Waltz
The Cat Empire Lyrics


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Was going to write a song at a time
When my life and my moods were in order and fine
But the hour was late and my room was a state
And I realized that song I would never create
And so this is a song I discovered instead
The song about living before we are dead
And by living I don't mean perfection like gold
Cos living my friends is the sweet unresolved

LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
LEAN OVER YOUR BALCONIES AND DON'T RUN INSIDE
LOOK AFTER YOUR WORLD AND SHE MIGHT TREAT YOU RIGHT
LET RANDOM-THINGS-PROVIDE-IMAGINATION SOMETIMES OH

I've seen people trying to package their love
Like a dove in the kitchen with a note that says
Make sure you scrub well and plan and prepare everything
Affection as clean as a triangle ting
But love it or not love's as mad as they come
Oh it's sly and it's wise and it's wonderfully dumb
And while some might still say ‘No it's pure like one'
My love it is wild and not mild and on the run

An Austrian waltz is a very strange thing
When it's played in the midst of the Melbourne music boxing ring
And who said that culture can't grow from a whim
My god there is strength when a cat learns to swim
‘And what is a king' he screamed at the wind
A king is decisive without and within
They can't make me stumble they don't hit my chin
They told me I mumbled so I decided to sing

I'd never be too old or bitter and thin
Was born with a smile and I'd die with a grin
And I dive in the ocean when the sky tumbles in
And I'd rise when I find a way to make her shining
And I know the trick that the gods love to play
You say you want one thing they take it away
But action I've found is a seven letter word




Pretend you want a shoe box
And find you've found the world

Overall Meaning

The Cat Empire's song "Waltz" is a song that speaks about a realization that the time to create the perfect song will never come. Instead of waiting for the perfect time, they've chosen to create a song about life before it's all over. The lyrics speak about the essence of living, not about being perfect, but instead enjoying every moment, which the Cat Empire describes as "the sweet unresolved."


The second stanza of the song talks about how people often try to make their love for someone or something appears perfect, and how futile that attempt is. The lyrics state that love is wild and not mild, and often compared to madness. It suggests not trying to control love but to enjoy it in its disarray. The bridge is perhaps the most beautiful part of the song, and it speaks about the beauty of Austrian waltz for its strength and culture, even in unlikely places. It's a declaration of being fearless and the ability to sing instead of remaining silent, even when people criticize or question your ability.


The song's lyrics teach listeners that happiness isn't a thing you can find or a destination you can arrive at, but instead, it’s something you cultivate through your actions. The key is to take small actions every day and focus on what you genuinely want, and eventually, it becomes much more significant than what you dreamed of initially. The song inspires the listeners to take action towards finding happiness and never letting go, even if it means facing challenges.


Line by Line Meaning

Was going to write a song at a time
I planned to write a song when everything in my life was orderly and settled


When my life and my moods were in order and fine
Only when I was in the perfect mental state


But the hour was late and my room was a state
But the time wasn't right, and my surroundings were chaotic


And I realized that song I would never create
So I gave up on that song


And so this is a song I discovered instead
Instead, I discovered a song


The song about living before we are dead
This new song is about living life to the fullest


And by living I don't mean perfection like gold
Living doesn't mean everything is perfect like gold


Cos living my friends is the sweet unresolved
Living is embracing the unresolved and spontaneous


I've seen people trying to package their love
I've seen people try to control and organize their love


Like a dove in the kitchen with a note that says
Like putting a dove with instructions in the kitchen


Make sure you scrub well and plan and prepare everything
Trying to plan and be perfect in every detail of love


Affection as clean as a triangle ting
Expanding love to cover every possible detail


But love it or not love's as mad as they come
But love cannot always be controlled and can be chaotic


Oh it's sly and it's wise and it's wonderfully dumb
Love can be shrewd yet foolish yet wise at the same time


And while some might still say ‘No it's pure like one'
People may argue that love is pure and simple


My love it is wild and not mild and on the run
But my love is unrestrained and free


An Austrian waltz is a very strange thing
Austria waltz seems bizarre


When it's played in the midst of the Melbourne music boxing ring
Especially when played in Melbourne's music boxing ring


And who said that culture can't grow from a whim
But who said that cultural changes have to be planned?


My god there is strength when a cat learns to swim
It's amazing when something that's never done before is accomplished


‘And what is a king' he screamed at the wind
Someone once asked the wind what a king is


A king is decisive without and within
The wind said a king is someone who is decisive inside and outside


They can't make me stumble they don't hit my chin
They can't bring me down by only verbal attacks


They told me I mumbled so I decided to sing
When told that I mumbled, I decided to sing loudly


I'd never be too old or bitter and thin
I'll never let myself become old, resentful or weak


Was born with a smile and I'd die with a grin
I was born with a smile, and I intend to die the same way


And I dive in the ocean when the sky tumbles in
I embrace chaos and jump in the ocean


And I'd rise when I find a way to make her shining
I'll emerge again when I find my way and make my partner shine too


And I know the trick that the gods love to play
I'm familiar with the gods' games


You say you want one thing they take it away
They play games where you never get exactly what you want


But action I've found is a seven-letter word
But what I've learned is that action is key


Pretend you want a shoebox
Start small and pretend you only want a shoebox


And find you've found the world
And you'll see you've found everything.




Contributed by Caroline C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@brianpsolka

This song basically about how everything is pointless and to just not think too much and have fun.

@NoBrainkrock

please come todo México

@omarlujan4309

x2 :v

@kabelchaos3398

Das errinert mich vom sound an ein Oktoberfest schunkellied D:

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