I think, this song is about personal growth: Feeling yourself and standing above it all. In my mind comes the picture of a person who was manipulated a lot in the past and finally learned to break free and to derive self worth from within, not the acknowledgment of others.
Another interpretation could be that the lyrics are about everyday sexism and how a woman learned to deal with it and stand above it all.
"They’re almost falling over you
Why don’t they call a truce
Whatever they are trying to do
It’s of little use
They’re drowning you in compliments
Trying to furnish proof
And though they speak with eloquence
There is little truth"
The lyrical subject gets a lot of attention and false compliments by people, who pretend to be friends, but it's more appearance than substance. S/he doesn't buy what the say, s/he knows of their insincerity.
"You’re bright
You’re strong
You know your right from wrong
At least to some degree
You’re wise
You’re tough
You’ve heard their lies enough
You smile in sympathy
I’m watching your serenity
The way your soul transcends
Their tedious obscenities
Your patience never ends"
Here it gets clear that the lyrical subject learned his/her lesson and is calm and above it all. S/he is bored by their feigned admiration and attempts of manipulation.
"And as the night begins to fade
You’re heading for the door
Followed by a sad parade
You’re on your own once more"
When all the people are gone who pretend to be supportive but want to take advantage of his/her, s/he is alone again - but it's still better than to fall for their lies.
It ends with the chorus, so the song is still empowering and positive - with a slight sad touch.
I think, this song is about personal growth: Feeling yourself and standing above it all. In my mind comes the picture of a person who was manipulated a lot in the past and finally learned to break free and to derive self worth from within, not the acknowledgment of others. Another interpretation could be that the lyrics are about everyday sexism and how a woman learned to deal with it and stand above it all.
"They’re almost falling over you Why don’t they call a truce Whatever they are trying to do It’s of little use
They’re drowning you in compliments Trying to furnish proof And though they speak with eloquence There is little truth"
The lyrical subject gets a lot of attention and false compliments by people, who pretend to be friends, but it's more appearance than substance. S/he doesn't buy what the say, s/he knows of their insincerity.
"You’re bright You’re strong You know your right from wrong At least to some degree You’re wise You’re tough You’ve heard their lies enough You smile in sympathy
I’m watching your serenity The way your soul transcends Their tedious obscenities Your patience never ends"
Here it gets clear that the lyrical subject learned his/her lesson and is calm and above it all. S/he is bored by their feigned admiration and attempts of manipulation.
"And as the night begins to fade You’re heading for the door Followed by a sad parade You’re on your own once more"
When all the people are gone who pretend to be supportive but want to take advantage of his/her, s/he is alone again - but it's still better than to fall for their lies. It ends with the chorus, so the song is still empowering and positive - with a slight sad touch.