Something's happening
Don't speak too soon
I told the boss off, made my move
Got nowhere to go
Son of Sam
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer each and every time

I'm not uncomfortable feeling weird
Lonely leered, options disappeared
But I know what to do
Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love
Acting under orders from above

King for a day

Son of Sam
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer running out of time
Shiva opens her arms now
To make sure I don't get too far
I may talk in my sleep tonight
Cos I don't know what I am
I'm a little like you
More like Son of Sam



Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus

Track duration: 03:04

"Son of Sam" as written by Rick Beato, Brent Smith

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

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Son of Sam song meanings
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54 Comments

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  • -1
    General Comment:None of you guys read the comments (but I'll repost this from Stuffclg anyway) :
    "You guys really oughta like actually read about elliott before you interpret his songs. Like and interview or two. IT IS NOT ABOUT SON OF SAM. He actually said that, and that he was not thinking about Son of Sam at all.

    According to elliott the song is about destruction of relationships. Which, if you look at the rest of figure 8, makes a lot of sense. His albums werent concept albums, but they tended to have very similar themes. Self Titled-lots of drugs. XO-lots of references to interventions.

    Just guys. please more interviews, you can learn a lot from him. Sorry if i came off as a jerk, but, I spent 2 years researching all these songs."
    Flag completelyaddictedon October 27, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:I was at work and a song came on the store's radio and the piano part sounded a LOT like this song's... it sounded older, therefore i assume maybe elliott borrowed the melody or something? if anyone can help me figure this out, please reply!
    Flag randommusicdudeon September 28, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think it's a bout america. Sam being uncle sam, the rest just seems to make sense. son of a doctor's touch a nurse's love, acting under orders from above, thats america!
    Flag LivinInTheDayon September 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:I think vaguely this song is about doing something that you really want to do but has a hard consequence, though I'm not sure about what though.

    "I told the boss off a made my move"

    A metaphor, Say your at work and don't wanna do what your boss tells you so you say no, which feels good at the time but the consequence is you'll have to deal with it tomorrow.

    After searching 'son of sam' I came with "The phrase Son of Sam Law refers to a type of law designed to keep criminals from profiting from their crimes", which would fit well with what I said before.

    Perhaps the thing it is talking about is in a relationship. It could be to do with musical descions he makes like; by not doing what will make number 1 hits and doing what he really feels is right though the record company would be annoyed and lose money.
    Flag tycobb123on March 30, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Now, correct me if I'm wrong, or missing something, but isn't Shiva male??
    Flag ameristarfreeon January 14, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Son of Sam is metaphor for being a fucked up product of abuse. You know he can't form relationships or hold relationships because of this. Hence couple killer each and everytime. The ending shows that he is scared of himself.
    Flag Brenguyon November 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:the video really reminds me of this quote from american beauty

    "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst"
    Flag aiancwebbon May 10, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:This song is about interpretation of oneself and the conflict within. It gives a sense of awe about what we are capable of, be it good or evil.

    We've spawned from the love of a mother and the slap of a docter, to be thrown into the world to make our move, with nowhere to go.

    We've the courage to not feel weird being out of our comfort zone, but we don't really have any other choice.

    God's embrace keeps us close, but when you look at me, you are not looking at an image of yourself, but at a demon within.

    What the hell are we?

    Great Song Elliott!
    Flag bluesbegger123on May 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always thought Shiva had a dual meaning - chiva, Mexican slang for heroin. But maybe I'm just looking too hard for oblique smack references.
    Flag panopticianon February 17, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Is it not about the media's need for a villain; or hero?

    If this was on Dreamworks then ES's feelings about being commercialised were well documented and this song hones in on the way he felt molested.

    The references to Berkowitz just reflect the way the media has pin-ups to gain eyes, the same way the music press has - and he didn't want to be part of it.
    Flag Hobbespawnon October 06, 2008   Link

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