7 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Family Tree Lyrics
I've been feeling down
I've been looking round the town
For somebody just like me
But the only ones I see
Are the dummies in the window
They spend their money on clothes
It saddens me to think
That the only ones I see are mannequins
Looking stupid, being used and being thin
And I don't know why I hang around with them
The way they act, I'd rather be fat than be confused
The way they act, I'd rather be fat than be confused
Than be me in a cage
With a bottle of rage
And a family like the mafia
I've been feeling blue
And I don't know what to do
And I never get a thrill
And they threw me out of school
'Cause I swore at all the teachers
Because they never teach us
A thing I want to know
We do chemistry, biology and maths
I want poetry and music and some laughs
And I don't think it's an awful lot to ask
So won't you please get up off your knees, and let me go
So won't you please get up off your knees, and let me go
'Cause I'm here in a cage
With a bottle of rage
And a family like the mafia
If my family tree goes back to the Romans
Then I will change my name to Jones
If my family tree goes back to Napolean
Then I will change my name to Smith
If my family tree goes back to the Romans
Then I will change my name to Jones
If you're looking at me to be an accountant
Then you will look but you will never see
If you're looking at me to start having babies
Then you can wish because I'm not here to fool around
You can wish because I'm not here to fool around
You can wish because I'm not here to fool around
I've been looking round the town
For somebody just like me
But the only ones I see
Are the dummies in the window
They spend their money on clothes
It saddens me to think
That the only ones I see are mannequins
Looking stupid, being used and being thin
And I don't know why I hang around with them
The way they act, I'd rather be fat than be confused
Than be me in a cage
With a bottle of rage
And a family like the mafia
And I don't know what to do
And I never get a thrill
And they threw me out of school
'Cause I swore at all the teachers
Because they never teach us
A thing I want to know
We do chemistry, biology and maths
I want poetry and music and some laughs
And I don't think it's an awful lot to ask
So won't you please get up off your knees, and let me go
'Cause I'm here in a cage
With a bottle of rage
And a family like the mafia
Then I will change my name to Jones
If my family tree goes back to Napolean
Then I will change my name to Smith
If my family tree goes back to the Romans
Then I will change my name to Jones
If you're looking at me to be an accountant
Then you will look but you will never see
If you're looking at me to start having babies
Then you can wish because I'm not here to fool around
You can wish because I'm not here to fool around
You can wish because I'm not here to fool around
Song Info
Submitted by
girlboyrevolt On Jun 27, 2005
More Belle & Sebastian
Piazza, New York Catcher
Funny Little Frog
Get Me Away from Here, I'm Dying
Seeing Other People
If She Wants Me
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I also like this line. And I like the fact, that this song is sung in such a sweet way, but contains critism. It´s a kind of ironic.
the first verse is pretty straight foreward, society cares about looks, and not what you think. her family's like the mafia because she cant get out. once you're in you stay in. religion in our society keeps everyone submissive and gives everyone an excuse for anything. you have to be who you are, and not what others tell you to be
dreadhead, I don't see how this song relates to religion, but it's definitely about being bored with the shallow people in society. my favorite line has to be "I'd rather be fat than be confused." god, i can relate. i'd rather be fat than be a stupid bimbo.
what does the last part mean? "if my family tree goes back to the romans then i will change my name to jones" ?
the Mafia, the Romans..now it (kind of) makes sense. She doesn't want to be so tied to a family, keeping the family honour; i guess it's because Jones is such a common surname. And yes, Gibbler, that's what makes B&S great!
Stuart is the songwriter, not Isobel. ;)
Seems similar in content to the song by the Raincoats "No one's little girl" - I understand Stuart was quite a fan of the Raincoats.