Opera Singer

this 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.

It'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?

Although 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.

does 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 :)

The 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.

This 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.

I 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.

I 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.

i 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

Sundaydriving; 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.