Elephant
TameImpala Lyrics
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Shaking his big grey trunk for the hell of it
You know that you're dreaming about being loved by him
Too bad your chances are slim
And it’s not like Mr. Shock
To get shy when I ask who always is on top?
There must be something deep down in the middle down there
He’s got friends but they got the feeling
Wouldn't care too much if he just disappeared
Oh, look, see there he is now coming down the stairs
(Here he comes)
He pulled the mirrors off his Cadillac (yeah)
‘Cause he doesn’t like it looking like he looks back
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact
Somebody grabbed his collar
He cried the whole way home
He won’t remember a thing 'til it starts again
That’s how it is 'til the end (yeah)
The song "Elephant" by Tame Impala is a reflection of how we all dream about being loved by someone we can never have. The lyrics metaphorically compare the feeling of longing for affection to a huge grey elephant that shakes its trunk "for the hell of it." The singer tells the subject of the song that she's been dreaming about being loved by "him" but unfortunately, her chances are slim. This could mean that the person she's pining after is either unattainable or just not interested in her.
In the second verse, the song changes its focus to a new subject who is referred to as Mr. Shock. This person seems to be confident and dominant in most areas of life but unusually coy when asked about who is "on top." The lyrics suggest that there might be a hidden insecurity or vulnerability in Mr. Shock that he doesn't necessarily show. He has friends but it's unclear whether they would notice if he disappeared. The singer then spots Mr. Shock coming down the stairs and seems to imply that he's not as invincible as he thinks.
The song's chorus refers to an incident where Mr. Shock pulled the mirrors off his Cadillac because he doesn't like looking back at himself. He talks as if his opinion is the only objective fact and seems to have an egotistical personality. However, something happens to him that causes him to break down and cry on the way home. The next line suggests that he won't remember anything until the cycle of events starts all over again. The song is highly metaphorical and the meanings behind the lyrics are open to interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Bet he feels like an elephant
He is feeling like a burden or is overwhelmed by something
Shaking his big grey trunk for the hell of it
He is acting uncharacteristically carefree and unpredictable
You know that you're dreaming about being loved by him
The subject of the song is infatuated with this person who is acting wild and free
Too bad your chances are slim
Unfortunately, this person is unattainable or uninterested
And it’s not like Mr. Shock
This person is not normally unpredictable or shocking
To get shy when I ask who always is on top?
To become bashful or secretive when asked about their position or authority
There must be something deep down in the middle down there
There is something beneath the surface, possibly a hidden motive or emotion
He’s not too easily scared
This person is not afraid or intimidated easily
He’s got friends but they got the feeling
This person has friends but they seem to have a negative opinion of him or do not care about him too much
Wouldn't care too much if he just disappeared
His friends would not be overly concerned if something were to happen to him
Oh, look, see there he is now coming down the stairs
The subject of the song observes this person making an entrance
He pulled the mirrors off his Cadillac (yeah)
He removed his Cadillac's mirrors, suggesting a disregard for his appearance or image
‘Cause he doesn’t like it looking like he looks back
He dislikes seeing his own reflection, possibly due to feelings of insecurity or discomfort
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact
This person speaks with unwavering confidence, as if their opinions are objective truths
Somebody grabbed his collar
This person was physically restrained or confronted by someone else
He cried the whole way home
This person was emotional or upset after the confrontation
He won’t remember a thing 'til it starts again
This person has a tendency to repeat their actions, even if they regret them later
That’s how it is 'til the end (yeah)
This person's behavior will remain consistent or unchanged, possibly leading to negative consequences in the future
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAY WATSON, KEVIN PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@onightlysplendor
✨ LYRICS ✨
Well, he feels like an elephant
Shaking his big grey trunk for the hell of it
He knows that you're dreaming about being loved by him.
Too bad your chances are slim
And it's not like mister shook to get shy when they ask him who is on top
There must be something deep down in the dark down there
He's not too easily scared
He's got friends but they got fear
Wouldn't care too much if he just disappeared
Oh, look see there he is now coming down the stairs
Here he comes
He pulled the mirrors off his Cadillac
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact
Somebody grabbed his collar
He cried the whole way home
No one been remembered a thing when they saw him again
That's how it is 'til the end
Yeah
@gt40f
Bet he feels like an elephant
Shaking his big grey trunk for the hell of it
You know that you're dreaming about being loved by him
Too bad your chances are slim
And it's not like Mr. Shock
To get shy when I ask who always is on top?
There must be something deep down in the middle down there
He's not too easily scared
He's got friends but they got the feeling
Wouldn't care too much if he just disappeared
Oh, look, see there he is now coming down the stairs
(Here he comes)
He pulled the mirrors off his Cadillac (yeah)
'Cause he doesn't like it looking like he looks back
He talks like his opinion is a simple fact
Somebody grabbed his collar
He cried the whole way home
He won't remember a thing 'til it starts again
That's how it is 'til the end (yeah)
@malbourne805
My father heard this and said he didn't remember hearing this particular song back in the late 60's when he was in his early 20's. He was surprised to know that the lead singer - Kevin Parker - is even younger than I am. That's how good these guys are; my dad thought they were an old psychedelic 60's band that he'd forgotten about during Woodstock.
@yoqqen
The lead singer is actually the one who writes and plays all of the instruments on the albums, the rest of the band is only for live shows
@books2438
Sounding like it’s an old song doesn’t necessarily mean the song will be good. It could be absolute trash and sound like the sixties. Not that this particular song is bad, just that your reasoning why it’s good is wrong
@NickNickoso
@@books2438 odds of songs sucking back then is significantly smaller than them sucking now. And even if that wasn’t the case, the biggest difference is in theme. Back then, songs could speak of anything. Now, 90% of them speak of sex.
@thenewromanticrenaissanceb9099
Absolutely, so powerful and strong lyricists and melody makers. They really encapsulated the '70s psych rock sound deftly without sounding trite. Very authentic and real. They could have had anyone fooled!
@anonemouse1470
@@books2438 meh
@Roninworld
Man the drummer Kevin Parker is so good. I also love their guitarist Kevin Parker, but while the bass is pretty good and Kevin Parker is very talented. The vocals by Kevin Parker are the best part by far
@wolfschegelsteinhausenberg6811
W
@rodpoo7706
@@wolfschegelsteinhausenberg6811E
@sexypigeon4882
@@rodpoo7706 L