Opera Singer

Cake

I am an opera singer
I stand on painted tape
It tells me where I'm going
And where to throw my cape
I call my co-stars brother
I call my co-stars name
I play both good and evil parts
I sing to Verdi's grave

And every single morning
By 10 a.m I'm dressed
My rehearsals last for hours and hours
With diligence I have been blessed
Some people, they call me monster
Some people, they call me saint
My talent feeds my darker side
Yet no-one will complain

I am an opera singer
I sing in foreign lands
I've sung for Kings in Europe
And Emperors in Japan

And after each performance
People stand around and wait
Just to tell me that they loved my voice
Just to tell me that I'm great
I am an opera singer
I will sing when you're all dead
I sing the mountains crumbling apart
I sing what can't be said

I am an opera singer
I sing in foreign lands
Most people seem to know my name
Or at least know who I am


Lyrics submitted by shut

Opera Singer Lyrics as written by Mark Kornweibel John M Mccrea

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Opera Singer song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

26 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Commentthis song is about, as abstraxion said, about primadonna-types in fields of art, such as ballet obviously, where the primadonna term comes from. its filled with irony and satire of these super-talented people who believe they are above the rest of the world. in the line "my talent feeds my darker side, yet no one will complain" shows just how egomaniacal these people can get, but are so talented it's hard for others to criticize. WONDERFUL SONG. i love the riffs and drumline.
    sundaydrivingon December 22, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General CommentIt's definitely one of their more "popish" songs. I think this has to do a lot with how an opera singer can compare with a "perfect" life. The tape, all the cues, they tell you what to do, and when to do it. Don't we all wish things were that simple?
    Panic!AtTheDiscoFanon March 15, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General CommentAlthough at this point I'm merely adding on to what others are saying, I'll voice my thoughts anyway. The opera singer could be likened to today's actor or pop artist, pretty much anyone who believes that they are the best and are obsessed with their fame. They go on and on about how great they are and how their work is immortal.

    Opera singers were once celebrities on the level of big-name actors, perhaps beyond that. People were known to faint on the streets when they saw one. Can you name one opera singer? Probably not.

    That's where the real irony of the song comes in. This opera singer thinks that their name will never die, but we, a modern audience, knows that very few people will know their name in the future. Fame for the sake of fame is empty, and the quest for immortality is fruitless.

    We can draw a parallel with modern celebrities. They may think that they are all that, but only the truly great remain famous after their deaths, and they are typically not the narcissistic egomaniacs we are surrounded with.

    This song is great on so many levels. It's a great reminder that even though you're not famous, your legacy is not measured by the number of people who know your name, since even they will be gone one day soon. All that matters is the mark you make on the world.
    duke105259on August 31, 2015   Link
  • +1
    General Commentdoes anybody know why co-wrote this song? I mean, who the guy actually is? Though it would be cool if he/she was an opera singer :)
    inlieuon August 11, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThe opera singer isn't anyone of any real importance, but his lifetime of being idolized has risen him up in his mind to near diety. He becomes the different roles he plays, and they give him a feeling of omnipitence and immortality.
    spweasleon April 21, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is simply about an opera singer. There is a profetic line when he says "I will sing when you're all dead". If you think about it, most cliassical works are still performed today and so even though the singer may actually change, he is still singing.
    motheiuson May 18, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI dont believe the song is limited only to "Opera Singers". The song, to me, is about any kind of primadonna, like the ones who tend to infest our popular entertainment and sports landscape today. They make remarks about how they are the best, and how they will never be forgotten, but in the end, they are often surpassed and forgotten.
    abstraxion99on June 27, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI always appreciated the (intentional, perhaps?) irony of John McCrea, with such a limited vocal range (that is actually more of a monologue speech than song), assuming the part of an opera singer.

    In any event, good song.
    headlessparroton May 02, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Commenti love the first verse. i wish painted tape told me where to go all the time (and where to throw my cape). life would be so easy. i hate opera. it needs to die. anyways....LOVE this song
    PeRdEdOron July 05, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSundaydriving; I was about to cap off the comments here with something very similar to what you just said... however, the manner in which you said it makes me laugh very much.

    I had a friend who's in ballet. (Before I say anything else, I want everyone to know that I certainly appreciate what it takes to become a good (ballet) dancer.) This girl's ego about it is Astronomical. She has the same attitude as the character in the song.
    "And every single morning/By 10 AM I'm dressed"
    In response to this, regular, working-class folk (such as myself), ask "Who cares?" and follow up with a good solid, "Go to hell," or, "I have other things to care about."

    The funny thing is, my friend is a flippin' novice. She's LOUSY.

    Hm, maybe it's just funny to me. (The REALLY funny part is when she'll practices in public. It makes her feel like people are watching and are impressed. it's the mentality of a five year old.)

    OH WELL. Well said, Sundaydriving. Good song.
    Greyshoeson August 04, 2005   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