Poor Boy
byrne david and brian eno Lyrics
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Friends face the future, they're wearing summer clothes
Great cosmic forces, like falling dominoes
I love talking funny, it's the only song I know
Sweet smart and sexy, the day my life began
Burnt out and damaged, I dragged my body home
This slice is runny, it's dripping down my clothes
Flies stick to honey, it's the only game they know
Poor Boy, I walk into the river in my hat and shoes
Poor Boy, I'm sitting at the table with a knife and spoon
Life fast die happy, don't let your panties show
They trust market forces, it's the only song they know
So come and rock my soul, where sin and sorry lie
White horses carry me, unto the other side
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where my thoughts are cold
Poor boy, I'm waiting for the harvest of the seeds I sow
A flower in the night, with thoughts of days gone by
I've got to ring that bell, and I'll be satisfied
Poor boy, I'm wearing silver slippers and a long white gown
Poor boy, I picture in my mind the day the walls come down
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where I'm never free
Poor boy, I'm writing down the names of all the things I see
The lyrics of "Poor Boy" by David Byrne and Brian Eno are a mix of abstract imagery and social commentary. The song appears to be a commentary on modern society, where people feel trapped and disconnected from each other. The first verse talks about a truck parked outside a grocery store and friends facing the future in summer clothes. There is a sense of hope and optimism here, as if the singer is trying to hold onto a sense of joy in the face of an uncertain future.
The second verse takes a darker turn, with lyrics about burnt out and damaged bodies, and flies sticking to honey. The tone here is more cynical, as if the singer is commenting on the futility of life and the inevitability of death. The chorus repeats the phrase "Poor Boy," which could be a reference to the struggles of the working class or a metaphor for the singer's own struggles.
The third verse introduces more mystical imagery, with lyrics about sin and white horses carrying the singer to the other side. There is a sense of longing here, as if the singer is yearning for something beyond the mundane world. The fourth verse returns to more concrete imagery, with a flower in the night and the singer ringing a bell.
Overall, "Poor Boy" is a complex and multi-layered song with a mix of personal and social themes. The lyrics are open to interpretation and invite the listener to find their own meaning in the words.
Line by Line Meaning
A truck parked this morning, outside the grocery store
As I looked out of the window this morning, I saw a truck outside the grocery store.
Friends face the future, they're wearing summer clothes
My friends are ready to embrace the future, dressed comfortably in summer clothes.
Great cosmic forces, like falling dominoes
The movements of the universe are like the sequence of falling dominoes, each connected to the other.
I love talking funny, it's the only song I know
I enjoy speaking in a humorous way, it's my unique way of expressing myself.
Sweet smart and sexy, the day my life began
When I was first born, I was sweet, intelligent and attractive.
Burnt out and damaged, I dragged my body home
After experiencing too much stress and being injured, I sluggishly made my way back home.
This slice is runny, it's dripping down my clothes
The slice of food I am eating is soft and dripping, staining my clothes.
Flies stick to honey, it's the only game they know
Flies are attracted to the sweetness of honey, and that's the only thing they can think of.
Poor Boy, I walk into the river in my hat and shoes
I am a poor boy who walks straight into the river, still wearing my hat and shoes.
Poor Boy, I'm sitting at the table with a knife and spoon
I am a poor boy who sits down at a table, with only a knife and spoon for company.
Life fast die happy, don't let your panties show
Live life quickly and happily, without revealing too much of yourself.
They trust market forces, it's the only song they know
They believe that market forces are the only answer, and that's the only solution they can think of.
So come and rock my soul, where sin and sorry lie
Please come and uplift my spirit, where there is lots of guilt and regret.
White horses carry me, unto the other side
I imagine being carried across by white horses into the afterlife.
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where my thoughts are cold
I am a poor boy who resides in a country where my thoughts are not valued, and are dismissed as insignificant.
Poor boy, I'm waiting for the harvest of the seeds I sow
I am a poor boy who is patiently awaiting the results of all the hard work I've put in.
A flower in the night, with thoughts of days gone by
As I observe a flower at night, it reminds me of the days that have already passed.
I've got to ring that bell, and I'll be satisfied
I feel that I must achieve something important, and only then will I feel content.
Poor boy, I'm wearing silver slippers and a long white gown
I am a poor boy who is wearing fancy silver slippers and a long white gown, despite my financial difficulties.
Poor boy, I picture in my mind the day the walls come down
I am a poor boy who often pictures in my mind the day when all obstacles will be removed.
Poor boy, I'm living in a country where I'm never free
I am a poor boy who lives in a country where I experience a sense of constraint, and never truly feel free.
Poor boy, I'm writing down the names of all the things I see
As a poor boy, I document and remember everything I observe and experience, even the smallest details.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC.
Written by: BRIAN ENO, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind