Why?
Strawbs Lyrics


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Strawbs - Why

Mirror, mirror, speak the truth
I see my age but not my youth
Pride comes before a fall
The winner's eye is ever small.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

I realise it's not too late
... (?) a penny on the plate
... (?) I feel so free
So blind eyes can never see.

Why
Why
Why
Why.

I keep on sliding down the wall
Till I can't slide no more at all
I can't climb back, I never could
And I just won't try but I know I should.

Why
Why




Why
Why.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of this song reflect on the human condition of questioning and introspection. The song begins with the singer looking into a mirror and seeing the reflections of his age, but not his youth. The lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing regrets and internal conflicts about how he has lived his life up to this point. It further goes on to mention that pride comes before a fall and the winner's eye is ever small, possibly indicating that the singer has fallen from grace and perhaps his egotistical behavior contributed to his downfall.


The chorus of the song repeats the word "why," possibly indicating the singer's search for answers and a need for clarity regarding his past actions. The second verse talks about the singer's realization that it's not too late to change the course of his life, but it's unclear what he needs to do to make that change. The last few lines of the song suggest that the singer is not taking any proactive steps for improvement and is instead sliding down the wall, feeling powerless to make any changes.


Overall, the lyrics of "Why" showcase an individual's internal struggle with regrets and a desire for change, but a lack of action towards that change. The use of mirror imagery and repeating the word "why" emphasizes the importance of introspection and self-reflection in order to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Mirror, mirror, speak the truth
Looking at myself in the mirror, I am asking for honesty about how I really look.


I see my age but not my youth
Even though I see the signs of age on my face, I feel I'm still young inside.


Pride comes before a fall
Being too proud can lead to making mistakes and failing.


The winner's eye is ever small.
Winning can make one self-centered and narrow-minded.


I realise it's not too late
I am coming to the realization that it's not too late to make changes.


... (?) a penny on the plate
Unknown meaning, possibly talking about giving to charity despite not having much.


... (?) I feel so free
Unknown meaning, possibly stating a feeling of freedom from material possessions.


So blind eyes can never see.
Those who can't see past material possessions will never understand true freedom.


I keep on sliding down the wall
Metaphor for losing control and not being able to stop the decline.


Till I can't slide no more at all
Continuing to lose control until there is no way left to continue downward.


I can't climb back, I never could
Acknowledgement that the singer has difficulty climbing back up and making positive changes.


And I just won't try but I know I should.
Despite the desire to make changes, the artist is resistant to trying and taking action.


Why
Refrain expressing an ongoing struggle with understanding the reasons behind the singer's resistance to change.


Why
Refrain expressing an ongoing struggle with understanding the reasons behind the singer's resistance to change.


Why
Refrain expressing an ongoing struggle with understanding the reasons behind the singer's resistance to change.


Why.
Refrain expressing an ongoing struggle with understanding the reasons behind the artist's resistance to change.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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