Same Thing

I'm not entire certain, but here goes: As with many BNL songs, I think this too deals with depression. However, I feel that this also includes the concept of fame. Although someone is famous, or attracts a great deal of attention, they may still feel depressed, wishing perhaps that they were someone else. As many people know, Charlie Brown was probably the most depressed cartoon character in history, but is also on of the most famous. The song may then deal with fame as a child, but if a man who is thirty years from you is to be considered old, you might need to be about 30. Perhaps then it deals with once being famous, not wanting it then, but wishing for it again now. I'm not entirely certain of the Fantastic Four verse, but think it may deal with the fame of others, or reminiscing about childhood. The thunderstorm verse may have to do with being famous by accident - "something in my veins". Also, maybe he was involved in an incident that brought about the fame. He was prepared to see something small about it on the news, but it evolved into national coverage, a "full scale war." Or it could just be an eclectic and fun tune, but as with many BNL tunes, they usually have a dark meaning under the light and snappy overtones. That rambling complete, I must say it's a great tune, and one of the best from pirate ship.

I like bugmenot's interpretation. I'd just like to add that to a child, anyone 30 years older could be considered "old".

Maybe someone based their TV series (or the like) on this person?

But what about the first two lines? Is the person not recognizing himself anymore?

I agree with bugmenot's, but i think it also talks about the two faced aspect of celebrity. While Charlie Brown was depressed and famous the two didn't have anything to do with one another. I feel itt's more of a reference to Charlie brown ttrying to kick the football and it being pulled away. He trusted Lucy but she betrayed him again. Also as far as as the Fantastic Four go, it could be saying how the people he idolized are turning their back on him. Or even how meeting his heroes he realizes they aren't anything special and he is losing all the people he could look up to.

When I sing the song, the last verse reminds me of the harsh bullying I often receive. I don't do anything to provoke those dicks at school, yet they taunt me mercilessly. It also reminds me of how some people are just bastards and do things that aren't called for. I don't understand the chorus or bridge. Anyone care to shed some light on those parts of the song?

Extra verse in Bathroom Sessions:

Must have been the same thing, Mom and Dad went through, I'm in a Jewelry store, Looking at a wedding ring the size of three or four paychecks, in walks the girl next door, and I say I do, funny how fast things change, Must have been the same thing

Divorce and depression both plausible.

Every time I hear this song I think of divorce. I have had friends growing up that went through it that have almost exactly said "I was prepared for the news but not for full scale war". The verses could be about self worth and longing for the "security" of childhood, but I haven't given it much thought beyond the feeling I get.

It would explain the lines:

These things all end Who asked you anyway? You'll have to bend Who asked you anyway?

It's not like the children have a choice. It's a tragedy we've become too comfortable with as a society.

The original liner notes to "Born on a Pirate Ship" have the lyrics as "not for the Third World War," contrary to how Ed sings it on the album. (Superstition, perhaps?)

I think this song is about handling fame and when it comes to an end.

The first verse is basically saying his dream became reality and he finds himself in someone else's shoes (shorts). I've been around the block...this part means he thinks he had enough experience to prepare himself for it, but he wasn't quite as ready as he needed to be for the harsh reality (the onslaught of full scare war). And he realized all this when he was first recognized in a grocery store by an older person.

He felt it must have been similar to what other famous people felt, imagining Charlie Brown would've had trouble dealing with it.

And similarly, the flipside was true when he saw someone famous (Fantastic four); they must've felt the same thing when he recognized them

But all this fame will come to end (and he's basically talking to himself "Who asked you anyway") and telling himself he will have to adjust one day (you'll have to bend).

In a thunderstorm....here he's saying he tries to stay quiet and away from trouble or attention (not holding golf clubs in a thunderstorm, not being a lightning rod), but he can't avoid it due to who he is (something in my veins) and his age/experience (weathered veins), maybe with a pun on Weather Vane, to tie in with the thnderstorm imagery.

That's how I interpret it anyway.