Perhaps the most popular use of the song would be the infamous ear-cutting scene from the film Reservoir Dogs.
Stuck In The Middle With You
The Stealers Wheel Lyrics
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I got the feeling that something ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face,
Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place,
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
Well you started out with nothing,
And you're proud that you're a self made man,
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Slap you on the back and say,
Please, please
Trying to make some sense of it all,
But I can see that it makes no sense at all,
Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor,
'Cause I don't think that I can take anymore
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
Well you started out with nothing,
And you're proud that you're a self made man,
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Slap you on the back and say,
Please, please
Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
I got the feeling that something ain't right,
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,
Clowns to the left of me,
Jokers to the right, here I am,
Stuck in the middle with you,
Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
Stuck in the middle with you, here I am stuck in the middle with you
The Stealers Wheel's song "Stuck in the middle with you" is a classic rock hit from 1972 that has remained popular today due to its catchy tune and relatable lyrics. The song describes the feeling of being stuck in a situation where you don't know what to do next, surrounded by people you don't trust or respect. The clowns and jokers mentioned in the song serve as symbols of the people who are causing the singer's discomfort, while the chair and stairs represent the physical obstacles he must overcome.
Throughout the song, the lyrics portray the singer as someone who is struggling to make sense of his surroundings and his place in them. He feels overwhelmed and out of control, yet he's still trying to keep a smile on his face. The line "Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor?" suggests that the singer is at the end of his rope and doesn't know if he can handle any more stress. Despite these challenges, the singer is still stuck in the middle with the clowns and jokers surrounding him.
The song has resonated with listeners for decades because it captures the feeling of being trapped in a situation that you can't escape from. Whether it's a dysfunctional relationship, a dead-end job, or a difficult family situation, everyone can relate to feeling stuck at some point in their lives. The Stealers Wheel's song expresses that feeling in a way that is both entertaining and relatable, making it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by new generations of listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I don't know why I came here tonight,
I am uncertain about my decision to come to this place at this time.
I got the feeling that something ain't right,
I have a sense of unease and believe that something is wrong.
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair,
I am terrified that I might lose control and fall out of my seat.
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs,
I am concerned about my ability to safely make my way down the stairs.
Clowns to the left of me,
There are foolish and ridiculous people surrounding me on my left side.
Jokers to the right, here I am,
There are people who are playing games and not taking things seriously surrounding me on my right side.
Stuck in the middle with you
I am trapped and unable to escape this situation that I am in with you.
Yes I'm stuck in the middle with you,
I am still trapped and unable to escape this situation that I am in with you.
And I'm wondering what it is I should do,
I am uncertain about the correct course of action to take in this situation.
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face,
I am finding it difficult to maintain a facade of happiness and keep a smile on my face.
Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place,
I am struggling to stay composed and am beginning to lose my self-control.
Well you started out with nothing,
You began with very little to your name and nothing to rely on.
And you're proud that you're a self made man,
You have worked hard to achieve your success and take great pride in being a self-made individual.
And your friends, they all come crawlin,
Your acquaintances come to you when they are in need or need something from you.
Slap you on the back and say, Please, please
They approach you in a friendly manner and make requests of you.
Trying to make some sense of it all,
I am attempting to find meaning or reason in the situation that I am presently in.
But I can see that it makes no sense at all,
I realize that the situation is illogical and nonsensical.
Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor,
I am questioning whether or not it is acceptable or even safe to sleep on the ground.
'Cause I don't think that I can take anymore
I have reached my breaking point and am unsure if I can endure any more of this situation.
Stuck in the middle with you,
I am still trapped and unable to escape this situation that I am in with you.
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
I am still in the same position, unable to escape this situation with you.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GERALD RAFFERTY, JOE EGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind