Bonkers
The Squeeze Lyrics
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Stupidity conquers
Forgive me I know not what I do
The cunning behavior
Takes up every acre
Of emotional cage in the zoo
You know how it goes
The volcano blows
The words on the lips
The sticking out ribs
As I try to push my weight around
I'm sorry please witness
This act of forgiveness
It's all I can do for her to see
That I was the sad case
A mouse in the rat race
Won't somebody pass me the cheese
The size of her breasts
Like woodpeckers nests
Would comfort me on winter nights
The brains in my pants
Create milli amps
Of pleasure with seconds of delight
I'm bonkers believe me
A Federico Fellini
I'm swinging on the windmills of my mind
Where I have been ground down
I'm still walking down town
I'm leaving all this madness behind
Laid back on the couch
With me the old slouch
For an Oscar on the silent screen
There's no time to waste
As I fill my fat face
With a pizza slice and custard cream
I'm sorry I hurt you
I'm bonkers believe me
The lyrics of The Squeeze's song 'Bonkers' explore the themes of erratic behavior and the difficulty of controlling one's emotions. The opening line, "I know that I'm bonkers", sets the tone for the rest of the song, as the singer acknowledges their own mental instability. The line "stupidity conquers" suggests that in this state of mind, rationality and reason often give way to impulsiveness and foolishness. Despite this, the singer acknowledges their ignorance, asking for forgiveness and admitting to not knowing what they are doing.
The second stanza continues the theme of emotional turmoil, using the metaphor of an "emotional cage in the zoo". The volcano imagery in "the volcano blows" highlights the explosive nature of such emotions, which can suddenly erupt and cause havoc. The singer tries to assert themselves by "pushing their weight around", but ultimately reflects on their own sad state of being, feeling like a "mouse in the rat race". The line "won't somebody pass me the cheese" is a playful nod to the idiom, 'Who moved my cheese?', suggesting a sense of confusion and disorientation.
The final stanza sees the singer continuing to reflect on their own madness, likening themselves to "a Federico Fellini". The line "I'm swinging on the windmills of my mind" references the classic novel, 'Don Quixote', which focuses on the theme of madness and impossible dreams. The singer yearns to leave this madness behind, "leaving all this madness behind". However, the song ends on a somewhat humorous note, as the singer indulges in junk food and acknowledges that they are "bonkers".
Line by Line Meaning
I know that I'm bonkers
I am aware that my thoughts and actions are irrational and unstable
Stupidity conquers
My foolishness and recklessness prevails over reason and logic
Forgive me I know not what I do
I ask for forgiveness as I am unaware of the consequences of my actions
The cunning behavior
My deceitful and sly actions
Takes up every acre
It occupies every corner of my mind and being
Of emotional cage in the zoo
It confines my emotions like an animal in a cage
You know how it goes
As you are aware, this is a familiar situation
The volcano blows
My anger and frustration are erupting
Eruptions hold the duvet down
My outbursts of emotion are so strong that they weigh me down like a heavy blanket
The words on the lips
What I want to say but can't bring myself to express
The sticking out ribs
The physical manifestation of my anxiety and fear
As I try to push my weight around
I attempt to assert dominance through aggression
I'm sorry please witness
I apologize and ask you to witness my attempt at redemption
This act of forgiveness
What I am doing to make amends and seek forgiveness
It's all I can do for her to see
This is my only way of showing her that I am sorry
That I was the sad case
I admit that I was pathetic and pitiable
A mouse in the rat race
I was insignificant and struggling in a competitive and ruthless environment
Won't somebody pass me the cheese
I ask for help and support, as even a small victory would be appreciated
The size of her breasts
The physical attributes of a woman that I find attractive
Like woodpeckers nests
A metaphor for the shape and size of her breasts
Would comfort me on winter nights
Her breasts would provide warmth and security during cold and lonely nights
The brains in my pants
My sexual desires and impulses
Create milli amps
It generates tiny amounts of electricity, a metaphor for arousal
Of pleasure with seconds of delight
I experience moments of pleasure and satisfaction, but it is short-lived and ultimately unfulfilling
I'm bonkers believe me
I am genuinely crazy and unstable, please believe me
A Federico Fellini
A reference to the Italian film director who was known for surreal and bizarre films, indicating his own delusional thoughts and ideas
I'm swinging on the windmills of my mind
I am lost in my own thoughts and imagination, chasing unrealistic and impossible dreams
Where I have been ground down
Where I have been worn out and exhausted by life's challenges and disappointments
I'm still walking down town
I am still persevering and pushing forward, despite my mental state
I'm leaving all this madness behind
I am determined to move on and leave my irrational behavior and thoughts in the past
Laid back on the couch
Relaxed and comfortable
With me the old slouch
Being lazy and unproductive
For an Oscar on the silent screen
Fantasizing about being famous and successful for doing nothing
There's no time to waste
I need to act and make the most of my time, despite feeling unproductive
As I fill my fat face
Eating excessively and indulging in unhealthy habits
With a pizza slice and custard cream
Consuming unhealthy and indulgent food
I'm sorry I hurt you
I apologize for causing you harm or pain
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind