Story Behind The Song
The song is inspired by the songwriter's father, who called one day to say "I have a song idea for you"...it is about a man contemplating whether he would go to heaven or hell after dying...feeling like he is not worthy of the company of saintly people in heaven, but undeserving of the company one might find in hell, consequently, stuck in the middle.
Song Description
This song is about a man contemplating whether he would go to heaven or hell after dying...feeling like he is not worthy of the company of saintly people in heaven, but undeserving of the company one might find in hell, consequently, stuck in the middle.
| Song Length |
3:42 |
Genre |
Rock - Americana, Country - Americana |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Stressed, Engaging |
Subject |
Heaven, Hell |
| Similar Artists |
Johnny Cash, The Decemberists |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Breaking bread at dinner was King David and two saints
Saint Michael, Saint Peter, talking all about their faith
David turned to Peter, said, you're looking good old friend
Pete replied, I almost died, I thought it was the end
No one wanted you- he said, your journey isn't through
Heaven has a waiting list and Hell there is no room
When we go...Is it up or down below?
Stuck in the middle
I'm a man who doesn't know...man in the middle
When we die... Is it down or to the sky?
Always a riddle
Until I find out why, I'm... A man in the middle
A man...man in the middle
Don't deserve the company of Mother Teresa
Don't belong with Hitler or the Fascist creeps and scum
Never felt saintly enough to climb to Heaven's gate
But to descend the steps of Hell just cannot be my fate
When we go...Is it up or down below?
Stuck in the middle
I'm a man who doesn't know... man in the middle
When we die... Is it down or to the sky?
Always a riddle
Until I find out why, I'm... A man in the middle
A man...man in the middle
Seems we're never good enough to ever please the boss
Yet we're never bad enough to be canned and get tossed
Always someone higher up saying you're not good enough
Seems at times life is unfair.... so often it is tough
One thing that is certain when the curtain falls
as it's untethered the next stop will be better
When we go...Is it up or down below?
Stuck in the middle
I'm a man who doesn't know... man in the middle
When we die... Is it down or to the sky?
Always a riddle
Until I find out why, I'm... A man in the middle
A man...man in the middle, A man...man in the middle