Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz Lyrics Meaning – Unlocking the Psychedelic Maze of Consciousness


You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Gorillaz's Clint Eastwood at Lyrics.org.
Article Contents:
  1. Music Video
  2. Lyrics
  3. Song Meaning

Lyrics

Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo

I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on

Yeah
Finally, someone let me out of my cage
Now time for me is nothing ’cause I’m counting no age
Now I couldn’t be there
Now you shouldn’t be scared
I’m good at repairs
And I’m under each snare
Intangible
Bet you didn’t think so I command you to
Panoramic view
Look, I’ll make it all manageable
Pick and choose
Sit and lose
All you different crews
Chicks and dudes
Who you think is really kickin’ tunes?
Picture you gettin’ down in a picture tube
Like you lit the fuse
You think it’s fictional?
Mystical? Maybe
Spiritual
Hero who appears in you to clear your view when you’re too crazy
Lifeless
To those the definition for what life is
Priceless
To you because I put you on the hype shit
You like it?
Gun smokin’ righteous with one toke
You’re psychic among those
Possess you with one go

I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long
The future (that’s right) is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on

The essence, the basics
Without it, you make it?
Allow me to make this
Childlike in nature
Rhythm
You have it or you don’t, that’s a fallacy
I’m in them
Every sprouting tree
Every child of peace
Every cloud and sea
You see with your eyes
I see destruction and demise (that’s right)
Corruption in disguise
From this fuckin’ enterprise
Now I’m sucked into your lies
Through Russel, not his muscles but percussion he provides
For me as a guide
Y’all can see me now ’cause you don’t see with your eye
You perceive with your mind
That’s the inner
So I’ma stick around with Russ and be a mentor
Bust a few rhymes so motherfuckers remember where the thought is
I brought all this
So you can survive when law is lawless (right here)
Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead
No squealing, remember that it’s all in your head

I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long
The future is coming on
I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad
I got sunshine in a bag
I’m useless, but not for long
My future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
My future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
My future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
My future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
My future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
My future is coming on
It’s coming on
It’s coming on
My future

Full Lyrics

When Gorillaz released ‘Clint Eastwood’ as part of their self-titled debut album in 2001, it not only disrupted the music scene with its blended genre approach but also embedded cryptic messages within its striking lyrics. The virtual band, masterminded by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, has always been more than meets the eye. Unpacking ‘Clint Eastwood’ is akin to peeling an onion, with each layer revealing a deeper understanding of existential musings, societal observations, and personal introspection.

The song’s haunting melody and the enigmatic chorus create a dichotomy that pulls listeners into a speculative trance. We explore the thematic intricacies and decode the vibrant poetry that Gorillaz has intricately woven into this timeless track, offering a glimpse into the future, self-realization, and the pursuit of enlightenment amidst the chaos of the material world.

Sunshine in a Bag: The Paradox of Joy and Lament

The recurrent chorus, ‘I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad / I got sunshine in a bag / I’m useless, but not for long / The future is coming on,’ is an oxymoron that serves as the backbone of the song’s essence. The ‘sunshine in a bag’ can be interpreted as a metaphor for potential or bottled-up success that has yet to be released. The juxtaposition of sadness and gladness encapsulates a very human emotion, highlighting the temporality of our feelings and the constant change that life brings.

This ambivalent feeling resonates with many who feel confined by their current circumstances yet optimistic about what the future holds. The term ‘useless’ mirrors a societal pressure to always be productive, hinting at the liberation one feels when they finally break free from shackles of self-doubt and embrace the change that’s ‘coming on.’

The Liberation of the Mind: Breaking Free from Mental Confinement

The lyrics, ‘Finally, someone let me out of my cage,’ symbolize a release from mental imprisonment. The character in the song expresses the limitlessness of existence once freed from the ‘cage’ of conventional thinking. The themes of agelessness and timeless wisdom reinforce the notion of an enlightened mind transcending physical confines.

The bands’ lyrical prowess takes us through a psychological journey of empowerment and liberation. Coupled with its unique soundscapes, ‘Clint Eastwood’ provides a sonic rebuke to the fears that hold us captive within our own minds. It encourages listeners to challenge perceptions, urging them to ‘see with your mind’ rather than with the limited view of the eyes.

Destruction, Demise, and Hope: The Hidden Meaning Deciphered

In a broader sense, ‘Clint Eastwood’ whispers an apocalyptic tone, ‘I see destruction and demise (that’s right) / Corruption in disguise.’ It fixes a lens on society’s darker undercurrents, perhaps as a commentary on the cyclic nature of human history where power structures often lead to societal decay.

However, the song is far from a doomsday narrative. It also points toward the resilience of the human spirit, a recurring theme in Gorillaz’s music. Through the rubble of demise, the future is still ‘coming on,’ carrying a torch of hope that illuminates the path for regeneration and renewal.

Chronicle of a Beat: The Signature Rhythm and Its Purpose

While the lyrics navigate profound depths, the song’s rhythm cannot be ignored. The beat becomes the pulse of the track, a heartbeat that revives the ‘childlike in nature’ simplicity. As Del the Funky Homosapien delivers his verses, he speaks of rhythm as something you innately possess or don’t—a conglomeration of instinct and soul.

This rhythm is omnipresent, weaving through every aspect of existence, ‘Every sprouting tree / Every child of peace.’ It fosters a unity between the listener and the song, where each beat ushers in an almost physiological response that bonds us to the music. The beat becomes a guide, a metronome for the message the song delivers.

Memorable Lines That Echo Through Time

The prophetic words, ‘Feelings, sensations that you thought was dead / No squealing, remember that it’s all in your head,’ resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt disconnected or numbed by life’s turmoil. These lines serve a dual purpose—reminding us that our reality is largely interpreted and given meaning by our inner psyche, and that the power to change our circumstances lies within our perception.

The poetic nature of these lines has allowed them to become a mantra for fans, a reminder to question the veracity of one’s fears and limitations. It’s a declaration of the mind’s power to defy existential dread and to acknowledge that our view of the future, whether bright or bleak, is ultimately of our own making.

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