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The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Protagonist" by the artist "They Might Be Giants"

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The song "Protagonist" by They Might Be Giants is a metaphor about a screenwriter who has lost control of his own story.

At the beginning of the song, the protagonist is going through a painful breakup. His ex ("she") takes not only his belongings but also, symbolically, his dreams and inspiration ("my 'air guitar'").

Further on, cinematic elements appear in the text: "location shooting", "shots", "close-up". The protagonist watches as his ex finds a new lover ("he") who turns out to be a more skillful manipulator ("sang to her like a bird").

Gradually, the protagonist realizes that he is being squeezed out of his own story. He compares himself to a screenwriter whose scenes are being cut, and his voice is drowned out in the general noise ("only my voice in a megaphone").

The final lines "I missed my close-up, it's all my fault" emphasize the guilt and regret of the protagonist who failed to hold on to either love or control over his creative vision.

She stole my daydreams

She stole my air guitar

[Exterior. Man on lawn, alone at dawn.]

Packed the typewriter

And drove off in her car

[A battered automobile drives past state line sign.]

And now I know that I'll rue the day

I let her get away

I need a haircut

I've got myself to blame

[A gloved hand spins a combination dial quickly opening a large wall safe.]

He wasn't so fine

To my beginner's mind

[Motel. The other man, severe, refined.]

But with that big talk

I should have seen the signs

[Woman enters and they embrace. He packs duct tape, rope.]

And right on her he was fixing his aim

He pushed me out of frame

I need new head shots

I've got myself to blame

[She spins her ring to hide the diamond in her hand and drops a gun into a small beaded purse.]

Know the diff between a script and a spec

It's a test, just the stage directions left

And no camera angles to use, mm-hmm

A novice script may seem strange in this format

But like any other business

It's a standard that the writer gets used to, aw-huh

My scenes are cut out

I'm just on speaker phone

For exposition

I'm out here on my own

And as the night falls on this sleepy town

The iris closes down

I missed my close-up

I've got myself to blame

I've got myself to blame

I've got myself to blame

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