I want to learn how to fly
I want to learn how to fly
I want to be respected
I want to get lucky
I want to get out of this dump
I just want to watch TV
I want to be loved
I want to be different
I want a brother and sister
I'd just rather be forgotten
I want to save the world
I want to be understood
I want to be rich
Man, I just want to be somebody

Julie's got the word today
She lost her job just one last pay
Life don't come easy anymore, no
Still struggling on, by herself
Got a picture of Jimmy
There on the shelf
And she looks at him and says
Why did we let it go

I know that sometimes baby
We didn't see things eye-to-eye
But I got just one question
Did we have to say goodbye, oh

Just like prisoners in paradise
Still far from heaven's door
Yeah, we had it all
But still we wanted more
Now I realize that I can't turn back
The future's here to stay, but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday

Whoa, yeah

Well, Jimmy still recalls the night
When he took his guitar
And headed on out
To find the big time
Yeah, that was his dream
He gave up his past
And made it alright
But there's something missin'
In his heart tonight
Sometimes what you want
Ain't what you need
No, no

He misses drivin' down to the lake at night
Holdin' his baby in his arms so tight
Ain't it hard to find illusions
When you're livin' in a memory

Oh, just like prisoners in paradise
So close but yet so far
There will come a time
No matter who you are
When you ask yourself
Was it right or wrong
For me to turn away, but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday

Whoa yeah-yeah

Prisoners in paradise
Prisoners in paradise, yeah yeah
We're just prisoners in paradise
Still far from heaven's door
Yeah, we had it all
But still we wanted more

We're just prisoners in paradise
So close but yet so far
There will come a time
No matter, no matter who you are
When you ask yourself
Was it right or wrong
For me to turn away, but hey
We're just children of tomorrow
Hangin' on to yesterday


Lyrics submitted by Hardcore_Icon

Prisoners in Paradise Lyrics as written by Joey Tempest

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Prisoners In Paradise song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    joey tempest is a great lyricist, i agree with all our analyist friends about the gist of the the song. it's about "sometimes what you want ain't what you need". i like the expression "prisoners in paradise", here joey says if we crave for more or sortta say be tempted by greed or something like it, not all of us get what we need and when frustration and desperation becomes too much it's too late to pray for normality like how it used to be for our male character here. "we're just children of tomorrow hanging on to yesterday" which i think basically means prisoners in paradise, frustrated to live in the present, wishing for the past, the joy and happiness we had and don't know what the future holds.
    ganalysison June 03, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    to me this song is about leaving something behind to persue your dreams then always wondering if you have done the right thing. looking back and wondering if you would have been better off taking the easy road. Always wanting what you dont have no mteer how much you thought you wanted it. the grass is always greener on the other side.... that sort of thing
    SpiritOfTheUnderdogon June 30, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i think this one is maybe reaching your dreams but maybe regretting leaving things or someone behind in order to pursue your dream... very beautiful song
    flamegirlon July 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It's about Joey himself leaving his childhood girlfriend behind to tour with Europe. Himself missing the times, leaving his girlfriend wondering "what if...". Pretty decent Europe song if you ask me!
    LittlePrincezzon September 24, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "I want to learn how to fly I want to be respected I want to get lucky I want to get out of this dump I just want to watch TV I want to be loved I want to be different I want a brother and sister I'd just rather be forgotten I want to save the world I want to be understood I want to be rich Man, I just want to be somebody" ...what do YOU want ?
    jw39on February 19, 2013   Link

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