This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Now you see me, now you don't
Don't ask me where I'm at
'Cause I'm a million miles away
Treated like a forbidden heel
Don't say my thoughts are not for real
Or you won't see me again
Am I here or am I there
Or am I playing on the stairs?
Am I in my room with my toys?
I am the disappearing boy
When I walk in crowded rooms
I feel as if it is my doom
I know that I don't belong
In that room I see her
I see her, and she's with him
I turn, and then I'm gone
Don't call me up 'cause I'm not home
My whereabouts are now unknown
I vanished from all your joy
I'm the disappearing boy
I have my doubts
Of where I belong
It's something to think about
Don't call me up 'cause I'm not home
My whereabouts are now unknown
I vanished from all your joy
I'm the disappearing boy
Don't ask me where I'm at
'Cause I'm a million miles away
Treated like a forbidden heel
Don't say my thoughts are not for real
Or you won't see me again
Am I here or am I there
Or am I playing on the stairs?
Am I in my room with my toys?
I am the disappearing boy
When I walk in crowded rooms
I feel as if it is my doom
I know that I don't belong
In that room I see her
I see her, and she's with him
I turn, and then I'm gone
Don't call me up 'cause I'm not home
My whereabouts are now unknown
I vanished from all your joy
I'm the disappearing boy
I have my doubts
Of where I belong
It's something to think about
Don't call me up 'cause I'm not home
My whereabouts are now unknown
I vanished from all your joy
I'm the disappearing boy
Lyrics submitted by youth_underground
Disappearing Boy Lyrics as written by Frank E. Billie Joe Armstrong
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Awww.... yeah, this is an awesome song. It's about a guy who can't get over the fact that the one he loves is with someone else. He doesn't want to be involved in everyone else's happiness since he's miserable, so he becomes the "disappearing boy". I liked the lines "Treated like a forbidden heel / Don't say my thoughts are not for real / Or you won't see me again". I think this is saying that no one understands what he's going through with this, and trying to convince him that he's overreacting would alienate him further. Yeah, Billie Joe is just awesome.