Sparks - I've Never Been High Lyrics

LYRICS 💖Songwriters: Ron and Russell Mael /Sparks

Thrill rides and places, wide-open spaces
Played in a band, such harmless novelties
Where's the forgetting, where's the regretting
Of lurid acts that never came to be

I've never been high, never been high, never been high
I've never been high, never been high, never been high

If I could buy it, maybe I'd try it
But my connections aren't what they once were
Paint me a picture, read me some scripture
Maybe I've should have stuck it out with her

I've never been high, never been high, never been high
I've never been high, never been high, never been high

I've never, I've never, I've never been high...

I've celebrated, birthdays and waited
Waited and waited, tomorrow's just a tease
Then I'll be something, then I'll be something
Look, there's a camera, smile on, and say "cheese"

I've never been high, never been hig, never been high
I've never been high, never been high, never been high...
💖💖💖💖💖

Interesting lyrics coming from two guys, young in the late sixties, in California 😂!

Seems to be an old man, looking back on his life, with mixed emotions. A little sad, actually. "Paint me some pictures, read me some scriptures", is that all there is? 🤔 😢 I hope my son will bring me a bottle of nice wine or two. AT LEAST. I don't care so much about "The Scriptures"...

("Anything autobiographical shouldn't be in a song, as far as I'm concerned" /Ron Mael. Hm...😉😉😂😂😂)

The hero isn't that old - it's the same pose as in When Do I Get To Sing My Way, Edith Piaf Said It Better, How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall, The Calm Before The Storm or Good Morning. The hero yearns for something spectacular and unique, to match the intensity of his very high hopes and burning desires (to be wildly successful, to live a passionate love story just like in an old Hollywood movie), but he's either stuck waiting or thinking that the big day never comes or maybe everything was just a cruel joke or maybe life is nowadays banal and lukewarm, so he's out of luck and deplores it in an artsy manner. All these are great songs with great lyrics and the autographical element is unmistakable. (A bottle of wine or two or three are in order while listening :) )

@clavable, Yes, I see what you mean, and with the other songs you mensioned I agree with you. Absolutely.
But in this one I still see an older man, looking back on fun and interesting things he has done, but also what he didn't do. Things he understands now that they didn't come by them selves. He celebrated birthdays and waited for something to come, "lurid acts that never came to be".
To me is that about a picture and scripture the old cliché, grandchildren's painting and reading the Bible, while people expect you to pass any day.
Of course we all are entitled to an own opinion!
Maybe I'm cynical?😉

On the other hand, I care so much for the guy in 'Good Morning'... 🙄 He can be in any age, from 20 to 100! "...but will he ever wish you a good morning?" 😢 I must have listened to that song 1000 times, and still have a sting in my heart when I hear it 😂!

I must add my late Mother's words:

"In the end of everything, you won't regret what you have done, but everything you DIDN'T do."

She meant what good you know you should have done, but also everything else, maybe a little bit naughty and inappropriate or those things you just let slip by.
She spoke wisely, I think.

(Perhaps that's why I interpret this song the way I do? 🤔)

A song not deserving of its obscurity.

great song and very crisp High Definition picture