Shangri-La

Album: Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) (1969)
Play Video
  • Now that you've found your paradise
    This is your kingdom to command
    You can go outside and polish your car
    Or sit by the fire in your Shangri-la

    Here's your reward for working so hard
    Gone on the lavatories in the back yard
    Gone all the days when you dreamed of that car
    You just want to sit in your shangri-la

    Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
    You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
    You're in your place and you know where you are
    In your Shangri-la
    Sit back in your old rocking chair
    You need not worry, you need not care
    You can't go anywhere
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la

    The little man who gets the train
    Has got a mortgage hanging over his head
    But he's too scared to complain
    'Cause he's conditioned that way
    Time goes by and he pays off his debts
    Got a T.V set and a radio
    For seven Shillings a week
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la

    All the houses on the street have got a name
    'Cause all the houses in the street they look the same
    Same chimney pots, same little cars, same window panes
    The neighbors call to tell you things that you should know
    They say their lines, they drink their tea, and then they go
    They tell your business in another Shangri-la
    The gas bills and the water rates, and payments on the car
    Too scared to think about how insecure you are
    Life ain't so happy in your little Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la la la la la la la la la

    Put on your slippers and sit by the fire
    You've reached your top and you just can't get any higher
    You're in your place and you know where you are
    In your Shangri-la
    Sit back in your old rocking chair
    You need not worry, you need not care
    You can't go anywhere
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la
    Shangri-la Writer/s: RAYMOND DOUGLAS DAVIES
    Publisher: Abkco Music Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 2

  • Kimberly from Landing, NjThe song seems to be reporting the sign of our on tour of times with values of respect.
  • Allison from A Little Ol' Town In, MiI like the gutar in the beginning. The beginning sounds kind of haunting. Cool
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.