Wizard
Tommy Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

one for all
and slowly all for themselves
legislate
your way out of that
npd
a presidential malady
evil is
what evil does

caught a glimpse in the mirror
and what did you see
hooves and horns lead the way
in the land of the free
something happened to someone
then everything fell
now the wizard of oz
keep us under his spell
under his spell
the wizard of oz

well preserved
no-one can lead you by the nose
imperious
just like the emperors of old
ill-advised
and off the top of your head
words get weird
and the mouth gets weirder still

caught a glimpse in the mirror
and what did you see
hooves and horns lead the way
in the land of the free
something happened to someone
then everything fell
now the wizard of oz
keep us under his spell
under his spell
the wizard of oz
the wizard of oz
the wizard of oz
keep us under his spell

flowers need water
dog needs a walk
stuff we should address
but then we'd have to talk
saving up laughter
keeping it real
fake it 'til you make it
the old familiar deal
want to do good things
be a positive force




but something inside me
always make me feel remorse

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Tommy's song "Wizard" describe a situation where individuals prioritize their own interests over the collective good. The phrase "one for all and slowly all for themselves" suggests a shift towards self-centeredness. The line "legislate your way out of that" implies an attempt to use laws and regulations to solve these problems, but it may not be effective. The mention of NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder) and a presidential malady suggests a critique of political leaders who prioritize their own ego and personal gain.


The lyrics highlight the consequences of this self-centered attitude. The phrase "evil is what evil does" emphasizes that selfish actions lead to negative outcomes. The references to a glimpse in the mirror and seeing hooves and horns suggest a metaphorical transformation into a devilish figure. This image symbolizes the corrupting influence of power and how those in control can manipulate and deceive others.


The chorus mentions the "Wizard of Oz" as a metaphorical representation of those in power who keep society under their spell. This refers to the manipulative nature of leaders who maintain control by deceiving and distracting people from the real issues at hand. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and a desire for change, but also a recognition of the difficulty in breaking free from this spell.


Line by Line Meaning

one for all
Unity and cooperation among individuals


and slowly all for themselves
Gradual shift towards self-centeredness and individualism


legislate
Attempting to solve problems through laws and regulations


your way out of that
Relying solely on legislation to address complex issues


npd
Narcissistic Personality Disorder, a mental health condition characterized by a lack of empathy and inflated self-importance


a presidential malady
Referring to the presence of narcissism within political leadership


evil is
The actions and behaviors driven by malice


what evil does
The consequences and impact of evil actions


caught a glimpse in the mirror
Self-reflection and realization


and what did you see
The revelation of one's true nature


hooves and horns lead the way
Symbolic representation of deceit and corrupted power


in the land of the free
Referring to a country with supposed freedom and democracy


something happened to someone
An event or incident impacting an individual


then everything fell
The subsequent downfall or negative consequences


now the wizard of oz
Metaphor for a manipulative and controlling figure


keep us under his spell
Being influenced, controlled, or manipulated by this figure


well preserved
Maintaining a facade or appearance of stability and power


no-one can lead you by the nose
Being resistant to manipulation and control by others


imperious
Exhibiting an arrogant and commanding attitude


just like the emperors of old
Similar to historical figures who held absolute power


ill-advised
Making decisions without proper thought or consideration


and off the top of your head
Decisions made impulsively or without careful consideration


words get weird
Speech and communication become distorted or misleading


and the mouth gets weirder still
Words spoken become increasingly bizarre or nonsensical


flowers need water
Acknowledging the basic needs and care required for living things


dog needs a walk
Responsibilities and obligations in taking care of pets


stuff we should address
Important matters that should be confronted and dealt with


but then we'd have to talk
Avoiding confrontation or difficult conversations


saving up laughter
Suppressing genuine joy or happiness


keeping it real
Maintaining authenticity and honesty


fake it 'til you make it
Pretending or putting on a false facade until success is achieved


the old familiar deal
The recurring pattern of pretending and faking


want to do good things
Having a desire to make positive contributions


be a positive force
Acting as an agent of positive change


but something inside me
An inner conflict or struggle


always make me feel remorse
Consistently experiencing regret or guilt




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Tommy Lorange Ottosen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

aibgrdK5sGAYrkfe2hYbVWNx5kL5HJFFm_UF_Qb4eEwXx9KVSe

Ever since I was a young boy
I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton
I must have played them all
But I ain't seen nothin' like him
In any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball

He stands like a statue
Becomes part of the machine
Feelin' all the bumpers
Always playing clean
He plays by intuition
The digit counters fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball

He's a pinball wizard
There has to be a twist
A pinball wizard
Got such a supple wrist

How do you think he does it?
I don't know
What makes him so good?

He ain't got no distractions
Can't hear those buzzers and bells
Don't see lights a-flashin'
He plays by sense of smell
Always has a replay
And never tilts at all
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball

He can't beat me now
I've always been the champ
I know every trick
No freak's gonna beat my hand

Even at my favorite table
He can beat my best
His disciples lead him in
And he just does the rest
He's got crazy flipper fingers
I've never seen him fall
That deaf dumb and blind kid
Sure plays a mean pinball

He's a pinball wizard
There has to be a twist
A pinball wizard
Got such a supple wrist

He's a pinball wizard
He's scoring even more
A pinball wizard
For the girls who dig pinball lore
He's scoring more
He's scoring more

I thought I was
The bally table king
But I just handed my
Pinball crown to him
To him
To him!



M Masque

Black Magic Woman. (Fleetwood Mac)
All Along the Watchtower. (Bob Dylan)
Hound Dog (Big Mama Thornton)
Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Barry)
Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room (Brownsville Station)
Cum on, Feel the Noise (also Brownsville Station)
Several songs by Carole King before she reclaimed them with “Tapestries”
Even Stairway to Heaven ( melody is from a blind harper from 17th/18th century Ireland; Turlough O’Carolan)
Covers being more popular than the originals is very common.



All comments from YouTube:

xmrtuvgs

I remember seeing this in the theater when it first came out.
It totally blew my mind. After the movie, I sat stunned waiting for my parents to pick me up, take me home.
In those moments, I knew my life would never be the same again.
I became a lifelong musician, and at 61, I still play keyboards in a rock band.

frankthespank

But do you play a mean pinball?

xmrtuvgs

@frankthespank I play a sort of Aggressive pinball, but not quite mean. LOL
I do get pretty physically/vocally expressive. 
Feet firmly planted, hips and shoulders moving wildly, and hands on the machine, both pressing the buttons like a mad man, and bumping the table, trying to make the ball do my bidding.
What I lack, is any kind of coherent strategy, just trying to get the ball to hit as many things as I can, and keep it from going down the chute.
What an amazing invention!

michael gwyn davies

I know just how you feel. but did you ever feel the need to trash your keyboard, and or drum kit, guitar be it base or lead or do other members just lead you to a pinball machine, he has crazy little fingers after all, How do think he does it ?

Anthony Forte

@michael gwyn davies Idk

michael gwyn davies

@Anthony Forte explain idk please or just call me daft no freaks going to beat my hand,damn he is just breaking every damn rule. Goodnight.

33 More Replies...

Brad Evenson

Can we take 5 minutes and 8 seconds to appreciate how great the 70's were?

Chat GPT

Indeed, there's something about this era and Elton in particular that really makes you live the moment. Elton all but owned the 1970's and his songs comprised about half of the airtime in Los Angeles in the early/mid-70's. I was once waiting for a flight at LAX around 1973 when I was 14 and remember a very large number of females quickly running down the concourse screaming "Elton's here"!

Linjica Konikon

The 70s were an abyssal ghetto of culture.

Chat GPT

@Linjica Konikon if you mean people weren't self-congratulating themselves every minute of every day for bringing up the value of select cultural groups over others, you'd be right.

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