All the things we never know we need

Looks like we get them in the end
Measure time in leisure time and greed
And by the time we get to spend
A floating bed
A head of stone
A home plugged into every phone

Kimono coral floral print
Exclusive tint and cut reclusive
No it doesn't come for free
But it's the price
We pay for happiness
No don't talk about more to life than this
Dream a world maybe no one owns

No don't think about all the life we miss
Swallow doubt as the hunger grows
Make believe its like no one knows
Even if we turn more to most
We'll never satisfy the hungry ghost
All the stuff we know we never want

Seems like we get it anyway
Safe to say it isn't really wrong
Not when we know we only
Throw it all away
Yeah all of this we never know we want
Its like we get it anyway

Safe to say it isn't ever wrong
Better to get than to delay
A 3d screen
A cleaner fit
A bit pulled out of every hit
Addicted latest greatest piece

Design caprice and make the headline
No it doesn't come for free
But it's the price
We pay for happiness
No don't talk about more to life than this
Dream a world maybe no one owns
No don't think about all the life we miss

Swallow doubt as the hunger grows
Make believe its like no one knows
Even if we turn more to most
We'll never satisfy the hungry ghost
And all of this
We know we never need

Well it's the price
We pay for happiness


Lyrics submitted by Cure.

The Hungry Ghost Lyrics as written by Porl Thompson Jason Toop Cooper

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

The Hungry Ghost song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

7 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General CommentIt reminds me of Fight Club. We are the society of consumers
    all that stuff "we never know we want" is our "price for happiness"
    we consume, we are surronded by the things we think we own , but actualy they own us, grabed off our freedom
    it so true
    Qpe.ruson November 04, 2008   Link
  • +2
    My InterpretationIt could be a way of describing the sensation people get to purchase items released out on the market hailed by suppliers and corporations as the latest and greatest. This causes the consumers to overindulge in getting a whole bunch of useless crap just because it is trendy or to get the feeling that they “own” something. The hungry ghost I think is in essence an invisible desire in people to want junk.
    irishguy977on December 01, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI don't understand the lyrics, but would love a 3d screen.
    seanstuarthomeon October 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General CommentRead into the father of Consumer Culture, Propaganda, and Public Relations: Edward Bernays.

    He convinced the Corporate Institutions, past and present, that you are idiot cattle that need to be scientifically manipulated without your knowing it for the good of Corporate Democracy.

    The deliberate senselessness will begin to make sense to you.
    MurderRapeLoveon November 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBest song on the new album (in my opinion).
    But! I DO need to say something that most The Cure fans probably WONT notice.

    This song HEAVILY reminds me of the songs "Vapour Trail" by Ride, and "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)" by U2.

    Soundwise, all 3 songs are basically the same when it comes to the verse melodies. I kind of think that Robert Smith might've just maybe (not confirming ANYTHING - but it's VERY close enough to not be a fluke) ripped off Ride and U2 when he made "Hungry Ghost".

    Not complaining or anything, it's a good song, and a great album. But I DO have to note the MAJOR similarities between the 3...they all borrow the same melody to some extent. If the 2 original songs had a lovechild, it would be "Hungry Ghost".
    halod9on February 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI love this one. So cynical...and so true. The "hungry ghost" is of course greed, desire for fame, etc.

    I especially love the line "A home plugged into every home." Totally reminds me of how all those people in the States were using subprime rates to buy second homes they would never ever ever be able to pay off. (Indeed, I seem to recall that ugly episode was right around the time this album was released!)

    One other thing...the lines from the refrain:
    No, don't talk about more to life than this,
    Dream a world maybe no-one owns
    remind me *so* much of a particular verse of John Lennon's "Imagine:"
    Imagine no possessions
    I wonder if you can
    No need for greed or hunger
    A brotherhood of man
    Imagine all the people
    Sharing all the world...
    GwiberWyrddon April 28, 2019   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe song is about acquisition disease, the hallmark of capitalism, and the scourge that has thoroughly screwed up humankind since the inception of civilization. Very poignant song and showcases the relevancy of Smith's poetry.
    MaybeIknowon March 18, 2023   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top