I started a joke which started the whole world crying
But I didn't see that the joke was on me oh no
I started to cry which started the whole world laughing
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me

I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said
'Till I finally died which started the whole world living
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me

I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said
'Till I finally died which started the whole world living
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me
Oh no that the joke was on me



Lyrics submitted by Solo

Track duration: 03:10

"I Started a Joke" as written by Barry Gibb, Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


I Started A Joke song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:I believe this song was based on the 1941 film "The Devill
    Flag OldPunkyon August 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:i was under the impression the song was about adolf hitler. he started the holocaust, which was devastating to the whole world. and once he died, everyone was happy. maybe not all the lyrics apply but it seems like a legit interpretation. my mother told me about this and the bee gees we're popular when she was a teenager so i'm assuming we're not the only ones that interpreted this song this way.
    Flag xocarolynroseon June 20, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:"This is a very spiritual song. The listeners have to interpret it themselves – trying to explain it would detract from the song."
    (Robin Gibb, The Mail On Sunday November 1, 2009)
    Flag voltaboltaon May 21, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about Jesus rising again after his death on the cross.
    Flag songmeaningsfanon April 10, 2012   Link
  • -2
    General Comment:God started a joke which started my whole world crying
    But I didn't see that the joke was on me
    I started to cry which started my whole world crumbling
    Oh if I only see that the joke was on me

    I look at the sky running my hands over my eyes
    And I'm losing myself hurting inside from things in my mind
    Till I finally see which starts my whole world changing
    Oh if I only see that the joke was on me

    Oh Should I thank God for a life which He well arranged
    Or I should have weeped hard for a fate I have no say
    Till time finally comes which starts my whole world lively
    Oh if I only see that the joke was on me
    Flag OrientalPearlon February 13, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I agree with the devil version and some of your other comments.

    My version:
    I was thinking of somebody who takes life as a joke, like a big crazy party, think he knows better, doesn't accept any opinions, rules or limits, and is constantly searching for the biger high (I can also imagine him doing a bunch of hard drugs, but this part is not necessary). The world around him is crying, but he feels supperior than everybody else, it's all a joke to him. When it all catches up with him, he breaks down, and he feels that all the people around him are laughing at him, that everybody is against him and they are happy he is is down... In the light of all this mood swinging he does or says things he doesn't mean, and he worries about it, when it catches up with him.

    What he doesn't realize is, that the joke is on him, that is, it's not about him at all, that the whole world is not against him and his ideas, that its all just an ilussion caused by his selfishness, the ego. If this "lens" that is his ego dies, the whole world becomes beautiful and full of life again.
    Flag istartedajokeon April 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about influential people with bad ideas.
    Flag Daveleekon March 31, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I kind of agree with Iron13, but simpler. Like the guy was in a group of people, like a party, and made a comment that he though would be funny, but turned out to be taken very offensively. Or mentioned a dark secret that he thought was out in the open.

    For example; A man mentions on the internet how his brother in law has come out of the closet, only to find out that no one outside of the family knew, and now the whole world knows, and he is considered a jerk because of it.

    Another example: Any Ben Stiller movie where he is the main character, (Something About Mary, Meet the Parents, etc.)
    Flag mbdingoson April 24, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:There is a website that explains it by someone who knew the band...that may help.....It's napathon.net/… started a joke.php
    Flagged belreynoon April 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:another thing... the world doesn't have to be the whole thing. It could be his little bubble he lives in, which we all know we get caught up in and consider that to be "our world".
    Flag Iron13on April 02, 2010   Link

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