Golden Guy
The Residents Lyrics


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There was a Golden Guy, there was a Golden Guy
I loved to watch him fly, in the golden sky
There was a Golden Guy, there was a Golden Guy
I loved to watch him fly, in the golden sky
The Golden Guy was upper case, the Golden Guy was in first place
The Golden Guy was holding all the aces
The Golden Guy was in the news, the Golden Guy was blue suede shoes
The Golden Guy was secret rendezvous
The Golden Guy was samurai, the Golden Guy was legal high
The Golden eyes was infinitely white
The Golden Guy was French champagne, the Golden Guy was summer rain
The Golden Guy invented the fast lane
The Golden Guy was easy street sitting in the catbird's seat
The Golden Guy was melt-in-your-mouth meat




The Golden Guy could cast a spell, the Golden Guy was wedding bells
The Golden Guy had a voice like Elvis

Overall Meaning

Presley's shell
The Golden Guy was always there, the Golden Guy had golden hair
The Golden Guy was like a solar flare


The lyrics to The Residents' song "Golden Guy" describe a mythical, larger-than-life figure who embodies success, glamour, and charisma. The song presents a laundry list of the Golden Guy's many attributes, from his upper-case status to his French champagne and summer rain. The Golden Guy is portrayed as a kind of superhero, possessing almost magical powers that enable him to ride the "fast lane" and cast spells on those around him. At the same time, however, the lyrics suggest a certain degree of ambiguity and complexity surrounding the Golden Guy's character. He is described as holding "secret rendezvous," for instance, and samurai imagery hints at his potentially violent or dangerous side. Meanwhile, the song's repeated refrain - "there was a Golden Guy, there was a Golden Guy, I loved to watch him fly, in the golden sky" - suggests a desire on the part of the singer to emulate or participate in the Golden Guy's world, even as that world remains remote and unattainable.


Overall, "Golden Guy" can be read as a commentary on the celebrity culture of the 20th century and beyond - a world in which the rich and famous are elevated to almost mythic status, becoming the subject of endless fascination and adoration. The song suggests that this fascination is tinged with a certain degree of fear and awe, as well as a longing to be part of the glamorous world the Golden Guy inhabits. At the same time, however, the song's hints at the Golden Guy's darker aspects - his secrets and potential violence - suggest a sense of caution and skepticism about the power of celebrity.


Line by Line Meaning

There was a Golden Guy, there was a Golden Guy
The subject of the song is a person known as the Golden Guy, who is mentioned twice to emphasize his importance.


I loved to watch him fly, in the golden sky
The singer admires the Golden Guy and is amazed by his abilities, which allow him to fly through the sky.


The Golden Guy was upper case, the Golden Guy was in first place
The Golden Guy is described as being in a position of power or authority, as indicated by his uppercase name and his ranking in first place.


The Golden Guy was holding all the aces
The Golden Guy is in control of the situation and has all the advantages or resources necessary to win.


The Golden Guy was in the news, the Golden Guy was blue suede shoes
The Golden Guy is a celebrity or public figure, as indicated by his appearance in the news, and he is known for his flashy style and fashion sense, represented by his blue suede shoes.


The Golden Guy was secret rendezvous
The Golden Guy is involved in clandestine or secretive meetings or affairs.


The Golden Guy was samurai, the Golden Guy was legal high
The Golden Guy is associated with both the tradition and discipline of a samurai and the sensation of being under the influence of a legal high drug.


The Golden eyes was infinitely white
The Golden Guy's eyes are described as being an incredibly bright and striking golden color.


The Golden Guy was French champagne, the Golden Guy was summer rain
The Golden Guy is associated with both the luxury and sophistication of French champagne and the freshness and cleansing qualities of summer rain.


The Golden Guy invented the fast lane
The Golden Guy is credited with creating or popularizing the concept of the fast lane, which is associated with speed, excitement, and risk-taking.


The Golden Guy was easy street sitting in the catbird's seat
The Golden Guy is in a position of comfort and advantage, represented by the idiom 'easy street', and in a position of power and control, represented by the idiom 'catbird's seat'.


The Golden Guy was melt-in-your-mouth meat
The Golden Guy is associated with the idea of extreme tenderness and succulence, as represented by the phrase 'melt-in-your-mouth'.


The Golden Guy could cast a spell, the Golden Guy was wedding bells
The Golden Guy possesses a magical or enchanting quality that can cause people to become spellbound, and also has an association with the joyous occasion of weddings.


The Golden Guy had a voice like Elvis
The Golden Guy's speaking or singing voice is compared to the distinctive and iconic voice of Elvis Presley, a famous singer from the mid-twentieth century.




Contributed by Jayden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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