Well she's kind of like an artist
Sittin' on the floor
Never finishes, she abandons
Never shows a soul

And she's kind of like a movie
Everyone rushes to see
And no one understands it
Sittin' in their seats

She opens her mouth to speak and
What comes out's a mystery
Thought about, not understood
She's achin' to be

Well she dances alone in nightclubs
Every other day of the week
People look right through her
Baby doll, check your cheek

And she's kind of like a poet
Who finds it hard to speak
Poems come so slowly
Like the colors down a sheet

She opens her mouth to speak and
What comes out's a mystery
Thought about, not understood
She's achin' to be

I've been achin' for a while now, friend
I've been achin' hard for years

Well she's kind of like an artist
Who uses paints no more
You never show me what you're doing
Never show a soul

Well, I saw one of your pictures
There was nothin' that I could see
If no one's on your canvas
Well, I'm achin' to be

She closes her mouth to speak and
Closes her eyes to see
Thought about an' only loved
She's achin' to be
Just like me


Lyrics submitted by krushzed

Achin' to Be Lyrics as written by Paul Westerberg

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Achin' To Be song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    this song is about paul's sister mary (as is merry-go-round). when i met mary she was working at the guthrie theater (she was also an artist) but of course had not had anywhere near the success of paul ... this is about how mary is "achin' to be" a successful well-known artist like her brother paul, "like me." as with all of paul's lyrics about people who knows (even like this someone he deeply loves) his harsh judgemental views shine forth. anyone else ever listen to "something to du" ??

    thunderbatson August 21, 2008   Link

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