well baby
did our sky fall down
and no one wants no one wants no one wants
to rebuild it now
we once drew a crowd
with my evil eye
and your crazy mouth
let's get over each other
let's get over each other

well baby
did our time run out
and no one wants no one wants no one wants
to rebuild it now
i liked it best how
we took the whole world on
back to back
long knives drawn

let's get over each other
let's get over each other
so that we can fall in love again
so that we can fall in love again

won't you ho-ho-hold me
ho-ho-hold me
make believe that
you don't loathe me

am I mistaken
when I woke up this morning
without you there I'm shaken
to the very foundation

once there was something
and now there's just a piece of atmosphere

am I mistaken
when I woke up this morning
without you there
I'm shaken to the very foundation


Lyrics submitted by X405pastmidnight

Long Knives Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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Long Knives song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    possibly my all time fav rm song. why is no one commenting on it?!

    well, i love the vivid imagery and cutting honesty in this song: "well baby, did our sky fall down?/and no one wants,no one wants,/no one wants to rebuild it now/we once drew a crowd/with my evil eye and your crazy mouth.." or "well baby, did our sky fall down?/and no one wants, no one wants,/no one wants to rebuild it now/but I liked it best how/we took the whole world on, back to back/long knives drawn.."

    and the loss is just so honsest and cleverly worded: "am I mistaken/when I woke up this morning /without you there I'm shaken/to the very foundation/once there was something/and now there's just a piece of atmosphere..."

    lovemotionstoryon June 22, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    not my favourite, but its this song is sang so powerful and the lyrics are really strong it makes me feel like im going through the same thing.

    rocketqueenzon October 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I love the ENERGY in this tune--both the music and the message.

    To me, here's the message: sure, our relationship is messed up--hell, WE'RE messed up. But let's stay together and we'll take "the whole world on, back to back, long knives drawn" just like we used to.

    And it's especially cool hearing a woman singing on a track like this.

    drucifer23on March 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    let's get over each other let's get over each other so that we can fall in love again so that we can fall in love again won't you ho-ho-hold me ho-ho-hold me make believe that you don't loathe me

    i think i am living this.

    finiteon November 19, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    god, this song is ironic if you're me.

    AnacinCrosson December 04, 2008   Link

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