Innocence
maccoll kirsty Lyrics
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And it wouldn't take a genius to work out what the scene is
It might just take a pilot to give you a natural high
But you're sending off those bottle tops for your free piece of mind
And are you just waving or drowning?
It's so hard to tell when you're so far away
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
Your pornographic priestess left you for another guy
You frighten little children and you always wonder why
Always wonder why
The mercury is rising and it's not all that surprising
In the land of milk and honey where you make big money
And it always keeps the rain off and it always keeps you dry
But back home the people hate you and you never did know why
But I think I'm going to tell you
Just give me fifty thousand lire for my thoughts
Oh, innocence has passed you by a long, long time ago
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
The supermarket checkout girl once smacked you in the eye
When you eat no one else does but you always wonder why
Always wonder why
It would take a gunshot just to clear your head awhile
And after all this time how can you stand there
Look at me and smile?
Now are you just waving or drowning?
It's so hard to tell when you're so far away
Oh, innocence has passed you by a long, long time ago
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
Degeneration suits you, now I'm going home to cry
You won't be seeing me again but you'll always wonder why
Always wonder why
The song "Innocence" by Kirsty MacColl is a commentary on the commercialization of society and how it can lead to the loss of innocence. The lyrics touch on themes such as greed, materialism, and the search for meaning. The opening lines of the song suggest that the distance between two people can be bridged if they can see the scene and the problem for what it is. The reference to sending bottle tops for a free piece of mind highlights how society attempts to offer easy solutions to complex issues.
The chorus emphasizes the loss of innocence, which has happened a long time ago. The singer reminisces being a fly on the wall, observing someone who has lost their way. The pornographic priestess leaving for another guy is a metaphor for how people can be consumed by materialism and superficiality, and the constant search for fulfillment may leave them feeling empty.
The verses describe the effects of commercialism on society, with references to the land of milk and honey, big money, and the rain that always keeps you dry. However, the singer contrasts this with the hatred that people have for the person in question. The song ends with the lines "Degeneration suits you, now I'm going home to cry / You won't be seeing me again but you'll always wonder why", which suggest that the singer has given up on the person and that their loss of innocence is irreversible.
Line by Line Meaning
It wouldn't take a long time to explain what lies between us
Our issues are not complex enough to require a long explanation
And it wouldn't take a genius to work out what the scene is
The situation is obvious and easily understood
It might just take a pilot to give you a natural high
Flying makes you feel alive and free
But you're sending off those bottle tops for your free piece of mind
You are trying to find peace of mind through promotions and gimmicks
And are you just waving or drowning?
I can't tell if you're okay or struggling
It's so hard to tell when you're so far away
Your distance makes it hard to read your emotions
Oh, innocence has passed you by a long, long time ago
You've lost your innocence a while ago
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
I witnessed what you know and do
Your pornographic priestess left you for another guy
Someone you trusted betrayed you for someone else
You frighten little children and you always wonder why
Your actions have negative consequences and you don't understand why
The mercury is rising and it's not all that surprising
Temperatures are rising and it's expected
In the land of milk and honey where you make big money
You live in a prosperous place and make good money
And it always keeps the rain off and it always keeps you dry
Your material possessions provide comfort and security
But back home the people hate you and you never did know why
You are despised by those close to you and you don't understand why
But I think I'm going to tell you
I will reveal the truth to you
Just give me fifty thousand lire for my thoughts
You need to pay me to hear my honest opinion
The supermarket checkout girl once smacked you in the eye
You've done something to deserve being punished by someone much less powerful than you
When you eat no one else does but you always wonder why
You don't consider others when you do things and don't understand why they're upset
It would take a gunshot just to clear your head awhile
You need a jolt to break free of your thoughts
And after all this time how can you stand there
After all that has happened, you remain unchanged and idle
Look at me and smile?
Are you really happy, or just pretending to be?
Degeneration suits you, now I'm going home to cry
You are comfortable with your decline, but it saddens me
You won't be seeing me again but you'll always wonder why
You won't understand why I left
Always wonder why
You will always be confused about the things happening to you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KIRSTY ANNA MAC COLL, PETER WILFRED GLENISTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richardtay143
"It might take a gunshot just to clear your head away". what a great lyric! And a great album. Kirsty MacColl, the Queen of Brit-pop.
@anthonybrady-lb5ve
Absolutely well said. A fabulous song. Kirstys personality shines through❤❤❤
@vinylwish
I think this upload has used the album version of the song by mistake rather than the single version which was on the original video
@canaldobaianooficial5027
Show ❤❤❤❤❤