Sat in Your Lap by Kate Bush Lyrics Meaning – The Pursuit of Knowledge and Its Discontents
Lyrics
And see it working for them
And so I want to join in
But then I find it hurts me
Some say that knowledge is something sat in your lap
Some say that knowledge is something that you never have
I see the people happy
So can it happen for me?
‘Cause when I am unhappy
There’s nothing that can move me
Some say that knowledge is something that you never have
Some say that knowledge is something sat in your lap
Some say that heaven is hell
Some say that hell is heaven
I must admit, just when I think I’m king
(I just begin)
Just when I think I’m king, I must admit
(I just begin)
Just when I think I’m king
(I just begin)
I’ve been doing it for years
My goal is moving near
It says, look, I’m over here
Then it up and disappears
Some say that knowledge is something sat in your lap
Some say that knowledge is ho-ho-ho-ho
I want to be a lawyer
I want to be a scholar
But I really can’t be bothered
Ooh, just gimme it quick, gimme it, gimme gimme gimme gimme!
Some say that knowledge is ho-ho-ho
Some say that knowledge is ho-ho-ho
Some say that heaven is hell
Some say that hell is heaven
I must admit, just when I think I’m king
(I just begin)
Just when I think I’m king, I must admit
(I just begin)
Just when I think everything’s going great
(I just begin)
I get the break
Hey, I’m gonna take it all
(I just begin)
When I’m king
(Just begin)
In my dome of ivory
A home of activity
I want the answers quickly
But I don’t have no energy
I hold a cup of wisdom
But there is nothing within
My cup, she never overfloweth
And ’tis I that moan and groaneth
Some grey and white matter
(Give me the karma, mama)
I’m coming up the ladder
I’m coming up the ladder
(A jet to Mecca)
Up the ladder
(Tibet or Jeddah)
(To Salisbury)
(A monastery)
(The longest journey)
(Across the desert)
(Across the weather)
(Across the elements)
(Across the water)
With driving percussion and the haunting chants of its chorus, ‘Sat in Your Lap’ delivers a cacophony of sound paralleling the inner turmoil of the quest for enlightenment. Released in 1981, this thought-provoking single precedes Kate Bush’s revered album ‘The Dreaming’ and sets the stage for an era of her career marked by ambitious experimentation and profound lyricism.
Kate Bush’s ability to balance avant-garde soundscapes with penetrating lyrics in ‘Sat in Your Lap’ offers a glimpse into the human condition, exploring the paradoxes of intellectual pursuit. The unease of endless aspirations and the mirages of mastery stand stark against the backdrop of an unpredictable melody, crafting a timeless reflection on the wisdom we crave and yet often elude.
Diving into the Quest for Instant Gratification
Bush captures the impatience of human nature in our relentless pursuit of gratification. The line ‘I want to be a lawyer, I want to be a scholar, but I really can’t be bothered’ juxtaposes ambitious goals with the inertia of effort, exposing our desire for quick solutions in a world infatuated with shortcuts. Bush’s frenetic delivery embodies our collective impulsive need for rapid success amidst the trials of actual work.
This dichotomy resonates with today’s digital culture, where the pursuit of knowledge is frequently undercut by the paradox of choice and the allure of effortless results. ‘Sat in Your Lap’ challenges the listener to reconsider their approach to personal growth in a society where the end often justifies the means, however hollow the victory.
The Irony of the Intellectual Journey
Throughout ‘Sat in Your Lap,’ the narrative emphasizes the irony ingrained in striving for knowledge. The repeated sentiment ‘Some say that knowledge is something sat in your lap’ implies a passive acquisition of wisdom, conflicting with the grit required to truly comprehend and innovate. Knowledge, as suggested by Bush, is a paradox—it is both readily attainable and perpetually out of reach.
This irony is further potrayed in the lines ‘I see the people working, And see it working for them,’ only to reveal ‘But then I find it hurts me.’ Here, Bush illuminates the sometimes Sisyphean nature of intellectual pursuits, the pain of progress, and the existential ache that often accompanies our quest for meaning.
The Hidden Meaning: Navigating the Labyrinth of Enlightenment
Beneath the surface of the track’s seemingly playful tone lies a profound commentary on the nature of enlightenment. The mystical references to climbing ‘up the ladder’ to places of spiritual significance allude to the ascension towards wisdom, only to encounter the labyrinthine complexities of such a journey.
Bush weaves a tapestry of religious and historical imagery, from Mecca and Tibet to Salisbury, suggesting a universal struggle that transcends cultures and lifetimes. The quest for knowledge is depicted as a journey fraught with hurdles, challenging the seeker to traverse deserts, elements, and weather—a metaphor for the unpredictability and hardships inherent in the pursuit of greater understanding.
Striking Chords: Memorable Lines that Echo Through Time
‘Some say that heaven is hell, Some say that hell is heaven’—these lines blur the boundaries between dichotomous states, undoing established binaries. Here, Bush eloquently captures the relativity of perception and the subjectivity ingrained in our discernment of knowledge, truth, and ultimately, fulfillment.
The track features an abundance of lines that continue to resonate with listeners. ‘Just when I think I’m king, I must admit, I just begin’ expresses the humbling realization that accompanies each new summit reached in the terrain of knowledge. As listeners, we are privy to the cyclical nature of mastery and the continuous commencement that marks intellectual and spiritual expansion.
A Sonic Journey That Mirrors the Internal Strife
‘Sat in Your Lap’ is characterized by its tumultuous arrangement, evoking the inner chaos that accompanies learning and the agony and ecstasy of personal development. The frenzied tempo mimics the heartbeat of an individual on the brink of an epiphany, while the dissonant chorus symbolizes the multi-dimensional layers of comprehension.
As much as ‘Sat in Your Lap’ is an exploration of knowledge, it is also a showcase of Bush’s unique artistry. Her ability to encapsulate complex themes within an eclectic auditory experience underscores the potency of her craft. Through ‘Sat in Your Lap,’ Kate Bush offers not just a song but a sensory and cerebral adventure for her audience—an unforgettable brush with the divine discord of human understanding.
