Show me how to lie, you're getting better all the time
And turning all against the one is an art that's hard to teach
Another clever word sets off an unsuspecting herd
And as you step back into line, a mob jumps to their feet

Now dance, fucker, dance, man, he never had a chance
And no one even knew it was really only you
And now you steal away
Take him out today
Nice work you did
You're gonna go far, kid

With a thousand lies and a good disguise
Hit 'em right between the eyes
Hit 'em right between the eyes
When you walk away, nothing more to say
See the lightning in your eyes
See 'em running for their lives

Slowly out of line, and drifting closer in your sight
So play it out, I'm wide awake, it's a scene about me
There's something in your way and now someone is gonna pay
And if you can't get what you want, well, it's all because of me

Now dance, fucker, dance, man, I never had a chance
And no one even knew, it was really only you
And now you'll lead the way
Show the light of day
Nice work you did
You're gonna go far, kid
Trust deceived

With a thousand lies and a good disguise
Hit 'em right between the eyes
Hit 'em right between the eyes
When you walk away, nothing more to say
See the lightning in your eyes
See 'em running for their lives

Now dance, fucker, dance, he never had a chance
And no one even knew, it was really only you
So dance, fucker, dance, I never had a chance
It was really only you

With a thousand lies and a good disguise
Hit 'em right between the eyes
Hit 'em right between the eyes
When you walk away, nothing more to say
See the lightning in your eyes
See 'em running for their lives
Clever alibis, Lord of the Flies
Hit 'em right between the eyes
Hit 'em right between the eyes
When you walk away, nothing more to say
See the lightning in your eyes
See 'em running for their lives

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Lyrics submitted by himynameismark, edited by rapscal_2002, ArielAguayo, SamanthaN, malikxx1993

You're Gonna Go Far, Kid Lyrics as written by Bryan Keith Holland

Lyrics © Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs

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You're Gonna Go Far, Kid song meanings

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222 Comments

+12
Song Meaning
It's basically about lying and manipulating people to get what you want, and saying that by doing that you'll be successful, though I believe it's meant to be taken satirically and not as if the band agrees with doing what it's saying. The only reason for the Lord of the Flies reference is that the pig's head on a stick bascially manipulated the children into killing each other. (If you view it as a real thing and not just an object that the children hallucinated was talking) Ever since I first heard it I've been refering to it as "The Lawyer Song".

It's basically about lying and manipulating people to get what you want, and saying that by doing that you'll be successful, though I believe it's meant to be taken satirically and not as if the band agrees with doing what it's saying. The only reason for the Lord of the Flies reference is that the pig's head on a stick bascially manipulated the children into killing each other. (If you view it as a real thing and not just an object that the children hallucinated was talking) Ever since I first heard it I've been refering to it as "The Lawyer Song".

Reason:

MyMeaningson February 19, 2013 Link
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@MyMeanings
+9
General Comment
As most of you are posting, I agree that they are making a Lord of the Flies reference. However, just because they mention "Lord of the Flies," doesn't mean that the song is literally about the book itself. It's just a reference to the song's overall meaning, which is about manipulating people to get what you want. For example, if you and me are playing football and you make a nice pass to me, I might say, "Nice pass, Peyton Manning," but I don't literally mean that you are Peyton Manning, I'm just comparing you to him. The same is done in this song with the lyric, "Clever alibis, Lord of the Flies." He's just referring the main character of the song as being manipulative like the character from Lord of the Flies, but not saying that he is literally him.

As most of you are posting, I agree that they are making a Lord of the Flies reference. However, just because they mention "Lord of the Flies," doesn't mean that the song is literally about the book itself. It's just a reference to the song's overall meaning, which is about manipulating people to get what you want. For example, if you and me are playing football and you make a nice pass to me, I might say, "Nice pass, Peyton Manning," but I don't literally mean that you are Peyton Manning, I'm just comparing you to him. The same is done in this song with the lyric, "Clever alibis, Lord of the Flies." He's just referring the main character of the song as being manipulative like the character from Lord of the Flies, but not saying that he is literally him.

Reason:

goodtimes9on November 16, 2012 Link
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@goodtimes9

@goodtimes9 You blew my mind.. I've been listening to that song for a long time, and I didn't even stop to see the "Lord of the Flies" line.

wonderland78on June 10, 2016
+6
General Comment
I don't know with everything that's been typed out here so far, but here's my interpretation of the song: There's apparently a conspirator who's using someone as a scapegoat to pass the chaos and aggression onto. In layman terms: The kid's placing the blame on someone else to make up for his/her mistakes. He makes himself look like some kind of Jesus because he never does anything wrong. Little known to his followers, he's not interested in what they want - Only what he wishes. The fact that the kid's gonna go far, meant that using others to place the blame on will only work for so long. Since the kid can no longer get what he wants, it's because someone knows what he's been up to, and now all of the negative attention will be drawn back to the kid. In the end though, his followers will always side with him, so the fucker (The Kid) can dance and celebrate all he wants, because our narrator "Never had a chance" to expose him for who he really is. Other than that though, I can see where other people got their interpretations from. Please don't flame me, I'm just saying what I thought he said.

I don't know with everything that's been typed out here so far, but here's my interpretation of the song: There's apparently a conspirator who's using someone as a scapegoat to pass the chaos and aggression onto. In layman terms: The kid's placing the blame on someone else to make up for his/her mistakes. He makes himself look like some kind of Jesus because he never does anything wrong. Little known to his followers, he's not interested in what they want - Only what he wishes. The fact that the kid's gonna go far, meant that using others to place the blame on will only work for so long. Since the kid can no longer get what he wants, it's because someone knows what he's been up to, and now all of the negative attention will be drawn back to the kid. In the end though, his followers will always side with him, so the fucker (The Kid) can dance and celebrate all he wants, because our narrator "Never had a chance" to expose him for who he really is. Other than that though, I can see where other people got their interpretations from. Please don't flame me, I'm just saying what I thought he said.

Reason:

kensredemptionon July 22, 2008 Link
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@kensredemption

I agree very much with you. I think that was a very good interpretation.

ChickenChaseron October 24, 2010

Well ur the first one to get it rite, its mainly bout lord of the flies

Ozzie53on January 10, 2011

i also agree but have something to maybe add? when he is calling him lord of the flies it could be a reference to the book or the fact that flies don't live for very long and if anyone tries to stand up to him then they will not either.

jrmarine99on March 03, 2014
+6
General Comment
see I'm getting a completely different view. I don't see government or bush, I see the complete opposite; the revolter. A person in the background manipulating the crowd. He knows how to change people with lies. He's going to sneak in with the group where he is needed, start the revolt, and let the crowd take over. I don't see anything about guns. Hit em right between the eyes just means kill shot to me. Take em out in one swift punch. As for the 'dance fucker dance' all I get is someone plucking at puppet strings.

see I'm getting a completely different view. I don't see government or bush, I see the complete opposite; the revolter. A person in the background manipulating the crowd. He knows how to change people with lies. He's going to sneak in with the group where he is needed, start the revolt, and let the crowd take over. I don't see anything about guns. Hit em right between the eyes just means kill shot to me. Take em out in one swift punch. As for the 'dance fucker dance' all I get is someone plucking at puppet strings.

Reason:

Techcasualtyon August 18, 2008 Link
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@Techcasualty

I wouldn't be too surprised if it's anti-war but it seems more like it's about a gang leader (?) who's using a specific person by creating a scapegoat. I just don't see Bush saying "you're gonna go far" to a Marine.

steveo3387on April 21, 2010
+6
General Comment
Now that I think about it, Lord of the Flies very much seems to be the basis of this song, Take these lyrics: "And turning all against one Is an art that's hard to teach Another clever word Sets off an unsuspecting herd And as you step back in the line A mob jumps to their feet" Jack turned all of the boys against Ralph over the course of the book. One clever word that helped him gain his "herd" would be "beast", something he promised to protect them from. Also, consider this: "There's someone in your way And now someone is gonna pay If you can't get what you want Well it's all because of me" Obviously, the song is narrated by Ralph. Ralph realizes here that Jack considers him the catalyst of their problems and he wants to kill him. Oh, and obviously, "Hit 'em right between the eyes" refers to Piggy and "No more alibis, Lord of the Flies" is about as specific as you'll get. I didn't actually like the song too much before, but now that I know this, it is much more interesting for me.

Now that I think about it, Lord of the Flies very much seems to be the basis of this song, Take these lyrics: "And turning all against one Is an art that's hard to teach Another clever word Sets off an unsuspecting herd And as you step back in the line A mob jumps to their feet" Jack turned all of the boys against Ralph over the course of the book. One clever word that helped him gain his "herd" would be "beast", something he promised to protect them from. Also, consider this: "There's someone in your way And now someone is gonna pay If you can't get what you want Well it's all because of me" Obviously, the song is narrated by Ralph. Ralph realizes here that Jack considers him the catalyst of their problems and he wants to kill him. Oh, and obviously, "Hit 'em right between the eyes" refers to Piggy and "No more alibis, Lord of the Flies" is about as specific as you'll get. I didn't actually like the song too much before, but now that I know this, it is much more interesting for me.

Reason:

Kmanneron August 24, 2008 Link
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@Kmanner

Absolutely ^_^
I completely agree with Kmanner.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that got this.

bananazon February 07, 2009

Absolutely ^_^
I completely agree with Kmanner.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that got this.

bananazon February 07, 2009

It's not Lord of the Flies though, the lyric is 'Mow them down like flies'.

Anxaon June 06, 2009

I definitely agree with you. I'm thinking that the chorus where it says, "Dance, fucker, dance, he never had a chance," is referring to the part where Jack kills Simon, since they were dancing during that scene (or something like that. It's been two years since I've read the book, so my memory on the plot are a little rusty.)

I also thought the song was so much cooler after hearing that it was referring to Lord of the Flies, thanks to reading bananaz's post.

And the lyrics definitely say "Lord of the Flies." If you listen closely, you'll probably hear it. I didn't notice it either until I read bananaz's post.

Haru329on June 28, 2009

Yep, they were dancing. And Simon was even calling out about the man on the hill and doing the best he could to escape he just... "never had a chance"

Yes, it's definitely Lord of the Flies.

"See the lighting in you eyes, see 'em running for their lifes." Other than the fact that it's plural, it seems like it could be in part an obvious reference to just after Piggy is hit and Ralph starts running literally for his life, and Jack had lightning in his eyes. Also when Ralph was running and everything was burning.

I'm a little late to the party but eh, that's may take on it.

Yachiruon February 04, 2010

haha yeah, when i first heard the song i though hmm, this sounds alot like a book iv read.then when it said the actual 'lord of the flies' line, i was like yeah its definately about the book. i get what you said and i totally agree, makes the song much more interesting :)x

amyrosexon April 08, 2010

Yes finally ive found people that actually understand this song. i try to explain it all the time. This song is totally directed towards lord of the flies and it definatley doesnt say mow them down like flies either.

Ducksrule21on December 10, 2010
+4
General Comment
I think this song is about the government manipulating us. the "Dance Fucker Dance" line makes me think this. I think the part about the lies also applies to the government. They will use several clever lies and they will elicit such fear from us that they can get anything from us.

I think this song is about the government manipulating us. the "Dance Fucker Dance" line makes me think this. I think the part about the lies also applies to the government. They will use several clever lies and they will elicit such fear from us that they can get anything from us.

Reason:

BFTrickon June 20, 2008 Link
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@BFTrick
+4
General Comment
...you all do realize that this song has nothing to do with the book, Lord of the Flies, right? "Lord of the Flies" is a nickname for Satan or Beelzebub. He's basically calling whoever the song is aimed at 'Satan'. Although it's neat to see how you can connect the song to the book, I highly doubt the two are actually related.

...you all do realize that this song has nothing to do with the book, Lord of the Flies, right? "Lord of the Flies" is a nickname for Satan or Beelzebub. He's basically calling whoever the song is aimed at 'Satan'. Although it's neat to see how you can connect the song to the book, I highly doubt the two are actually related.

Reason:

PirateRedon November 25, 2012 Link
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@PirateRed

Exactly, what I was explaining in my below post.

goodtimes9on December 07, 2012

No, you're wrong. The song is clearly talking about the book. Almost all the lines are related to the book in some way, not just "Lord of the Flies".

Full explanation can be found here: youtube.com/…

Zflameon January 12, 2013

Oh, I forgot the mention. The explanation is the vid description

Zflameon January 12, 2013
+3
General Comment
Worthless comment, I know, but holy shit this song kicks a lot of ass. This album has replaced Conspiracy of One as my second favorite (S.M.A.S.H. being the first, of course). I'm pumped.

Worthless comment, I know, but holy shit this song kicks a lot of ass. This album has replaced Conspiracy of One as my second favorite (S.M.A.S.H. being the first, of course). I'm pumped.

Reason:

Malsolon June 10, 2008 Link
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@Malsol

Great song, I've heard that the song is about the Columbine shootings, makes sense if you know the story around it.

andrrizzzleon June 17, 2010
+3
General Comment
The way i see this song, and it's partly because of the music video, it's about someone who was given a gift but used it for the wrong reason. s/he shit em right between the eyes by doing something out of the kindness of his/her heart, then asked for a reward.

The way i see this song, and it's partly because of the music video, it's about someone who was given a gift but used it for the wrong reason. s/he shit em right between the eyes by doing something out of the kindness of his/her heart, then asked for a reward.

Reason:

R0ck0ut619on December 31, 2012 Link
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@R0ck0ut619

@R0ck0ut619 I'm sorry, I have to point out, this the best misspell ever

DSilvainon February 12, 2016
+3
General Comment
when he says dance fucker dance that may be referring to war times when people would shoot at the enemy's hostages to make them jump around also known as "dancing"

when he says dance fucker dance that may be referring to war times when people would shoot at the enemy's hostages to make them jump around also known as "dancing"

Reason:

kwakadileon September 15, 2013 Link
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@kwakadile

Duh. Once you realize how singers communicate through their lyrics, it becomes quite clear. It's almost like you can see right through them. Like they're transparent, or colorless. Predictable, like the color of the sky or the sun. But sometimes it helps to have a little color or fogginess, if you understand colors and how they affect people, it gets you much closer to what you want than pretending to know. Pretense is weakness, just like colors.

transchameleonon September 15, 2013

you win

transchameleonon September 15, 2013