A child has just been born. A start of new life and marking the beginning of the song. . This gives the listeners/audience an impression that the song will be about this child and his relationship to with the persona.

The use of :"When you coming home son? I don't know when" spoken by the father before and is repeated at the end of song has a profound impact on the listener. A feeling of regret the father must feel. Revealing a dramatic irony in the fact that his son has grown up just to be like his father.

The boy seems to still admire his father greatly. Further emphasized by the repetition of " I'm gonna be like him". I fear that this boy is blind in his faith that he his following the wrong role-model.

He is becoming akin to his father. When offered to spend time with his father. He refuses as he is more involved with his own life.

Turning the ongoing trend of their relationship on its heads. The Son has grown up and like he said "I'm gonna be like him". When the Son wanted to spend time with his father, he refused. Now when the father wants to spend time with his son, like his father, he refused. Not because of any intention to neglect but because they were caught up with their own lives.

Revealing the irony in the song where the son would sadly grow up to be like his father.

I have a feeling where there is an absence between each stage of the song. The song jumps from each stage to stage leaving gaps in-between that is the chorus. This, to me, reveals what its like to be the Persona to be like the Father. Where he would be away from his Son during his growth and only would reappear at each stage in his Son's growth. I believe this serves to manifest a sense of perspective for the listener, what its like for the father. How, in the eyes of the father, time can pass by so quickly and you end up missing the important people in your life.

This Chorus is repeated 4 times coming back after every stage, after each stage of the fathers and sons relationship. Each time making its symbolism and its meaning more clearer, the theme of wealth, growth and youth.

The roles have switched, the boy has grown up and left to take up his own responsibilities. The father working all his life for him.

When the Son tells his dad that he is unable to spend time with him. He explains that "my new job's a hassle, and the kids have the flu" implying that he has a career and has a family. Showing that life has been well for him. He would love to spend time with his dad but is unable to, their roles have reversed.

The son has been given good life opportunities. The father being able to provide as such, financially. Giving him the ability to pursue higher education as such. Showing for the fruits of his father's labor.

Although having been disappointed again by his father he still seems to have some content and satisfaction within him to be able to continue smiling.

As a short, two word, reply to his father. "that's okay" shows his disappointment and an attempt to hide it. He must have felt crestfallen

I see that the father, despite being distant from his son, has the effort to buy a gift for him. A gift to show for his hard work and displaying a silver lining for his sacrifice. "Can you teach me to throw, I said-a not today" makes me feel very disappointed and I'm sure the son is too. the Father was able afford him a present however is not able to afford the time to play with him. Being occupied with work as always. Further emphasizing the theme of separation and sacrifice.

This line refers to the Son, a simile, comparing him to man. Showing how much he has grown up since he was a boy.

Again the use of "the other day" marks his son turning ten years old. A theme of growth and development for the boy.

There is some hope for them, "You know we'll have a good time then" a chance to finally bond. However, the way this dialogue is presented can imply that the son is calling his dad from home. In this way I can imagine that the father is busy at work behind the phone and that he does not have long to talk. So he fabricates a lie, a vague promise to please his son.

A possible reference to children songs or nursery rhymes. Referring to the symbolism of the theme of growth. Children songs are typically a happy occasion however in this context its use can be quite gloomy, as the son is enjoying a nursery song in conscience he is reminded of his father's absence.

On the Theme of the Father and son relationship, being away from his child during his youth. Setting an atmosphere for the whole song where the Father would be distant from his Son. I see the theme of growth and separation, his Father is away working to provide for him.

The Persona(Father) is Busy man, this establishes an early impression of the Persona that he is very hard-working. "planes to catch" implies that his job requires him to be away from his family(Child). Bringing about the theme of separation between the Father and Son with the effect on their relationship.

The use of symbolism here "silver spoon" is a reference to wealth and privilege. Used to show how the Father provides for his family and by his work he can afford to give wealth and privilege to his child, granting him life opportunities.

Even with his dad being away and the disappointment he must feel. Through the repetition of "I'm gonna be like you". He displays an admiration for him, he sees a role-model in him. Worrying me if the Son would really want to follow in his fathers footsteps. Whether or not his faith in him is fictitious, is left for the listener to justify and is left with the thought that he truly wished to grow up to be like his father.

The use of "the other day" each time throughout the song marks each significant stage between the Father-Son relationship, as used here to mark the birth of the Father's Child.

Again marking another stage of their relationship.