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Bad Penny
Rory Gallagher Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Well, like a bad penny you have turned up again,
You're in my sights, there's a mist on my lens.
I think you know how it was when I tripped and fell,
Well, you double-dealed me, baby and I broke like a shell.

Like a bad penny you've sure lost the glow
But I'm out of reach, your smile's sure gone cold.
Well, it can't ever be like it was then,
Well, don't you fool with me, baby,

Don't you mess with my plans.
Some stormy nights, your memory haunts me,
You won't go away.
Well, like a bad penny you have turned up in the change,

Try to fit into the picture, you can't get inside the frame.
I think you know I'm still sore, but I'm on the mend,
Times sure have changed, it won't happen again.
Well, like a bad penny spins around and around,

Well, you won't know what's gone wrong when it all falls down,
You got to learn from now on to stop playing games,
You ought to keep on moving, you got to spin on your way.
Some lonely nights, I hear you calling,

Won't you go away?
Well, like a bad penny you have turned up again,
You're in my sights, there's a mist on my lens.
I think you know how it was when I tripped and fell,

Well, you double-dealed me, baby, I cracked like a shell.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rory Gallagher's song "Bad Penny" tell the story of a person who keeps returning to the speaker's life despite their previous betrayal. The repeated motif of the "bad penny" serves as a metaphor for this person's unwelcome appearances in the speaker's life, which disturb their peace and bring up painful memories. The speaker describes how this person has lost their charm and the connection they once had is broken beyond repair. Despite this, the person continues to try and fit themselves into the speaker's life, causing them to assert their boundaries and warn them not to interfere with their plans.


The lyrics also express the speaker's struggle to move on from the past and the memories that continue to haunt them, making it difficult to let go of this person. However, as the song progresses, the speaker becomes more self-assured and warns this person to stop playing games and move on with their life. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and weariness as the speaker tries to distance themselves from this person once and for all.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, like a bad penny you have turned up again,
You keep showing up in my life, even though I don't want you around.


You're in my sights, there's a mist on my lens.
I can see you clearly, but my emotions are clouding my judgment.


I think you know how it was when I tripped and fell,
You are aware of how vulnerable I was when I let myself fall for you.


Well, you double-dealed me, baby and I broke like a shell.
You betrayed me and it shattered me emotionally.


Like a bad penny you've sure lost the glow
You don't have the attractiveness or charm that you once had.


But I'm out of reach, your smile's sure gone cold.
I am no longer interested in you, and you seem distant and uncaring.


Well, it can't ever be like it was then,
Our relationship will never be the same as it was before.


Well, don't you fool with me, baby,
Don't try to manipulate or deceive me again.


Don't you mess with my plans.
Don't interfere with my goals or aspirations.


Some stormy nights, your memory haunts me,
On some difficult nights, I can't help but think of you and our past.


You won't go away.
You are still present in my thoughts and emotions.


Well, like a bad penny you have turned up in the change,
You have unexpectedly appeared in my life once again.


Try to fit into the picture, you can't get inside the frame.
You are trying to be a part of my life again, but you don't belong there.


I think you know I'm still sore, but I'm on the mend,
You are aware that I still feel hurt, but I am slowly recovering.


Times sure have changed, it won't happen again.
Things are different now, and I won't make the same mistake again.


Well, like a bad penny spins around and around,
You keep coming back, even though I don't want you to.


Well, you won't know what's gone wrong when it all falls down,
You will be clueless when things fall apart because of your own actions.


You got to learn from now on to stop playing games,
You need to stop manipulating and deceiving people.


You ought to keep on moving, you got to spin on your way.
You should move forward and leave me alone.


Some lonely nights, I hear you calling,
On some nights when I'm alone, I remember you and our past.


Won't you go away?
Please leave me alone and stop bothering me.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RORY GALLAGHER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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