Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday
Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday
It's something I thinks worthwhile
If the puppet makes you smile
If not then you're throwing stones
Throwing stones, throwing stones
Ooh it's a funny game
Don't believe that it's all the same
Can't think what I've just said
Put the soft pillow on my head
Millions of eys can see
Yet why am I so blind
When the someone else is me
It's unkind, it's unkind
de de de de de de de de de de de de de
de de de de de de de de de de de de de
Yet millions of eyes can see
Yet why am I so blind
When the someone else is me
It's unkind, it's unkind
Ooh you're a holiday , ev'ry day , such a holiday
Now it's my turn to say , and I say you're a holiday
It's something I thinks worthwhile
If the puppet makes you smile
If now then you're throwing stones
Throwing stones , throwing stones
de de de de de de de de de de de de de de
Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday
If the puppet makes you smile
If not then you're throwing stones
Throwing stones, throwing stones
Don't believe that it's all the same
Can't think what I've just said
Put the soft pillow on my head
Yet why am I so blind
When the someone else is me
It's unkind, it's unkind
de de de de de de de de de de de de de
Yet why am I so blind
When the someone else is me
It's unkind, it's unkind
Now it's my turn to say , and I say you're a holiday
It's something I thinks worthwhile
If the puppet makes you smile
If now then you're throwing stones
Throwing stones , throwing stones
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The song is addressed to his love. "You're a holiday" means you're a lot of fun. "The puppet" refers to himself. He doesn't mind if she thinks he's funny, but if she's just mocking him, then she's throwing stones. The song is sad because there's a deep disconnect between the two of them. She's all about fun and he is looking for something deeper.
@Diderik Your comment made me reread the lyrics. Because I agreed so fully with everything until your last line: "She's all about fun and he is looking for something deeper." You are absolutely correct. My error was in "she is all about fun".
He admits he is blind to himself though she and the whole world see him clearly. This supports your contention that he seeks something deeper, yet I wonder does confusion actually indicate depth? If she sees him clearly, perhaps she has greater depth.
@Diderik Your comment made me reread the lyrics. Because I agreed so fully with everything until your last line: "She's all about fun and he is looking for something deeper." You are absolutely correct. My error was in "she is all about fun".
He admits he is blind to himself though she and the whole world see him clearly. This supports your contention that he seeks something deeper, yet I wonder does confusion actually indicate depth? If she sees him clearly, perhaps she has greater depth.
@Diderik In rereading my interpretation I find myself disagreeing with it too. What makes the song sad is the writer's perception of his blindness. For him the relationship is a holiday, which sooner or later must come to an end. Too late he realizes how much she means to him.
@Diderik In rereading my interpretation I find myself disagreeing with it too. What makes the song sad is the writer's perception of his blindness. For him the relationship is a holiday, which sooner or later must come to an end. Too late he realizes how much she means to him.
@Diderik Holiday is a break from the usual. Perhaps the usual is the puppet on a string of routine/duty. Does she make fun of him being tied to duty? Is he blind to the possibility of freedom offered by carefree living? Should he take the Holiday or is she toying with him?
@Diderik Holiday is a break from the usual. Perhaps the usual is the puppet on a string of routine/duty. Does she make fun of him being tied to duty? Is he blind to the possibility of freedom offered by carefree living? Should he take the Holiday or is she toying with him?
@Diderik "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
@Diderik "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he...
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
@Sandyforshort thanks for your insights
@Sandyforshort thanks for your insights
I definitely believe this is one of the Bee Gee's best songs. He's just singing about a girl who is so special she's a "holiday" - a rare occurance, a special thing. He'll do anything to make her happy, and if she's not, he's hurt. Some other parts of the song is hard to decipher for me, but that's what I think the gist of it is.
Hey! lovely way of interpreting the song in terms of (common) relational problems. That's the beauty of interpretation. There's no right or wrong really.
This is most likely the true meaning:
This masterpiece was written in 67: The puppet is the state, thus the ongoing suppression in the 60s
"It's something's I think is worthwile = love is worthwile! non violent protest will ultimately result in peace" "if the puppet makes you smile": to SMILE at politics was the only way really to reply to what happened in the (late) 60s, for the Hippies' - and deep down practically for everybody had they already found out about our true nature - ethical standards and morals. To stand up for your right, does not mean throwing stones. That's clearly NOT what love and peace is. Yes, there were some violent protests, but this was not meant to be the general message the Hippies wanted to give. They almost managed to regain and spread freedom all over the world, but the puppet sadly was AND STILL IS too strong. Mainly because the mainstream has not waken up yet. Matter of time. A reflective and empathic human being therefore has two choices: to revolt violently against what's going on in the world or to spread love in his/her cosmos, to smile and to say to LIFE: You're a HOLIDAY (because yes, it is a true gift, a Holiday of some over 70 years if you're lucky. Embrace it = Smile) .."if not then you're throwing stones": the other - less reflective and less loving side of the human spectrum is ought to rebel with aggression, thus fighting the aggression of the puppet with aggression, which still today is a rather unhealthy answer and will never change anything really.
..."Yet millions of eyes can see, yet why am I so blind?": this is actually NOT referring to himself but to the listener, who he wants to fill up with love rather than stone throwing hate (Free Speech Movement in 64 and its aftermath) Millions could already see the truth, kept under the rug (the truth about the war, corruption etc..) including the Beegees and other bands I do not need to list here. The listener however, most likely still has not yet shed light on his marionette-like suppression.
"when the someone else is me, it's unkind, it's unkind": to think out of the box and not to swim with the mainstream is being someone else in our society. The Hippies were someone else and were looked down upon by politics and thus by the subordinate mainstream also, who were not able to form their own opinion on the matters, that truly mattered. Accepting a subordinate, liberty depriving role in society is easier, so it's rather UNKIND to be a free spirited soul. In fact it's a risk. The mainstream will most likely reject you in one way or another. Free Speech Movement: "Can't think what I've just said...": wording criticism against the head of state is a courageous step to take. To think independently and freely is a process. It does not happen overnight. So he - the listener, who might be almost there, having stepped out of his comfort zone - can't think what he's just said (something critical, an actual opinion) and wants to take the easy way out again, probably because he's been criticized for it. So all he can do is "put the soft pillow on his head": to look away again. It's easier. "It's a funny game" !! = self-explanatory He only says this once, and then again goes on with "millions of eyes can see..."
"De de de de deee...": all you can do is sing a nice tune to it all!!
For sure that's what at least some people felt when the song came out. And that's what my friends and I feel today. So I guess, something's worthile. Oooh, you're a Holiday
@moritz1007 I'm old enough to know these times and certainly this song. It was one of my favorites. But this interpretation of meaning is off of planet X. I guess you can read anything into anything. wow.
@moritz1007 I'm old enough to know these times and certainly this song. It was one of my favorites. But this interpretation of meaning is off of planet X. I guess you can read anything into anything. wow.
Kind of sounds like the "Puppet" is his replacement... Just an idea.
Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday Ooh you're a holiday , such a holiday
It's something I thinks worthwhile If the puppet makes you smile
Hey, toy with me all you want if you get your kicks,
If not then you're throwing stones Throwing stones, throwing stones
And people in glass houses shouldn't...
Ooh it's a funny game Don't believe that it's all the same
You think it's funny But It makes a difference to me
Can't think what I've just said Put the soft pillow on my head
I've made a total fool of myself and am burying my head under my pillow
Millions of eyes can see Yet why am I so blind When the someone else is me It's unkind, it's unkind
I can't believe that I've fallen for this Like the people I've been laughing at
de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de de
Yet millions of eyes can see Yet why am I so blind When the someone else is me It's unkind, it's unkind
Ooh you're a holiday , ev'ry day , such a holiday
Oh, you're a real piece of work, you are! Just a fun time you give me
Now it's my turn to say , and I say you're a holiday
You'll listen to me. I say, you're a pain in the neck! (Irony!)
It's something I thinks worthwhile If the puppet makes you smile If now then you're throwing stones Throwing stones , throwing stones
Hey, good work making a fool of me Hope you enjoyed it What goes around comes around You'll break your pretty glass house you will
de de de de de de de de de de de de de de
I wish they'd focused on the "Can't think what I've just said" line a little more. As they didn't, it's the key line. As in... more feeble metaphor and puerile rhymes not worthy of their musical abilities.
It's when you're in relationship with someone with borderline personality.
Common symptoms of the disorder include the following: Having an unstable or dysfunctional self-image or a distorted sense of self (how one feels about one’s self) Feelings of isolation, boredom and emptiness Difficulty feeling empathy for others A history of unstable relationships that can change drastically from intense love and idealization to intense hate A persistent fear of abandonment and rejection, including extreme emotional reactions to real and even perceived abandonment Intense, highly changeable moods that can last for several days or for just a few hours Strong feelings of anxiety, worry and depression Impulsive, risky, self-destructive and dangerous behaviors, including reckless driving, drug or alcohol abuse and having unsafe sex Hostility Unstable career plans, goals and aspirations People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggle to understand how wives, husbands, friends, and other family members experience their intense reactions, mood swings, and risky behavior. Needless to say, if you have a loved one with BPD, life can be fraught with crises and conflict. You might feel like you’re being held hostage, worrying that your family member will injure themselves if you don’t appease them. https://www.psycom.net/personality-disorders/bpd-and-relationships/#signs-amp-symptoms
There is some chatter on the interwebs that Paul McCartney was replaced in 1966, perhaps even by Bill Shepherd. There's a curator for the McCartney home that popped up on YouTube called John Halliday. Funny thing is, he looks like an older version of cute, small Paul. James Paul McCartney was originally called John Paul McCartney. If cute Paul was replaced by his twin brother, Faul, our current Paul, the song could reflect on John Halliday, being replaced by Faul/?Mike McCartney to better meet the demands of his British invasion puppet masters. After all, didn't the Who "see right through your plastic mac", in Substitute around the same time?
@JJMoore please read this: it might help you to tell fact from fiction. At present, you are confused and confusing. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/paul-mccartney-beatles-myth-paul-is-dead-debunked/
@JJMoore please read this: it might help you to tell fact from fiction. At present, you are confused and confusing. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/paul-mccartney-beatles-myth-paul-is-dead-debunked/
This is subjective to my inner self, that said - when I interact with people, I feel like my mask is putting on a show for them, if they can't see or get that there is something deeper underneath that, it's like "throwing stones" or put simply, it breaks my heart that another person can't feel me deeply as much as I feel them. That they only see the mask or show I put on for them and nothing more.
@CameoCall (continuation) But aw man, when they do see and feel that deeper part of me behind the mask, that person is a "Holiday" <3 <3 <3
@CameoCall (continuation) But aw man, when they do see and feel that deeper part of me behind the mask, that person is a "Holiday" <3 <3 <3
The first time I heard this song it struck a chord so distinct that I could never forget it. The happy Holiday lyrics sung in the most somber of tones. The proverbial clown of tears. I always pictured a patient in a mental institution struggling with what was real and what was imagined. IMHO the Bee Gees never topped this song.