I was still a baby, barely knee high
when my pops packed his bags, and said no goodbye
my mama died of heartache, so I tried to go hide
but was kidnapped by carnies when, I accepted their ride

oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
oh, you got me as an acrobat, let me go, applause ain't a home

(now I said don't give me all your sympathy, save me from your charity)

I grew up on hunger and clowns, town after town
never escaped until, the state department came 'round
oh yeah they put me in a good school
gave me parents who smiled they said
now you can be a normal boy, well your normal don't fit, (all right!)
in fact it's quite god damn crazy

oh, you got me on the fast track, of status quo, leave me alone
oh you got me on a picket fence, let me go, your dreams ain't my own

leave your good intentions there, there by the door
talk with me like my mom did, did once before
now I don't need all the things that seem to matter to you
all I want is an empty field, and a seed or two

oh, you got me on a tightrope, stop the show, and leave me alone
oh, you got me as an acrobat, let me go, applause ain't a home


Lyrics submitted by whatsupdock

Tightrope song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

1 Comment

sort form View by:
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I think it's about people expecting certain things from you when you feel that you have so much more to offer the world.

    Pianosopheron February 24, 2016   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
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
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.
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.