Simon Smith And His Amazing Dancing Bear

[jenstar]

Is this song a metaphor for something or am I looking too deeply for a meaning that isn't there?

[ChrisPBacon]

Probably the latter. I think it's just a light hearted song about a performer with a gimmick. If you're looking for songs to analyse for "hidden" meanings there are loads more obvious ones to choose such as "Golden Brown", "Turning Japanese" and "There She Goes".

[mikewith]

Written by Randy Newman. The man's a heroic lyricist and afraid of nothing. I'd suggest that this song, written in the first throes of fame way back when, may be an ever-so-gently caustic put-down of the way celebrity makes complete strangers fawn over you, give you freebies and invite you to all the best parties - something Newman would have been dealing with and been amused by at the time. Though I may be wildly mistaken.

I may go out tomorrow if I can borrow a coat to wear
Oh, I'd step out in style with my sincere smile and my dancing bear
Outrageous, alarming, courageous, charming
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing how fair people can be


Seen at the nicest places where well-fed faces all stop to stare
Making the grandest entrance is Simon Smith and his dancing bear
They'll love us, won't they?
They feed us, don't they?
Oh, who would think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It's just amazing how fair people can be


Who needs money when you're funny?
The big attraction everywhere
Will be Simon Smith and his dancing bear
It's Simon Smith and the amazing dancing bear