I got loaded last night on a bottle of gin
And I had a fight with my best girlfriend
When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
I know the same thing has happened before
And each time it happens, I hate it more & more
When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
I spent a whole lotta time sittin' and thinkin'
Sittin' and just thinkin' 'bout you
If I didn't spend so much time sittin' and drinkin'
We'd still have the love I thought we knew
I won't promise the same thing won't happen again
But I can promise, it'll be a long, long time till then
'Cause when I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
So please baby wait for me until they let me out again

Overall Meaning

Elvis Costello's song "Sittin' and Thinkin'" is a remorseful and melancholy ballad about the hazards of drinking and the lapse of love. The song begins with the admission that the singer had gotten drunk on gin and had an argument with his girlfriend, professing that alcohol consumption makes him a terrible friend. He pleads with her not to give up on him, knowing that this has happened before and acknowledging that his drinking puts a damper on their love. The musician then proceeds to express his regret and sadness caused by his actions, spending a lot of time sitting and thinking about his wrongdoing and which he vows to work on. However, he is incapable of ensuring that future lapses would not arise.

The track is characterized by its solitary guitar, delicate rhythmic back-up, evocative lyrics, and Elvis Costello's signature honed singing style. The song's instrumental arrangement is stripped-down, with a sparsely plucked guitar and light percussive sounds, which elegantly matches the song's serious tone. Although framed as a standard barroom ballad, Costello's tempestuous vocal adds a cathartic intensity to the song.

Line by Line Meaning

I got loaded last night on a bottle of gin
Last night, I consumed a lot of gin and got drunk

And I had a fight with my best girlfriend
During my intoxicated state, I had an argument with my romantic partner

When I'm drinkin' I am nobody's friend
I become unpleasant and unfriendly when I'm under the influence of alcohol

So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
I'm asking for forgiveness and patience until I sober up and can make things right again

I know the same thing has happened before
This situation has occurred previously

And each time it happens, I hate it more & more
The repetition of this negative behavior has caused me to dislike it increasingly with each instance

I spent a whole lotta time sittin' and thinkin'
I've had a significant amount of time to contemplate and reflect on my actions

Sittin' and just thinkin' 'bout you
During my reflection, my thoughts have primarily been focused on you

If I didn't spend so much time sittin' and drinkin'
Had I not consumed so much alcohol and spent less time drinking, our relationship may have persisted

We'd still have the love I thought we knew
Our relationship could have continued and maintained the strong feelings I once had for you

I won't promise the same thing won't happen again
I cannot commit to preventing a similar occurrence in the future

But I can promise, it'll be a long, long time till then
It will be a significant amount of time before this behavior repeats itself, if it ever does

So please baby wait for me until they let me out again
Once again, I am asking for forgiveness and patience until I am sober and can make amends

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MUFF WINWOOD, PETER YORK, SPENCER DAVIS, STEVE WINWOOD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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