Ebony beauty, passed this shade
The looking glass, reflects
Then a voice, calls me back
This is just circumstance; it is not personal
Oh no, it never is
Then you ram your hand in your bag for a little friendly substance
By the time you're twenty five, they will say
You've gone and blown it
By the time you're thirty five, I must confide
You will have, blown them up
Right on queue, just act surprised, when they invite you to take you, curtain call
You climbed china's wall;
You, curtain call
I've done what I've done, and it has the ultimate consequence
Then a voice calls me back
This is not business, no it's more like, spiritual
It's not what it is
Then you ram your hand in your bag for a little protection

By the time you're twenty five, they will say
You've gone and blown it
By the time you're thirty five, I must confide
You will have, blown them up
Right on queue, just act surprised, when they invite you to take you, curtain call
You've climbed, china's wall
You, curtain call
The closed china's wall
Curtain call

Ebony beauty, passed this shade
The looking glass reflects


Lyrics submitted by stentorian

Curtain Call Lyrics as written by Tori Ellen Amos

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Curtain Call song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

21 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    As opposed to most of the other interpretations on this page, I'm of the opinion that Tori isn't so vain. I think it's a personal song, but one that most of us can relate to in the way that when we reach 25, or 35, we look back and judge ourselves on what we should be and what we've become according to what everyone else thinks of us. Everyone else is the "they" in the lyrics. The curtain call is the point where you've apparently screwed up your life bad enough that you should be taking your exit. China's wall is seemingly insurmountable, just like the personal situations we encounter in our lifetime. And as a side note, "blowing them all" is blowing all your chances, not blowing people. Also, ebony is a colour, not black people. I agree with parasol.

    unreservedreaderon May 17, 2010   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve. The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future. Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere" The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.