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I'm Allowed Lyrics

Waited for an answer
But I waited for twenty five years
They stopped my bleeding
But could never stop all these tears

I waited for the day when
You came out from beneath all that weight
I tried to lift it
But it seems I got there too
Late
Just to late
Just to late
Cause I'm allowed

Came to the party
But I got my own signals crossed
Thought I was welcome
But I felt like I should get lost

I know that I'm older
Cause I feel that everywhere
I could talk to no one
Cause I knew not one person
There
No one's there
They just stare
But they're allowed

As vivid as a car wreck
Watch them dripping off highway ramps
She came to me smiling
Her heart underneath both her hands

She spoke of a French boy
At least two times through the night
It could have been the liquor
Or the music but that is
All right
That's all right
She's allowed
I'm allowed
I'm allowed
I'm allowed
Song Info
Submitted by
one Hit Wonder On Jun 17, 2002
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3 Meanings

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Cover art for I'm Allowed lyrics by Buffalo Tom

One of the best songs of the 90's. Underrated in every way. It's an immaculate piece of work.

Cover art for I'm Allowed lyrics by Buffalo Tom

There's a lot of uncertainty after you graduate college and become a young adult. Earlier in life it always seem like there was somebody who could guide you or would tell you what to do. Then you realize in your twenties there's no one there to guide you, and you're allowed to do anything but that doesn't always mean that you can get what you want. Maybe it's because this album came out in my early twenties I always associated with the uncertainties of being a young adult and wondering how my life was going to turn out. Regardless of how you look at it., the song is a real gem

My Interpretation
Cover art for I'm Allowed lyrics by Buffalo Tom

This song touches me every time. I didn't get the meaning of 'being allowed' when I heard it back in the 90s, but I guess it's something like allowed to drink, drive, etc. In other words: he's a grown-up now. What I like about the lyrics is that he sings from the first-person perspective in 'Waited for an answer. But I waited for twenty five years' and then switches to 'I waited for the day when you came out from beneath all that weight'. It looks like he's addressing himself in these lines, so the perspective becomes a bit vague, but in a likeable way. And then the 'came to a party'-part, what's that about? Looks like the 'party' is figurative way of describing all the cool stuff he was promised as a kid for once he would become an adult. In reality he doesn't have a clue and feels awkward and depressed. Still though, there seems to have been a real party when you look at the last part: 'She spoke of a French boy. At least two times through the night. It could have been the liquor, or the music but that is all right.' So there you have it: an amazing coming-of-age story in a few lines of text being carried by chords, melody and voice. Love it every freaking time again.