New Star
Tears for Fears Lyrics


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Baby, your deal is surreal just like lightning, streakin' on
Heaven still is a state of mind, where did we go wrong?
What happened to those old convictions?
Went up in smoke
Baby, while your back breaks slowly
By the skin of your teeth you'll be under their thumb

Moving from this state of friction
We all got stars in our eyes
But you know by now your one restriction
Is at the edge of the sky

Keep shining like a new star
Shining like a new star
Baby we better start
'Cause baby we're alive (new star)

Shadows are still when the will
Has no strength left to carry on
You're flat on you back with your heart attack
Where the hell have you gone?

The pressure and pain, all the fire and ice
when you're playing a game, with the rats and the mice
While your back breaks slowly
By the skin of your teeth You'll be under their thumb

New star
Shining like a new star
Baby we better start
'Cause baby we're alive (new star)
New star
Shining like a new star
Baby we better start
'Cause baby we're alive (new star)

Dreaming so clever in all kinds of weather
Where did you mention that you buried your treasure?
After the pleasure of givin' is gone
We'll be as one under the same sun

Sun

Shining like a new star
Shining like a new star
Shining like a new star
Shining like a new star

New star (shining like a new star)
Shining like a new star (shining like a new star)
Baby we better start (shining like a new star)
'Cause baby we're alive (new star) (shining like a new star)
New star (shining like a new star)
Shining like a new star (shining like a new star)
Baby we better start (baby we better start)
'Cause baby we're alive (new star) (shining like a new star)

'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive




'Cause baby we're alive
'Cause baby we're alive

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tears for Fears' "New Star" are a contemplative and somewhat intense reflection on personal struggle and resilience. The song opens with the observation that the listener's "deal is surreal," meaning that their situation feels almost unreal in its intensity. The second line sets up a contrast between this surreal state and the idea that "heaven" is a place that can be reached through a state of mind. In other words, the listener is facing hardship and turmoil, but there might be a way out if they can maintain the right attitude. The next verse illustrates the difficulty of sticking to personal convictions in the face of outside pressures, and suggests that it's possible to get "under their thumb" - in other words, to be controlled by other people or circumstances.


The chorus shifts the song's focus to a more positive outlook. Everyone has "stars in [their] eyes," the lyrics explain, but the difference is how much one allows their own circumstances to limit them. The idea that there's a limit "at the edge of the sky" could represent either a limit to what is physically possible, or a limit to one's own imagination. The final verse brings back the idea of struggle and pain, but ends on a more hopeful note. The listener is urged to "keep shining like a new star," and eventually will be "under the same sun" with all others.


There are several interpretations possible for the meaning behind "New Star." It's possible that it's a song about the difficulties of the music industry and fame. However, given the lyrics' focus on personal struggle and control it might be more accurate to interpret it as simply a song about perseverance in the face of hardship, with the idea of being a "new star" representing the hope of breaking free from limitations and maintaining a sense of possibility.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby, your deal is surreal just like lightning, streakin' on
The singer likens the listener's behavior to a surreal lightning strike, which shocks and surprises them.


Heaven still is a state of mind, where did we go wrong?
The singer ponders the idea that the afterlife or ultimate happiness may only exist in our minds, and questions where humanity has taken a wrong turn.


What happened to those old convictions?
The singer laments the loss of old, strongly-held beliefs and principles that were once important to them.


Went up in smoke
The artist suggests that these convictions have vanished or proven false, akin to something that has disappeared as if into smoke.


Baby, while your back breaks slowly
The listener is struggling, perhaps physically or emotionally, and their pain is increasing gradually.


By the skin of your teeth you'll be under their thumb
The singer implies that the listener is close to being completely controlled by someone or something else, barely able to resist their influence.


Moving from this state of friction
The singer suggests that they and the listener are currently in a state of conflict or tension with each other, and they desire to move beyond it.


We all got stars in our eyes
The artist notes that everyone has dreams or aspirations, as if they have a metaphorical 'star' they are striving to reach.


But you know by now your one restriction
The artist indicates that the listener is aware of what is holding them back or limiting them from achieving their goals.


Is at the edge of the sky
The listener's limitation is compared to being as high or vast as the sky, something that is out of their reach.


Keep shining like a new star
The singer encourages the listener to continue to shine as brightly and successfully as a new, ascending star might do.


Dreaming so clever in all kinds of weather
The artist comments on the listener's skill at dreaming and coming up with ideas, even in difficult circumstances.


Where did you mention that you buried your treasure?
The singer questions the listener as to whether they have shared any personal or valuable information with them, perhaps a metaphorical 'treasure'.


After the pleasure of givin' is gone
The singer suggests that the benefits or enjoyment of giving may have worn off or disappeared for the listener.


We'll be as one under the same sun
The singer suggests that they and the listener will be united or unified, living under the same sun or experiencing the same reality.


'Cause baby we're alive
The refrain emphasizes the importance of being alive and present in the moment, possibly as a way to motivate the listener or oneself.




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALAN GRIFFITHS, ROLAND ORZABAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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