Stuck
The Stealers Wheels 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
And 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 “Stuck in the Middle With You” depicts the apprehension of someone who finds themselves in the midst of a tricky situation. The opening lines set the tone for the song - the singer has come to a gathering where they feel out of place and apprehensive. The use of the chair as an example of something they could potentially fall off of suggests that the individual is not comfortable in their surroundings. Being stuck in the middle is most likely a metaphor for being in a difficult position with no clear means of escape. The clowns on their left and the jokers on their right could symbolize the difficult or untrustworthy people that have surrounded our protagonist. As the individual lyrics indicate, it seems like they can’t make sense of the situation and they’re not sure which way to turn.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase “stuck in the middle with you” emphasizes that the singer is in a tricky place, and doesn’t seem to have a clear means of escape. While the tone of the song is apprehensive, it is upbeat and almost jolly with its music. This juxtaposition is a common technique in music - where the lyrics can mean something completely different from the tone of the music itself.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I don't know why I came here tonight
I am unsure of the reason I arrived here
I got the feeling that something ain't right
I have a sense that something is off
I'm so scared in case I fall off my chair
I am fearful that I may topple over my seat
And I'm wondering how I'll get down the stairs
I am uncertain of how I will descend the staircase
Clowns to the left of me
Amidst me, there are buffoons
Jokers to the right, here I am
I find myself among pranksters
Stuck in the middle with you
I am in a situation with you that I cannot escape
Yes, I'm stuck in the middle with you
I am indeed entangled with you
And I'm wondering what it is I should do
I am pondering on how I should proceed
It's so hard to keep this smile from my face
It is difficult to restrain a smile from forming on my countenance
Losing control, yeah, I'm all over the place
I am deteriorating in my command; erratic in my actions
Well, you started out with nothing
You commenced with no valuable possessions
And you're proud that you're a self-made man
You take pleasure in the fact that you have earned your way
And your friends, they all come crawlin'
Your associates humble themselves in your presence
Slap you on the back and say, 'Please, please!'
They enthusiastically commend you for your achievements
Trying to make some sense of it all
I am endeavoring to comprehend this predicament
But I can see that it makes no sense at all
I can perceive that it is completely irrational
Is it cool to go to sleep on the floor
Would it be socially acceptable to slumber on the ground?
'Cause I don't think that I can take anymore
I am not confident that I can handle any further events
Stuck in the middle with you
I am trapped here with you
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
This is where I find myself, enmeshed with you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gerald Rafferty, Joe Egan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind