Little Pieces
Unveiling Shadows: George Gaudy's Soulful Puzzle in 'Little Pieces'
Lyrics
They say
Introduction to what "they say."
They say I 'm a nice guy
Acknowledgment of being perceived as a nice guy.
They say I 'm a good man
Acknowledgment of being perceived as a good man.
That that's what I am
Affirmation of self-identity as a good person.
But you
Addressing someone directly, possibly a significant other.
You will discover
Hinting at a revelation or discovery about the speaker.
You will uncover
Emphasizing the act of uncovering something hidden.
How dark is my heart
Revelation about the darkness within the speaker's heart.
So I
Continuation of the speaker's narrative.
I 've made an effort
Expressing effort in gathering fragmented aspects of the speaker's soul.
To collect the little pieces of my soul
Intent to present these gathered pieces to someone.
For you
Highlighting the purpose of the effort, which is for the addressed person.
To make an effort
Encouraging the addressed person to make an effort as well.
To solve the puzzle and to make me whole
Desire for the addressed person to help complete the speaker.
Again
Acknowledging the hope for a sense of wholeness again.
So I
Repetition of the speaker's intention to play the role of a nice guy.
I 'll play the nice guy
Commitment to maintaining the image of a good man.
I 'be the good man
Reiteration of the speaker's determination to be a good man.
That's what I 'll be
Confirmation of the speaker's identity as a good man.
Cause people like to laugh at a falling man
Reason for the speaker's efforts: society's tendency to mock the fallen.
People like to look by they don't see
Observation of people's superficiality, seeing but not understanding.
They 'll watch you while you fall
Description of onlookers enjoying the speaker's downfall.
Their faces light with glee
Highlighting the joy on the faces of those witnessing the speaker's struggles.
And then they say they 're doing all they can
People claim to be helpful, but their actions suggest otherwise.
People like to frown, people like to kick you
People's inclination to frown upon and kick others when they're down.
When you 're down
Emphasizing the negative actions directed at the speaker during hardship.
So I
Continuation of the speaker's narrative.
I've made an effort
Reiteration of the speaker's effort to gather the fragments of the soul.
To collect the little pieces of my soul
Similar to line 14, emphasizing the purpose is for the addressed person.
For you
Repeating the call for the addressed person to make an effort.
To make an effort
Reiteration of the addressed person's role in solving the speaker's puzzle.
To solve the puzzle and to make me whole
Desire for completeness and wholeness through the addressed person's efforts.
Again
Reaffirmation of the hope to regain a sense of wholeness.
Comment