Contender
Unveiling Shadows: The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's Contender Meaning
Lyrics
Look what you've done
Reflecting on the consequences of actions or decisions.
Look what you've done
Reiterating the impact of certain actions or choices.
What do you have now?
Questioning the current state or possessions resulting from those actions.
Things that never come
Alluding to unfulfilled promises or expectations.
Another year in a dead room
Expressing a sense of stagnation or lack of progress.
Is it time to come down?
Contemplating whether it is time for a change or transformation.
Another crowded scene
Observing a crowded environment or social situation.
You saw the boys in white sing "I'm a pretender"
Recalling a performance where someone claimed to be something they are not ("I'm a pretender").
But you never were
Asserting that the person referred to was never genuine or authentic.
You never were a contender
Emphasizing the person's lack of competitiveness or suitability.
A contender
Repeating the idea that the person was never a genuine competitor.
I heard your same old tune
Acknowledging familiarity with the person's repetitive behavior or expressions.
Singing city sins like you were the first one
Mocking the person's self-importance in committing common urban sins.
Gave up books for film
Choosing visual media (film) over intellectual pursuits (books).
Gave up film for time
Trading significant experiences (film) for the passing of time without meaningful achievements.
Now that you've got none
Highlighting the consequence of sacrificing meaningful pursuits and ending up with nothing.
At the back of a crowded scene
Observing a similar crowded setting as before.
You saw the boys in white sing "I'm a pretender"
Recalling another performance where someone falsely claimed to be a pretender.
At the back of a crowded scene
Repeating the scene described in line 20.
You saw the boys in white sing "I'm a pretender"
Reiterating the false pretense witnessed in line 21.
But you never were
Stressing once again that the person was never authentic or genuine.
You never were a contender
Reaffirming the person's lack of competitiveness or authenticity.
A contender
Restating the idea that the person never truly competed in the context mentioned.
You never were a contender
Repeating the assertion that the person was never a genuine competitor.
You never were a contender
Emphasizing, for the last time, that the person was never a true contender.
Comment