?
You don't even know me
But you'd like to stone me

Mr. Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
Why don't you tell it like it really is?
Before you go on home

I used to treat you right
Give you my time
But when I'd turn my back on you
Then you do what you do

You've just enough, in my own view
Education to perform
I'd like to shoot you all
And then you go home
With you on your own
What do you really know?

Mr, Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
Why don't you tell it like it really is?
Before you go on home

And then you go home
With you on your own
What do you even know?

Mr. Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
Why don't you tell it like it really is?
Before you go on home

Mr. Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
Why don't you tell it like it always is?
Before you go on home

Mr. Writer, why don't you tell it like it really is?




Why don't you tell it like it always is?
Before you go on home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Stereophonics' "Mr. Writer" criticize the music industry and those who established and judge it. The lyrics describe an arrogant and superficial individual who has "just enough education to perform" and operates in the music industry. The lyrics sarcastically portray the individual's need for admiration and their constant need to hang names on their wall, only to later shoot them down. The lyrics also depict the individual's selfish and thoughtless behavior towards others, especially towards the singer who used to give him/her his/her time, only to be betrayed.


The chorus acts as a call to action, urging the "Mr. Writer" to speak the truth about how the industry functions and their distorted view of reality before they retreat back home. The repeated urges to "tell it like it is" highlight the importance of authenticity and honesty in music and how it is lacking in the industry.


Overall, "Mr. Writer" is a satirical and blunt critique of the music industry and how it functions at the cost of authenticity and earnestness.


Line by Line Meaning

You line them up
You arrange a group of people or things


Look at your shoes
You focus on insignificant details instead of the big picture


You hang names on your wall
You boast about your accomplishments and collect trophies to show off


Then you shoot them all
You create unrealistic expectations and tear them down when they are not met


You fly around in planes
You are privileged and live a luxurious life


That bring you down
Your wealth and status make you arrogant and disconnected from reality


To meet me who loves you, like
You encounter someone who genuinely cares for you


Me crashing to the ground
Your lack of consideration for others causes them pain and suffering


Are you so lonely?
Do you feel isolated and detached from others despite your success?


You don't even know me
You refuse to acknowledge or empathize with those around you


But you'd like to stone me
You are quick to judge and criticize others for their shortcomings


Mr. Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
You, the artist, are challenging Mr. Writer to tell the truth


Why don't you tell it like it really is?
You ask Mr. Writer to be honest and not sugarcoat the reality


Before you go on home
You want Mr. Writer to consider his actions before returning to his comfortable life


I used to treat you right
You used to show Mr. Writer kindness and respect


Give you my time
You invested in your relationship with Mr. Writer


But when I'd turn my back on you
When you would let your guard down or show vulnerability


Then you do what you do
Mr. Writer would take advantage of your trust or exploit your weaknesses


You've just enough, in my own view
You possess a certain level of intelligence or talent


Education to perform
You have obtained the necessary skills to succeed


I'd like to shoot you all
You feel anger and frustration towards those who use their talents for selfish gain


And then you go home
After a long day of work or exploiting others


With you on your own
You are left to face the consequences of your actions alone


What do you really know?
You lack true understanding or empathy for others


Why don't you tell it like it always is?
You ask Mr. Writer to acknowledge the harsh realities of life and not live in denial


Mr. Writer, why don't you tell it like it really is?
You challenge Mr. Writer to be honest and transparent


Before you go on home
You urge Mr. Writer to consider his actions and impact on others




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Kelly Jones, Marshall Ross Bird, Stuart Cable, Richard Mark Jones

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@me-pn5lu

You line them up
Look at your shoes
You hang names on your wall
Then you shoot them all

You fly around in planes
That bring you down
To meet me who loves you, like
Me crashing to the ground

Are you so lonely?
Don't even know me
But you'd like to stone me

Mr Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
Why don't you tell it like it really is?
Before you go on home

I used to treat you right
Give you my time
But when I'd turn my back on you
Then you do what you do

You've just enough, in my own view
Education to perform
I'd like to shoot you all

And then you go home
With you on your own
What do you really know?

Mr Writer, why don't you tell it like it is?
Why don't you tell it like it really is?
Before you go on home

And then you go home
With you on your own
What do you even know?

Mr Writer, why don't you tell it like it really is?
Why don't you tell it like it always is?
Before you go on home

Mr Writer, why don't you tell it like it really is?
Why don't you tell it like it always is?
Before you go on home

Mr Writer, why don't you tell it like it really is?
Why don't you tell it like it always is?
Before you go on home



All comments from YouTube:

@bogdanbosoi1483

A real pleasure to revisit this amazing band in 2022!! Very, very underrated band. Great and unique voice!

@jillmcintyre2144

I’ll keep on revisiting this band until I die 👌

@silverwing4688

Well said .
It's a lost treasure , to be recovered .










Hiw do u know how many views Justin bevear baby has had , 😒 🤔 hmm. The plot thickens here .

@dombrandon3018

I'm not sure it's true to say they were underrated. They were one of the biggest and most celebrated bands in UK for about 10 years but you're right about it being a pleasure to listen to them and that Kelly has a great voice.

@petercurrie8047

These should damn well be the pride of Britain.

@fordism.01

One of the best tracks they ever wrote. Fantastic band

@ekaterinastoykova4077

I used to adore this song when I was 20. Then I haven't listened to it for a very long time. I've just turned 38 … Nothing has changed. I still adore it. I still get the lyrics. Time does not exist :)

@annastybeach9064

Im in my 40s and can remember seeing them at The Garage in Glasgow when I was a student..brilliant live!

@andygallacher5522

Brings back memories every time I listen to it as well we get older and wiser but our taste in music never changes music is not the same anymore I'm only 35 as well it makes me feel old saying music is not the same anymore but it is true apart from likes of ed sheeran john legend Calvin Harris but not too much that grabs my attention like this song did xx

@matthieucoquard9809

So do i in 2023

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