This song refers to a relationship with a prostitute. The lyricist faces criticism from his social circle but ultimately has his own fears and insecurities about the relationship.
"Our love is like water" - this is a standalone verse and does not connect to the next one. It sets the scene and his own emotions about the relationship, namely that it is fluid and elusive.
"Pinned down and abused for being strange" - pinned down is an ironic contrast to the previous verse. Although the relationship itself is like water, which cannot be pinned down, society does exactly that by clasifying it, describing it and condemning it.
"Our love is no other than me alone for me all day" - This describes his own doubts and fears for the signicance of the emotions of both sides. This verse can be interpreted as him doubting the female's feelings for him. Another possibility is that he is recognising that the love that he feels effectively stems from hedonism. He may have strong feelings but their origin makes his involvement effectively a selfish affair.
The references to nature in the last verse are another reference to the hedonistic nature of the relationship.
"I've often tried to hold the sea, the sun, the fields, the tide" - Here he refers to the fact that he's tried to "hold" these feelings and translate them to something else. Of course he cannot as he cannot hold the sea or the tide - again a reference to the elusive nature of the love that he feels.
"Pay me now, lay me down" - First pay, then lay me down. The order signifies the reality of the relationship.
Except for the prostitute and hedonism parts, I was thinking all these same things. I think your comments are spot on.
Except for the prostitute and hedonism parts, I was thinking all these same things. I think your comments are spot on.
I think that it's not a prostitute but it's not a normal or conventional relationship either and it doesn't matter what it is, it's just different. That's all we need to know.
I think that it's not a prostitute but it's not a normal or conventional relationship either and it doesn't matter what it is, it's just different. That's all we need to know.
Along with this, he is alone in the relationship and lonely and is the only one giving to keep the relationship going. His partner is more aloof about it or happy the way it is; but he's not. He wants more out of it and the "Pay" line is a question even though it's not phrased that way. It's asking "When is the payoff?" "When do I get mine?" Likely meaning love. Lay me down is not sexual either, it more of a "Let's put this relationship to rest by committing to it" or "Let's put it to rest by ending it."
This song refers to a relationship with a prostitute. The lyricist faces criticism from his social circle but ultimately has his own fears and insecurities about the relationship.
"Our love is like water" - this is a standalone verse and does not connect to the next one. It sets the scene and his own emotions about the relationship, namely that it is fluid and elusive. "Pinned down and abused for being strange" - pinned down is an ironic contrast to the previous verse. Although the relationship itself is like water, which cannot be pinned down, society does exactly that by clasifying it, describing it and condemning it.
"Our love is no other than me alone for me all day" - This describes his own doubts and fears for the signicance of the emotions of both sides. This verse can be interpreted as him doubting the female's feelings for him. Another possibility is that he is recognising that the love that he feels effectively stems from hedonism. He may have strong feelings but their origin makes his involvement effectively a selfish affair.
The references to nature in the last verse are another reference to the hedonistic nature of the relationship. "I've often tried to hold the sea, the sun, the fields, the tide" - Here he refers to the fact that he's tried to "hold" these feelings and translate them to something else. Of course he cannot as he cannot hold the sea or the tide - again a reference to the elusive nature of the love that he feels.
"Pay me now, lay me down" - First pay, then lay me down. The order signifies the reality of the relationship.
@songdreamer
@songdreamer
I know I'm 12 years late with this reply but...
I know I'm 12 years late with this reply but...
Except for the prostitute and hedonism parts, I was thinking all these same things. I think your comments are spot on.
Except for the prostitute and hedonism parts, I was thinking all these same things. I think your comments are spot on.
I think that it's not a prostitute but it's not a normal or conventional relationship either and it doesn't matter what it is, it's just different. That's all we need to know.
I think that it's not a prostitute but it's not a normal or conventional relationship either and it doesn't matter what it is, it's just different. That's all we need to know.
Along with this, he is alone in the relationship and lonely and is the only one giving to keep the relationship going. His partner is more aloof about it or happy the way it is; but he's not. He wants more out of it and the "Pay" line is a question even though it's not phrased that way. It's asking "When is the payoff?" "When do I get mine?" Likely meaning love. Lay me down is not sexual either, it more of a "Let's put this relationship to rest by committing to it" or "Let's put it to rest by ending it."