Sure was a hell of a mistake I made
But I sure am glad that I made it
No way for a grown man to behave
More the act of a teen opportunist
I stand accused of losing my head

We sit so high on the city walls
Our tears wash clean the cobblestones
It's not so much that the thrill is gone
Just a cleaner, sweeter, brighter thrill has come along

I can sense trouble just around the bend
And it's all been my kind of making
I can't carry on with all this pretence
When it's clear that my love has been fading
I stand accused of the things I said

We sit so high on the city walls
Our tears wash clean the cobblestones
It's not so much that the thrill is gone
Just a cleaner, sweeter, brighter thrill has come along

Overall Meaning

The song "Thrill Is Gone" by Bernard Fanning is a contemplative ballad about the end of a romantic relationship. The lyrics speak of a mistake that the singer made, which caused the relationship to fall apart. Although he acknowledges the error of his ways, he is also grateful for the experience because it has taught him something about himself. He admits that his behavior was immature and impulsive, more like that of a teenager than a grown man.

The chorus speaks metaphorically of sitting high on city walls, crying and washing clean the cobblestones. This image represents the pain of the breakup, but also the possibility of a new beginning. The thrill of the relationship might be gone, but a new, cleaner, sweeter, and brighter thrill has taken its place. The singer recognizes that he can sense trouble ahead, but he accepts that the cause of this trouble is his own behavior, the consequences of his actions. He knows that he can't keep pretending that everything is okay when he knows that his love is fading away.

Overall, the song is about accepting the end of a relationship and the need to move on. The singer acknowledges his mistakes but also sees them as a learning experience. He is ready to let go of the past and embrace a new future.

Line by Line Meaning

Sure was a hell of a mistake I made
I made a big mistake and it definitely had consequences

But I sure am glad that I made it
Despite the negative outcome, I am happy that I experienced it because I learned from it

No way for a grown man to behave
What I did was immature and not appropriate for someone of my age

More the act of a teen opportunist
I acted impulsively and selfishly, like a teenager who takes advantage of the situation

I stand accused of losing my head
I admit to letting my emotions get the best of me and not thinking clearly

We sit so high on the city walls
We are in a privileged and powerful position

Our tears wash clean the cobblestones
Our emotions have an impact on the world around us

It's not so much that the thrill is gone
The exciting feeling is not completely gone, just changed

Just a cleaner, sweeter, brighter thrill has come along
A new, more positive experience has replaced the old one

I can sense trouble just around the bend
I have a feeling that something bad is about to happen

And it's all been my kind of making
I acknowledge that my own actions caused this situation

I can't carry on with all this pretence
I can't pretend like everything is okay anymore

When it's clear that my love has been fading
My feelings of love have been diminishing over time and it's become obvious

I stand accused of the things I said
I admit that my words have contributed to the current situation and I am responsible for them

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Paula Jane

I love this song ❤️🎸🎶

Gabrielle Westall

39w

20 years listening to this amazing artist

ApotheticallyAutistic

I love this song so much

Phil Pereira

This song deserves more recognition

t stew

10y↑4

He was great in Powderfinger(wish they were still together) and he is great as a solo artist.

Keel Dude

Jammed this song on acoustic down the coast at every nook and cranny from Innes National Park to Torquay in '17/'18. Beans and sardines dream team tour represent!