| Steve Taylor – Am I In Sync? Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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In a nutshell, the song is about screwed up priorities. More specifically, it's about how people are at their most pathetic when they're working to make themselves immortal. The key to this one is the Woody Allen paraphrase at the end of the chorus: "I'd rather be immortal by not dying." The preceding parts of the chorus are about foolishly trying to achieve that mortality through things that won't last. "Paint a picture on a subway train" evokes the image of artwork that will speed by so quickly that nobody will see it, and that will be cleaned off in short order. "Carve my name in a video game" is more interesting; this was the Atari era, when most game creators weren't even credited and the games themselves were simple little pong clones. "Live 'til the bubble pops" isn't just eerily predictive - the late 80s suffered an economic downturn much like the current one (although quite a bit shorter.) "Hold my breath when the big one drops" is a dated reference; it refers to the Cold War fear that, at any moment, the world could be annihilated in surprise nuclear attacks. The verses are the more interesting part, in my opinion. The first tells of a dancer who dreams of becoming a Hollywood star. She never gets her big break, and since she devoted her whole life to dancing and never worked to better herself in other ways she finds herself worse off. The second verse is about a scientist working to cure a disease, not to help the sick but to make himself famous. Unfortunately, he isn't good or lucky enough to achieve his dream, and the failure literally drives him mad. Please, Steve Taylor. I'm begging you. There's so much more for you to say, and nobody else to say it. Please record another album. |
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| Kansas – On the Other Side Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| This song is best summed up by its last verse, esp. "The answers are so simple and we all know where to look, but it's easier just to avoid the question." The singer urges those who are lost and confused to embrace the truth, but laments the fact that many will turn away because, to take a line from Flannery O'Connor, it's harder to believe than not to. | |
| Kansas – Sparks of the Tempest Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| The song seems to me to be about the futility of protest and resistance; there has always been turmoil in civilization and there always will be. | |
| Kansas – Questions of My Childhood Lyrics | 15 years ago |
| It's about the foolhardy but invigorating passion of youth. | |
| Kansas – Miracles Out Of Nowhere Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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This is, indeed, about discovering and embracing the Christian faith (although it could just as easily be interpreted for any other greater meaning in life). The first verse is about the singer being intrigued by the beauty of nature on a perfect morning, which starts him on the road to truth. The second verse is about a "madman", someone who seems crazy because of the religious lifestyle he leads. The ending of the second verse, "Tell me, what made you that way?" suggests that the singer is intrigued rather than repulsed by this madness. The third verse is about the singer's encounter with someone who is nearing the end of their natural life, but despite the fact that the world seems to be "growing cold" toward her, she maintains a vigorous and upbeat life. Again, we can assume that this is due to her religious faith. The last verse changes perspective from the singer to some kind of external entity that is spreading the "song" or truth that has so intrigued the singer. Rather than foisting this truth on others, though, "[he] just play[s] and then [he] go[es]", allowing others to discover the story on their own. This is clearly meant to be the spiritual force that has enticed the singer. The chorus states the point of the song with some clarity. The final chorus, which is slightly different, reveals that the singer is more confident in the faith that they will see a sign, indicating growth in the spiritual life. |
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