Ahhh see right see the thing that's got it all fucked up now is camera-phones
How the hell am I supposed to be able to do a line in front of complete strangers, when I know They've all got cameras?

When you're a famous boy, it gets really easy to get girls,
It's all so easy you get a bit spoiled.
So, when you try to pull a girl, who is also famous too,
It feels just like when you wasn't famous.

The celebrity pages in papers don't tell tales that are always to the line of the truth.
It's 'til a line at which most likely you'll have the time, or enough finance to sue.
Which is why it's so frightening buying papers in the morning fearing the next Mike Skinner scoop.
'Cause I used to believe what I read, so now I know that others will believe that it's true.

But I realized, with you the truth could be, a whole lot worse than the flack.
My whole life I never thought I'd see, a pop star smoke crack.
And I must admit I was quite shocked, with that thing you did with me on my back.
But, outside in the lobby, I shouldn't have laughed when you slapped that man.

When you're a famous boy, it gets really easy to get girls,
It's all so easy you get a bit spoilt.
So, when you try to pull a girl, who is also famous too,
It feels just like when you wasn't famous.

You were so much fun, I really got to like you more than you liked me,
I really hoped that you'd stay.
Considering the amount of prang you'd done, you looked amazing on cd:uk.
You learn dances, do promo, cameras flashing, get in the van, zoom away (reeeoow).
I wake up high, diss my beat feel hung over and sorry for my doomed day.

But I know I got a bit close to you, and that you found it fucking boring.
You taught me so much about how to deal with the how far I'd fallin' in.
And what version of a rumor would next day be everyone's story of me.
You taught me all the realities and turn the page and ignore 'em.

When you're a famous boy, it gets really easy to get girls,
It's all so easy you get a bit spoiled.
So, when you try to pull a girl, who is also famous too,
It feels just like when you wasn't famous.

Anyway, I had to rest my beer hat, delete my dealer's number and unroll my bank notes.
And we were on borrowed time anyway, what with the daily toilet papers not knowin'.
And I knew that when the people who thought they knew you, when they found out,
I would've been mocked.
Which is ironic, 'cause in reality, standing next to you I look fucking soft.

Whenever I see you on MTV, I can't stop my big wide smile.
And past the 'children's appeal', I see the darkness behind.
We both know the scratches on my back, much better than the alludes and lies.
I miss the bitchin' and shoutin', but I'm glad I got out in time.

When you're a famous boy, it gets really easy to get girls,
It's all so easy you get a bit spoilt.
So, when you try to pull a girl, who is also famous too,
It feels just like when you wasn't famous.

You can't keep fucking pop stars, we've got a fucking business to run. There are industry repercussions, Michael!

I know.


Lyrics submitted by eleanorigby

When You Wasn't Famous Lyrics as written by Michael Geoffrey Skinner

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

When You Wasn't Famous song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    Who's it about?

    lexi1987on May 08, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I want to know who it's about too. It's obviously about some pop star.

    dengeiston August 09, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    funny track, more chavtastic rhymes from mike skinner. it's not that good really but it works. the song itself is justr a pisstake about celebrity relationships. the first line is the best one tho.

    uncledubon March 10, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    really looking forward to see how the new cd sounds like still i'm a bit sad there's not a storyline in it. bugger

    distroon March 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    well i spose the storyline will be about him being famous - tho it won't be a storyline.....ah well i heard Two Nations and Pranging Out on Zane Lowe's show on Radio1 and they're amazing! this album will be just as good

    rocknrollrulezon April 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    The album is finally starting to grow on me a bit...the last one had a warm up time too...but I feel it's definitely the weakest of the 3, but I do really like:

    • Hardest way...
    • Pranging Out
    • 2 Nations
    • Never went to Church
    • Memento Mori
    • All Goes out thte window

    but the others like War of Sexes, Con Honest John (a rip-off of the show "Hustle"), & Hotel Expressionism are just crap

    CoryGreenwellon April 12, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    apparently this song is about cheryl tweedy from girls aloud... but that may just be a stupid rumor.

    Sarah143on September 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hahahaha, 'apparently' is good enough for me. Mike Skinner is great.

    klson March 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He won't say who it's about, because he'd have the tabloids and so on on his backs, but I laways thought it was Rachel Stevens. The bit at the beginning is a little joke about Kate, because it was around the time she was revealed to be taking cocaine and he felt for her.

    Prisoner.I.Wason March 19, 2007   Link
  • -1
    General Comment

    heh heh this is a wicked song. it cracks me up.

    freddo frogon April 10, 2006   Link

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