Coming Up
The Matchcoats Lyrics
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In life you learn so many songs
Some are light and some are blue
I could paint a picture singing with you
Coming up, I used to be a boy climbing on an old oak tree
Out on a limb, and skin a cat
Life is good when you're living like that
Coming up, I used to be a girl sittin' on my Daddy's knee
Ride a little horsey down to town
Ride a little horsey, don't fall down
Grown up, I want to be a man singing this melody
If I must be growing old
It'll be with you, baby, oh, don't you know?
Grown up, I wanna be a lady singing harmony
And when I am old and grey
I'll have been with you, baby, all my days
Oh, we move along
In life you learn so many songs
Some are light and some are blue
I could paint a picture singing with you
Singing with you
The Matchcoats's song "Coming Up" is a nostalgic and reflective piece that captures the essence of growing up and the passage of time. The opening lines, "Oh, we move along in life, you learn so many songs," suggest that life is a long journey with many experiences that shape us into who we are. Some experiences are joyful and some are sorrowful, and music serves as a universal language that can convey the emotions associated with these experiences.
The first verse describes the playful nature of childhood, with the image of climbing an old oak tree and riding a little horsey. The second verse focuses on the desire to grow up and become a man or a lady, but it's clear that the singer doesn't want to do it alone. They want to share their life with someone special and the repetition of "it'll be with you, baby, oh, don't you know?" emphasizes this desire.
The chorus ties everything together, with the idea that life is a collection of songs, both happy and sad, and sharing them with someone you love makes them all the more meaningful. The final line, "singing with you," shows that the true beauty of life is found in the connections we make with others.
Overall, "Coming Up" is a poignant reminder to cherish the present and the people we share our lives with, for time passes quickly and before we know it, we'll be looking back on our fondest memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, we move along
Life is constantly changing and we must go with the flow.
In life you learn so many songs
Life presents us with many experiences, both good and bad, that we can learn from.
Some are light and some are blue
Some experiences are happy and joyful while others are sad and difficult.
I could paint a picture singing with you
Together, we can create beauty and make something meaningful out of our experiences.
Coming up, I used to be a boy climbing on an old oak tree
As a child, I loved to live in the moment and enjoy the simple things in life like climbing trees.
Out on a limb, and skin a cat
I took risks and lived fearlessly, even if it meant getting hurt sometimes.
Life is good when you're living like that
Living freely and taking risks is what makes life exciting and fulfilling.
Coming up, I used to be a girl sittin' on my Daddy's knee
As a child, I found comfort and security in my family relationships.
Ride a little horsey down to town
I enjoyed the simple pleasures in life, like going on a horse ride with my family.
Ride a little horsey, don't fall down
Even though life can be unpredictable and scary, I was taught to be resilient and persevere through difficult times.
Grown up, I want to be a man singing this melody
As I grow older, I want to continue enjoying life and making music with those I love.
If I must be growing old
Growing older is inevitable, but it is important to maintain a positive attitude and enjoy life regardless.
It'll be with you, baby, oh, don't you know?
I want to share my life and my experiences with my loved one, and grow old together.
Grown up, I wanna be a lady singing harmony
As I mature, I want to find my place in life and contribute to something greater than myself.
And when I am old and grey
As life goes on, I will inevitably age and experience the challenges that come with it.
I'll have been with you, baby, all my days
But through it all, I will have my beloved with me, and that is all that matters.
Singing with you
Music is a powerful connector that can help us express our emotions and experiences, and I am grateful to share that with my loved ones.
Writer(s): Gabriel Nathaniel Akins
Contributed by Penelope B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.