In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Oh boredom is so terrible, it's like a dread disease
Nothing could be worse than when there's nothing on TV
I'd rather be a cowboy than to stare blank at the walls
I've been reborn so many times, I can't remember them all
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Just like someone on TV
I think I'll be a teddy boy, I think I'll be a hunk
I think I'll be a tough guy and I think I'll be a punk
I might just be a fashion star all dressed in frilly rags
Or perhaps, I'll cross the other side and walk around in drag!
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Just like somebody on TV
Do you like to be just like a rock
In the middle of the sea
Do you want to suffer by yourself
In a pool of blissful misery
Do you want to feel like a saint in artists' clothes
With a rosary in your hand
Do you wanna be crazy like Van Gogh
Like a stranger in a strange, strange land
Would you rather push the buttons
And be feared by all humanity
Or perhaps you'd like to be a bum
Do you wanna be stupid, just like me
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Just like somebody on TV
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Oh boredom is so terrible, it's like a dread disease
Nothing could be worse than when there's nothing on TV
I'd rather be a cowboy than to stare blank at the walls
I've been reborn so many times, I can't remember them all
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Just like someone on TV
I think I'll be a teddy boy, I think I'll be a hunk
I think I'll be a tough guy and I think I'll be a punk
I might just be a fashion star all dressed in frilly rags
Or perhaps, I'll cross the other side and walk around in drag!
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Just like somebody on TV
Do you like to be just like a rock
In the middle of the sea
Do you want to suffer by yourself
In a pool of blissful misery
Do you want to feel like a saint in artists' clothes
With a rosary in your hand
Do you wanna be crazy like Van Gogh
Like a stranger in a strange, strange land
Would you rather push the buttons
And be feared by all humanity
Or perhaps you'd like to be a bum
Do you wanna be stupid, just like me
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Do you want to be just like someone on TV?
Just like somebody on TV
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Who do you want to be today?
Who do you want to be?
Lyrics submitted by cactusdave
Who Do You Want to Be Lyrics as written by Danny Elfman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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hey no comments.. I love oingo boing even tho they broke up before i was born and I love the work that elfman does with Burton they make an awesome duo and make great movies