Lyrics That Sound Nice, but make no sense — Page 3

As soon as I read the title of this thread, I knew the Wicked/"bridges" lyric was either the subject or would be thrown out there soon. It's not that difficult. It is about being so emotionally wrapped up in current events, you don't realize that you have reached a metaphorical destination until you are suddenly there. Glinda didn't know she was crossing a bridge into life filled with self-delusion when she made the decision not to go with Elphaba. Elphaba knew exactly what she had to do and what would probably result from her actions. Glinda's foresight was not as clear. I think it's a brilliant lyric perfectly placed in the show.

"I ask forgiveness for the things I've done, you blame me for..."

Not sure why this is so confusing, but in context with the rest of the lines, it is even more clear.

(Elphaba):
And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both):
And none of it seems to matter anymore

Makes sense to me. Elphaba's asking forgiveness, not for everything she's done, but for the wrongs she knew she committed against Glinda as well as any wrongs she may have committed unknowingly.

"As someone told me lately, everyone deeserves the chance to fly" - someone told you LATELY? What?

The Wizard used those exact words to Elphaba during Sentimental Man, which happens around the same time, so yes, it was lately.

So Elphaba, I'd like to raise you high
'Cuz I think everyone deserves
The chance to fly

I do agree with Purple Summer, however. When I saw the show, I had no idea what they were singing about. My boyfriend and I burst out laughing.

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The Wizard used those exact words to Elphaba during Sentimental Man, which happens around the same time, so yes, it was lately.

I think it's the word lately. Wouldn't you (if not striving to find a word to fit the meter) use the word recently there? Doesn't lately imply something ongoing?

wow. i think this is a good idea for a thread because there are lyrics out there that really dont make sense.

but the selections are disturbing. corn as high as an elephants eye... is a lyric that makes sense. the corn was high. how high? as high as an elephants eye. thats called exaggeration. it does not imply there was an elephant standing next to the corn. jesus.

same goes for "its our funeral"- its not their literal funeral. i think it means "were all screwed."

and the avenue Q lyric is SUPPOSED to be cute like that- it cant be all AND partly your fault. its supp to be clever.

Yeah, a lot of this thread is people taking issue with metaphors.

Updated On: 11/26/08 at 11:19 AM

no, the inside part can be referred to as a ceiling, not the outside... but the roof itself is BOTH parts, both the CEILING and EXTERNAL!

ROOF IS BOTH
CELING IS JUST THE UNDERSIDE!

Eva sings (twice):

So share my glory
So share my coffin

Che sings:

It's our funeral too

I can't possibly read this as anything other than agreement with her. In that context, sure, it "makes sense". But the question is WHY is Che agreeing with her? From Che's POV, it makes no sense.

Can't put it any more clearly than that, and I promise I won't try again!

its one thing to wonder the intent of the lyricist- what did Che mean when he said that? Why did Anita say "a boy who kills has no heart"- did she know Bernardo killed Riff? This kind of speculation is what theater nerds do.

But thats different than saying the lyrics dont make any sense- in both these examples- Evita and WSS- they absolutely do.

And in general, its kinda funny that all these "theater buffs" have no idea what the hell it is they are appreciating.

This thread totally describes most of the songs in Light in the Piazza. God, the score is close to perfect but lyrics are so "gentle" that they simply fall apart upon closer scrutiny.

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Yes, I believe that Mister Matt's interpretation about "it's our funeral too" is the closest to the original/"correct" intent. If you listen to either the OBC or especially the London Revival CR, it is obvious that Che is using that line to argue her and have the "last word."

He does not want to "party" because as a revolutionary he sees the constant death and destruction of his beloved country and though Eva's death is a "good" thing to him, Juan Peron is still alive and the Peron legacy has left Argentina in shambles. All he can do is curse her death and funeral by reminding her that "Hey, today is your funeral, but because of you, it is Argentina's funeral too"

I enjoy Wicked enough, but I do kinda feel like Schwartz wrote one draft of lyrics and never attempted to clean any of them up.

I haven't thought about Any Dream Will Do for like 10 years... At first thought, I was lost as to any answer to your question and felt that those lyrics are the most confusing thing ever.

However, after looking at the whole song, I think this was a dream Joseph had about the future (being taken to Egypt, his father crying and how he goes back to his family at the end). The show is a dream, his dream that comes true because Joseph can interpret dreams he is telling us what will happen. The only thing weird about this is that he says "I wore my coat" but at this point in the story Joseph has yet to receive the coat....??? Who knows, another Tim Rice mystery

Updated On: 11/26/08 at 02:22 PM

Weak lyrics can still make sense. I'm not arguing the quality of the lyrics, just whether or not their meaning or intent are confusing or misleading. The blame line makes sense to me every time I've heard it. Is it the best way to say it? Certainly not, but most lyrics are not as speech. I also don't think anyone goes around saying "s'wonderful" or "cherry pies ought to be you", but I know what they mean. I do think it is a weak line, but not difficult to understand.

The "As someone told me lately" line is inexcusable.

Why? It's a snide way of throwing the Wizard's words back into his face. "As so-and-so said to me lately" was a common way to both name-drop and toss out a clever bon-mot in order to impress others. I love how it is used here.

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