I Should Be Allowed to Think
They Might Be Giants Lyrics


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I saw the best minds of my generation
Destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical
I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think

I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea
If by random whim, one occurs to me
If necessary, leave paper stains on the gray utility pole

I saw the worst bands of my generation
Applied by magic marker to dry wall
I should be allowed to shoot my mouth off
I should have a call in show

I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea
If by random whim, one occurs to me
If necessary, leave paper stains on the gray utility pole

I am not allowed
To ever come up with a single original thought
I am not allowed
To meet the criminal government agent who oppresses me

I was the worst hope of my generation
Destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical
I should be allowed to share my feelings




I should be allowed to feel

I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
I should be allowed to think
And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea
If by random whim one occurs to me
But sadly, this can never be

I am not allowed to think
I am not allowed to think
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)

Overall Meaning

"They Might Be Giants's" song "I Should Be Allowed to Think" is a commentary on the freedom of expression and thought. The lyrics, "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical" are taken from the first line of "Howl," a poem by Allen Ginsberg about the frustration of artists in America during the post-war era. The line is a reflection of the frustration the singer (and likely the band) feels at the limitations imposed on their thoughts and expression.


The chorus, "I should be allowed to glue my poster, I should be allowed to think," is a statement of the singer's desire to express themselves freely. The poster symbolizes the singer’s desire to share their ideas and opinions, while the concept of "thinking" is a fundamental human right that they do not feel they have been granted. The following lines, "And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea if by random whim, one occurs to me," highlights the idea that censorship and limitation of thought can prevent important ideas from being shared.


The second verse, "I saw the worst bands of my generation applied by magic marker to drywall, I should be allowed to shoot my mouth off, I should have a call-in show," is a critique of the music industry and their limitations on creative expression. The singer advocates for their right to speak freely and be heard, just as other artists do. The song ends with the poignant lines, "But sadly, this can never be. I am not allowed to think," emphasizing the idea that censorship can stifle human progress and creativity.


Overall, "I Should Be Allowed to Think" is a thoughtful and powerful commentary on the importance of free expression and thought. It highlights the frustration many artists and thinkers feel when they are limited by imposed boundaries, and advocates for the importance of being able to express oneself freely.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw the best minds of my generation Destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical
I have witnessed the brightest and most creative people suffer from mental illness, malnutrition, and extreme emotional distress.


I should be allowed to glue my poster
I should have the freedom to display my personal interests by putting up posters.


I should be allowed to think
I should have the right to think and express my ideas without fear of repression or punishment.


And I should be allowed to blurt the merest idea If by random whim, one occurs to me If necessary, leave paper stains on the gray utility pole
I should be able to spontaneously express even the slightest idea that comes to mind, and I am willing to leave evidence of it in public spaces.


I saw the worst bands of my generation Applied by magic marker to dry wall
I have seen mediocre musicians promote themselves by vandalizing walls with markers.


I should be allowed to shoot my mouth off I should have a call in show
I should be able to express my opinions loudly and openly, perhaps even on a public broadcast platform.


I am not allowed To ever come up with a single original thought I am not allowed To meet the criminal government agent who oppresses me
I feel restricted in my ability to think and create, and I am unable to confront the oppressive government agent who is responsible for this.


I was the worst hope of my generation Destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical
I, too, have suffered from mental illness, hunger, and extreme emotional stress, leading to disappointment in myself and my peers.


I should be allowed to share my feelings I should be allowed to feel
I should be able to openly express my emotions and have the right to experience them without repression or shame.


But sadly, this can never be
Despite my desires and beliefs, I do not see a future where I will have full freedom of thought and expression.


I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think) I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think) I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think) I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think) I am not allowed to think (I am not allowed to think)
I repeat that I am not allowed to think in order to emphasize the suffocating limitations on my personal freedom and creativity.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN FLANSBURGH, JOHN LINNELL, JOHN C. FLANSBURGH, JOHN S. LINNELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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