Private Idaho
The B-52's Lyrics


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Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo

You're living in your own Private Idaho
Living in your own Private Idaho
Underground like a wild potato
Don't go on the patio
Beware of the pool
Blue bottomless pool
It leads you straight, right throught the gate
That opens on the pool

You're living in your own Private Idaho
You're living in your own Private Idaho

Keep off the path, beware of the gate
Watch out for signs that say "hidden driveways"
Don't let the chlorine in your eyes
Blind you to the awful surprise
That's been waitin' for you at
The bottom of the bottomless blue, blue, blue pool

You're livin' in your own Private Idaho, Idaho
You're out of control, the rivers that roll
You fell into the water and down to Idaho
Get out of that state
Get out of the state you're in
You better beware

You're living in your own Private Idaho
You're living in your own Private Idaho

Keep off the patio (your own private Idaho)
Keep off the path (your own private Idaho)
The lawn may be green but you better not be seen
Walkin' through a gate that leads you down
Down to a pool fraught with danger
It's a pool full of strangers

Hey, you're living in your own Private Idaho
Where do I go from here to a better state than this?
Well
Don't be blind to the big surprise
Swimming round and round like the deadly hand
Of a radium clock
At the bottom
Of the pool

I-I-I-daho
I-I-I-daho
Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh, oh
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Get out of that state
Get out of that state
You're living in your own Private Idaho




Livin' in your own Private
Idaho

Overall Meaning

The B-52's hit song "Private Idaho" is a warning about the danger of isolation and self-absorption. The song describes a person who is living in their own world, detached from reality and oblivious to the dangers that surround them. The lyrics begin with a haunting chant that sets the tone for the rest of the song. The repeated "Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo" creates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. The phrase "Private Idaho" refers to a state of mind rather than a physical location. It's a place where one can escape from the outside world and indulge in their own fantasies, but it comes at a great cost.


The first verse describes the person's life in their own Private Idaho. They are underground like a wild potato and are warned not to go on the patio or near the blue bottomless pool that leads to the gate. The second verse warns the person to keep off the path and beware of the gate. The signs that say "hidden driveways" are also mentioned. The final verse describes the consequences of the person's isolation as they swim around and around like the deadly hand of a radium clock at the bottom of the pool. The song is a warning to those who may be tempted to escape from reality and live in their own world.


Line by Line Meaning

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
The song starts with a chant to set the beat and rhythm of the song.


You're living in your own Private Idaho Living in your own Private Idaho Underground like a wild potato
This line means that the person is living in isolation. It's like they've dug themselves into a hole where they can be alone.


Don't go on the patio Beware of the pool Blue bottomless pool It leads you straight, right throught the gate That opens on the pool
This line is a warning against danger. The pool is deep and can lead to dangerous situations. It's like a trap that people fall into.


Keep off the path, beware of the gate Watch out for signs that say 'hidden driveways' Don't let the chlorine in your eyes Blind you to the awful surprise That's been waitin' for you at The bottom of the bottomless blue, blue, blue pool
This is a continuation of the warning against danger. There are many risks to be wary of that can lead to deadly situations. People should stay away from hidden driveways and be careful near the pool.


You're livin' in your own Private Idaho, Idaho You're out of control, the rivers that roll You fell into the water and down to Idaho Get out of that state Get out of the state you're in You better beware
This line is saying that life has gone out of control and things are headed in the wrong direction. People need to be alert and take steps to get out of this situation.


Keep off the patio (your own private Idaho) Keep off the path (your own private Idaho) The lawn may be green but you better not be seen Walkin' through a gate that leads you down Down to a pool fraught with danger It's a pool full of strangers
This line means that people need to be cautious when moving forward as it could lead to danger. The pool is unknown and could be full of hidden threats.


Hey, you're living in your own Private Idaho Where do I go from here to a better state than this? Well Don't be blind to the big surprise Swimming round and round like the deadly hand Of a radium clock At the bottom Of the pool
This line shows concern about the current state of things and what needs to be done to move forward. The big surprise could be anything and people need to be prepared for the worst. The pool is deep and dangerous, like a ticking time bomb.


I-I-I-daho I-I-I-daho Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh, oh Ah, ah, ah, ah Ah, ah, ah, ah
This line is another chant that is meant to evoke a certain mood in the song. It rhymes with Idaho to bring attention to the state and its dangers.


Get out of that state Get out of that state You're living in your own Private Idaho Livin' in your own Private Idaho
This line is a final warning to people that they need to get out of this dangerous state and move on with their lives. Life in this state has become a trap from which people need to be freed.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, Ricky Wilson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

ultramet

How the hell is this group not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?!!!! Innovators in every sense of the word. Someone in Cleveland needs to wake the hell up!

Kama Gayatri Publications Inc.

@Tabor Talk Indeed. If I may elaborate on pioneers for musical genres, then bands such as Throbbing Gristle, Kraftwerk, and even Ministry or Skinny Puppy deserved to be inducted into the R&RHOF well before, say, Nine Inch Nails. … Now, understand that I do, indeed, love NIN. However, there would be no experimental electronic music, of any sort(!), had it not been for artists like Throbbing Gristle, Einstürzende Neubauten, Karlheinz Stockhausen or Kraftwerk.

Chalwa

@Chip Chop Why u here then, flitboy?

Jack Tippett

No shit!!!

Chip Chop

Because it’s horrible cringe. You have to be on a cocktail of drugs and already be an incredibly awkward person to enjoy this

Luis T. Puig

exactly!

9 More Replies...

Dylan Darke

Original B-52s concerts were absolutely rip the ceiling, tear down the walls crazy! Totally nuts! Anyone who was there can back me up! LOVE THE B-52S!

Brad Thurkle

Love Rock lobster 🦞.

7xXSE7ENXx7

@Sam Mencia lucky bastard i was still 2 years from being born.

Jon Evans

Teenage me was super into punk rock and I read somewhere that the b52s, the love shack band used to tour w punk bands and whenever they played all of the other bands and punk kids at the show wld all stop and watch in awe. So I got this album and I am 42 and I still love this band!

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