I got home this morning
With the sun right in my eyes
And there was no warning
Yes, it took me by surprise
As it hit me like an act of God
Causing my alarm
That I had not become a cephalopod
I still had legs and arms
Yes, I still had legs and arms

And today was supposed to be the day
Molecules decide to change their form
Laws of physics lose their sway
And youthful indiscretion now is suddenly the norm
With the good kids sprouting horns
Yeah, yeah

And today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Was supposed to be
Today was supposed to be opposite day

Those who can't quite function
In society at large
They're going to wake up on this morning
And find that they're in charge
While those the world's set up for
Who are really doing quite well
They're gonna wake up in institutions
In prison or in hell
In prison or in hell

And today was supposed to be the day
Molecules decide to change their form
Laws of physics lose their sway
And youthful indiscretion now is suddenly the norm
With the good kids sprouting horns
Yeah, yeah

And today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Today was supposed to be
Not just another day
Was supposed to be
Today was supposed to be opposite day

But if you think there's something else
Well, you're right
There is, there's something else
But if you think I'm gonna tell you, think again
Why should I even think of telling you what there is
Yeah, 'cause silence is knowledge and knowledge is power
I'm under explicit orders to dare not speak it's name
Listen up, I just work here, oh, I dare not speak it's name
I can't keep talking about it, oh, I dare not speak it's name


Lyrics submitted by bootu

Opposite Day Lyrics as written by Andrew Wegman Bird

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

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Opposite Day song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    I think the part about the cephalopod is a reference to The Metamorphosis, and the idea of suddenly turning into a bizarre creature.

    I hear "Today was supposed to be just another day". There doesn't seem to be a "not" in there anywhere, although that's what the lyrics say and that's obviously what it means.

    teiladnamon May 25, 2006   Link

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