Song Meaning
The lyrics open with a speaker observing someone waking up in a foul mood, noting their "strange, original" demeanor. There's an immediate, almost playful concern as the speaker wonders if a bad dream—"white ghosts on the pillow" or "a lion in the garden"—is to blame for the morning's chaos.
This initial tenderness quickly shifts. The speaker describes being present, "courteous and full of love," offering comfort. Yet, a surprising reversal occurs: the speaker finds themselves "surprised" to be caressed in return. This unexpected interaction, highlighted by the repeated "but look at that," suggests a dynamic where the speaker's intended role as comforter is subtly upended, perhaps by the other person's persistent, dream-like state.
The tone then sharpens, revealing a deeper tension. The speaker reiterates the other's "strange, original" nature but now calls themselves "even funnier" for enduring these "manias." This line is crucial, transforming the initial curiosity into a weary acknowledgment of ongoing eccentricities. The playful questions about dreams now feel like a euphemism for a more ingrained, challenging aspect of the relationship.
The song culminates in a stark declaration. The speaker repeats the question "But what's wrong with you?" not out of concern, but as a prelude to a firm boundary. They assert they will no longer be a "target" or "the victim of your dreams," promising to leave. The repeated phrase, "He/She/It will go away, you'll see," delivers a powerful, almost resigned finality, making it clear that the speaker's patience has run out with the other person's dream-induced or dream-like behaviors.