Ruby Dear
Talking Heads Lyrics
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And we won't let go
And where we stop
No one knows
Uh-huh uh-huh
Down and down
In a spin we turn
Looking like
We'll never learn
Uh-huh uh-huh
Think about
What ev'ryone is saying
Ruby dear
Oh don't you hear
Late at night
When the radio is playing
Ruby dear
So looky here
Oh this record's broken
It slips a beat
And all those watermelons
Have gone to seed
Nothing lives
In this dirty little river
No one here
Will shed a tear
It dried up
But it couldn't run forever
Ruby dear
That's what we hear
I still like the ocean
Down by the sea
They left that door wide open
It tempted me
Hounding me
From the bedroom to the kitchen
Ruby dear
I'm still right here
Now they threw
The fox amongst the chickens
It's too deep
I'll drown in my sleep!
Angels and prostitutes
They might look the same
And if to Hell we're going
I'll see you there
'Round and 'round
And we won't let go
And where we stop
No one knows
Uh-huh uh-huh
Down the street
Where the bonfires glow
Looking like
They lost control
Uh-huh uh-huh
Settle down
In that rocking chair
Breathing in
That rotten air
Uh-huh uh-huh
Johnny Jones
Fell fast asleep
Down a hole
Where the rocks are steep
Uh-huh uh-huh
The lyrics of "Ruby Dear" by Talking Heads are somewhat surreal and open to interpretation. The repeated mention of the titular Ruby, coupled with a sense of confusion and disorientation, evoke the feeling of being lost or trapped in some way. The opening lines emphasize the cyclical nature of things, with no clear path forward: "Round and round / And we won't let go / And where we stop / No one knows." This could represent a feeling of being stuck in a rut or unable to break out of a particular pattern or habit.
As the lyrics progress, there are references to a broken record skipping a beat, a river drying up, and "rotten air." All of these images suggest stagnation, decay, or a loss of vitality. Ruby herself seems unaware of these problems, or at least unwilling to acknowledge them: "Think about what everyone is saying / Ruby dear / Oh don't you hear." Meanwhile, the singer seems torn between a desire to escape ("I still like the ocean / Down by the sea") and a sense of fatalism ("If to Hell we're going / I'll see you there").
Overall, "Ruby Dear" creates a mood of unease and confusion, with emotional tension simmering right below the surface. The repetitive structure of the lyrics reinforces the sense of being trapped or stuck in a cycle that you can't break out of.
Line by Line Meaning
'Round and 'round
We keep going in circles, not making any progress.
And we won't let go
We are stuck in this cycle, unable to break free from it.
And where we stop
We have no idea where this is going to end.
No one knows
The outcome of our situation is uncertain and unpredictable.
Down and down
We are spiraling downwards, unable to stop our descent.
In a spin we turn
Our situation is disorientating and confusing.
Looking like
Our situation appears to be hopeless and without resolution.
We'll never learn
We keep repeating the same mistakes, without ever improving our situation.
Think about
We should consider and reflect on what others are saying.
What ev'ryone is saying
We should pay attention to the opinions and advice of others.
Ruby dear
Addressing someone named Ruby in a somewhat patronizing manner.
Oh don't you hear
Implying that the person being addressed is not listening or paying attention.
Late at night
During the night or in the darkness.
When the radio is playing
During a time of distraction or diversion.
So looky here
Listen up and pay attention to what's being said.
Oh this record's broken
Referring to something that is no longer working or has become ineffective.
It slips a beat
The machine is not keeping time or playing correctly.
And all those watermelons
Referring to something that has gone to waste or spoiled before it could be enjoyed.
Have gone to seed
The fruit has rotted and is no longer viable or useful.
Nothing lives
There is no life or vitality in this place.
In this dirty little river
Referring to a polluted environment or atmosphere.
No one here
No one is concerned or cares about this situation.
Will shed a tear
No one will show any emotion or concern over this matter.
It dried up
This place or situation is no longer viable or productive.
But it couldn't run forever
Even though the situation was good, it could not continue indefinitely.
That's what we hear
We have heard rumors or talk about this situation.
I still like the ocean
Referring to a place of calm and tranquility amidst chaos.
Down by the sea
A calming and peaceful place far from the noise and drama of everyday life.
They left that door wide open
An opportunity or option is available to us, waiting to be pursued.
It tempted me
I am being drawn towards this option or opportunity.
Hounding me
I am being persistently pursued or harassed by something.
From the bedroom to the kitchen
This is affecting all areas of my life.
Now they threw
Someone else has taken control and made a decision.
The fox amongst the chickens
A disruptive force has entered a previously peaceful situation.
It's too deep
The situation has become too complex or out of control to resolve easily.
I'll drown in my sleep!
I am overwhelmed and unable to cope with this situation.
Angels and prostitutes
A juxtaposition of good and evil or purity and corruption.
They might look the same
Something that appears to be one way might actually be something else entirely.
And if to Hell we're going
If we continue down this path, things will not end well.
I'll see you there
We will both face the consequences of our actions or decisions.
Down the street
Moving away from the original situation.
Where the bonfires glow
Amidst people celebrating or making merry.
Looking like
This situation appears chaotic and out of control.
They lost control
The situation has spiraled out of control and is beyond anyone's ability to manage or remedy it.
Settle down
To calm down and accept the situation as it is.
In that rocking chair
In a place of comfort or familiarity, perhaps resigned to the situation as it is.
Breathing in
Taking in the toxic and polluted air around us.
That rotten air
The environment is polluted and toxic.
Johnny Jones
Referring to someone who has made a mistake or misstep.
Fell fast asleep
Metaphorically, someone who is oblivious or unresponsive to the situation around them.
Down a hole
In a difficult or challenging situation with no clear way out.
Where the rocks are steep
A situation where the obstacles are numerous and difficult to traverse.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS FRANTZ, DAVID BYRNE, JERRY HARRISON, TINA WEYMOUTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind