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My Foolish Friend
Talk Talk Lyrics


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Lay your hands into my hand
I've been rude
I don't care what you do
Some recall is not enough
I've seen a few
Creeping like you do

My foolish friend
Don't try to live my life
Upon this weary line
My foolish friend
Don't tell me if I'm right

Teenage tears the saving grace
Of this fool
But no one's watching you
Save this mirror for your face
There are two
No matter what you choose

My foolish friend
Don't try to live my life
Upon this weary line
My foolish friend
Don't tell me if I'm right

When I can really rebel
Yes I'm really saddened

My foolish friend
Don't try to live my life
Upon this weary line
My foolish friend
Don't try to live my life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song My Foolish Friend by Talk Talk speak of a relationship that has been strained due to the actions of one party. The singer has been rude to their friend and doesn't seem to care about their actions. The friend has tried to offer some kind of recall, but the singer doesn't think it's enough. The singer has seen some actions from their friend that they disapprove of and describes it as "creeping like you do."


The chorus of the song addresses the foolishness of the friend who is trying to live the singer's life on a weary line. The singer advises their friend not to tell them if they are right or wrong. The saving grace of the foolish friend is their teenage tears, but no one is watching them.


In the last verse, the singer seems to be reflecting on their own behavior and admits to feeling saddened. They advise their friend not to try to live their life, perhaps suggesting that both parties need to take responsibility for their own path.


Overall, the song seems to speak of a friendship that has been tested by one person's poor behavior and the other's attempt to live up to their expectations. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the message could be seen as a call to take responsibility for one's actions and to allow others to do the same.


Line by Line Meaning

Lay your hands into my hand
Let me guide and support you.


I've been rude
I haven't been considerate of your feelings.


I don't care what you do
I'm not going to judge or control you.


Some recall is not enough
Memories alone aren't sufficient.


I've seen a few
I've experienced some things.


Creeping like you do
Acting in a sneaky or suspicious manner.


My foolish friend
A term of endearment, but also a warning against making unwise decisions.


Don't try to live my life
Don't try to follow in my footsteps or imitate me.


Upon this weary line
On this difficult and challenging path.


Don't tell me if I'm right
Don't validate or undermine my choices.


Teenage tears the saving grace
Crying as a way of coping with the challenges of adolescence.


Of this fool
Of someone who lacks wisdom or guidance.


But no one's watching you
You're alone and must rely on yourself.


Save this mirror for your face
Focus on your own reflection and self-improvement.


There are two
There are always different options or paths to choose from.


No matter what you choose
Your decisions have consequences, so choose wisely.


When I can really rebel
When I can truly challenge authority and make my own choices.


Yes I'm really saddened
But I'm also emotional and conflicted about it.


Don't try to live my life
Don't try to be like me or follow my path blindly.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARK DAVID HOLLIS, SIMON GABRIEL BRENNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@joevokey1340

It's really quite simple: the deeper I dig into Talk Talk's archives, the more I'm blown away by their musical genius. Lucky me

@lara_berg

I will never never forget you, RIP Mark. 😢😢❤️❤️❤️

@giannrossi8193

Me too. Great band. "It's my life" is only a little introduction.

@juanperezmachado4661

10 years listen to Hollis and I just see this clip...thanks YouTube!

@paulcrook792

So True, same here ❤️

@kjzimmy

Totally agree. Not sure why I didn't appreciate their genius back in the day

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@1214jet

RIP Mark Hollis. This song is hauntingly beautiful. You will be missed. 🌹

@tonguepetals

That voice and that face. God, Mark was adorable and what a voice... God speed, Mark. Thank you for keeping a suicidal kid from killing herself. You’re still keeping me alive thirty years later.

@vadimlarkov9418

Such a powerful words...rest in peace dear artist 😔😔😔

@julios-ia4511

without words, at the age of 45 I met this wonderful band! I was a rocker for 13 years and always saw this band in the record store, but had never paraded to listen to the band. I just met this pearl of sound!!! has helped me a lot against depression. grateful talk talk!!

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