Selfish
Toto Lyrics


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Ashes to ashes
That's how it ends
(You go from) heartache to heartache
As you make amends
(Just) bigger and bigger
But two steps back
You want something from nothing
And you're so exact

You think you're a rich man
Now you misbehave
You're not a free man running
Just a comfortable slave

So selfish
You got more than you can use
But you still don't see
You're so selfish
And you're running out of room

Deeper and deeper
As you forge ahead
Higher and higher
But you've been mislead
Harder and harder
You grind the stone
Faster faster faster
Till you're skin and bones

Too much ambition
Without relief
That ain't heaven
But it's what you teach

So selfish
You got more than you can use
But you still don't see
You're so selfish
And you're running out of room

The world was made in seven days
Your heads are bowed to Gods in praise
Civilized man can only be saved
When courage and wisdom are finally raised

Who's got the answer
Give me the cure
Don't rush to judgment
Until you're sure

So selfish
You got more than you can use
But you still don't see




You're so selfish
And you're running out of room

Overall Meaning

In "Selfish," Toto narrates the story of a man who is so consumed by his greed and ambition that he becomes blind to the fact that he already has everything he needs. The song starts by depicting the cyclical nature of the character's life. He goes from one heartache to another, always trying to make amends, yet always taking steps back. Despite achieving success and financial stability, he is never satisfied and always wants more. The second verse describes the toll this relentless pursuit has taken on his life. He is not a free man, but a slave to his comfort and possessions. He is running out of room to store them all but is still unable to see that his desires are self-destructive.


Ultimately, the song's underlying message is that excessive greed and ambition are at odds with living a fulfilling life. This idea is emphasized in the final verse, where Toto challenges listeners to seek courage and wisdom instead of material possessions because those are the qualities that can truly save us. The song's repetition of "so selfish" serves as an admonition to the man in the story, as well as a broader comment on a culture that values hoarding wealth and possessions over meaningful connections with others.


Line by Line Meaning

Ashes to ashes
Life ends in death


That's how it ends
Death is inevitable


(You go from) heartache to heartache
Life is filled with ups and downs


As you make amends
Trying to fix mistakes that were made in the past


(Just) bigger and bigger
Seemingly making progress in life


But two steps back
Going backwards despite progress made


You want something from nothing
Expecting results without putting in effort


And you're so exact
Having unrealistic expectations


You think you're a rich man
Feeling wealthy despite not having much


Now you misbehave
Acting inappropriately


You're not a free man running
Feeling trapped in current situation


Just a comfortable slave
Stuck in a comfortable yet unfulfilling lifestyle


So selfish
Only thinking about oneself


You got more than you can use
Having excess possessions


But you still don't see
Not realizing how much one has


And you're running out of room
Running out of physical space to store possessions


Deeper and deeper
Getting more involved in something


As you forge ahead
Continuing to move forward despite obstacles


Higher and higher
Reaching new heights


But you've been mislead
Being led astray


Harder and harder
Working harder and harder


You grind the stone
Continuing to work tirelessly


Faster faster faster
Working at a faster pace


Till you're skin and bones
Working yourself to exhaustion


Too much ambition
Having too many goals


Without relief
Not being able to rest


That ain't heaven
The current situation is not ideal


But it's what you teach
The current situation is a result of personal choices/actions


The world was made in seven days
The world was created quickly


Your heads are bowed to Gods in praise
People worshiping their beliefs


Civilized man can only be saved
Humanity can only progress so much


When courage and wisdom are finally raised
Humanity needs to value bravery and intelligence to truly succeed


Who's got the answer
Asking for a solution


Give me the cure
Looking for a remedy


Don't rush to judgment
Avoid making quick decisions


Until you're sure
Make informed decisions after careful consideration




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Denis S. Pratt


on Take My Hand

Beautiful rendition of a reconciling moment that my mother and I will lay to rest.

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