☝️ Key Points
- The song is about the experience of loneliness and independence.
- The lyrics reflect the loneliness and vulnerability of the singer in his youth.
- It's about the desire for independence, creativity, and human connection.
- The singer wants to go at his own pace and not compare himself to others.
- It's a song about the joys and challenges of having time for oneself and following one's own path.
Interpretation
"Left to My Own Devices" is a song by
Pet Shop Boys that deals with the experience of being alone and independent. The lyrics reflect the thoughts and feelings one can have when having time for oneself and no interference from others.
The song starts with the singer getting out of bed and calling a friend who likes to party. He watches the news and drinks tea. Maybe they go shopping together. The singer describes preferring to go at his own pace and not compete or talk with others on the street. He can get the best out of the party company, but he doesn't want to measure himself against them.
The lyrics also reflect the singer's loneliness in his youth. He felt weak and joyless. But in his own world in the backyard, he had a secret identity as a general. It's a metaphor for him being a strong person in his imagination.
Later in the song, the singer wonders whether he should write a book or go on stage. However, he hears in the back of his mind the sounds of Che Guevara and Debussy to a disco beat. It shows that he wants to be creative and rebellious, but also have fun.
The lyrics end with the singer being alone at home watching a fight on TV. He tries to distract himself by using the phone, preparing food, and maybe staying up all night waiting for the moment he hears someone say that he is loved.
Overall, "Left to My Own Devices" expresses the desire for independence, creativity, and human connection. It is a song about the joys and challenges of having time for oneself and going one's own way.