Green Grass
Illusions of Green Grass: Bill Withers' Reflection on Society
Lyrics
Looking out at the people looking in
Observing others while being observed
Feeling good must be some kind of sin
Suggesting feeling good might be seen as wrong
Looking in at the people looking out
Being scrutinized by others
Feeling guilty, scared to move about
Feeling guilty and restricted in movement due to fear
Looking up at the people looking down
Feeling inferior to those considered above
Taking tranquilizers by the pound
Using substances to cope with stress or anxiety
Looking down at the people looking up
Looking down on others, possibly feeling superior
Getting mad 'cause they can't get enough
Others' frustration due to unfulfilled desires
Ah, but that green grass on the other side
Desire for what others have, but it might not be real
Is just an illusion
The allure of something unattainable
We all have our own confusion
Recognizing personal confusion and misconceptions
Rich people watching the people poor
Wealthy observing the less fortunate, seeking more
Trying to figure out how to get some more
Desire for greater wealth
Poor people watching people rich
Less fortunate observing the wealthy
You know, they call them dirty you-know-which
Labeling and discriminating against the wealthy
Ugly people watching the people pretty
Less attractive individuals feeling inadequate
Say they can't get down to the nitty-gritty
Difficulty embracing essential matters
Pretty people watching people ugly
Attractive individuals judging less attractive ones
Say I sure couldn't stand you to kiss and hug me
Disdain for intimacy with less attractive people
Ah, but that green grass on the other side
Repeated idea of an illusory ideal
Is just an illusion
Reiterating the theme of misconceptions and illusions
We all have our own confusion
Restating the prevalence of personal confusion
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