Just Like You
Roxy Music Lyrics
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And most anything
They wither and fade
After blossom in Spring
Time conquers innocence
Pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
That's all
Everything changes
Weather blows hot or cold
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby
So hard to pin down
Oh when are you coming around?
Hopelessly grounded
I walk through the streets
Remembering how we spent time
Hopefully yearning that someday we'll meet
But when will we, how could we, why? Oh my!
Fashion houses ladies
Need plenty loose change
When the latest creation
Is last year's fab-rave
Thought patterns hazy
This auto-style age
Will lady luck smile old and sage?
She knows that,
Never again, no, will I give up my heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
Nevertheless love, it's all here in my book
I'd write it but don't have much time
You see, I know it sounds crazy
But what can I do?
I've fallen head over heels, over you
Chameleon color
All phases of moon
The shifting of planets
And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it
So seasons will change
Just like you
The song "Just Like You" by Roxy Music is a contemplative piece that describes the transience and unpredictability of life as well as the fickle nature of love. Bryan Ferry, the lead vocalist, sings about the impermanence of things like nature itself; Buttercup daisies, which symbolize innocence and purity, wither and fade after blooming in springtime. Ferry emphasizes that time conquers innocence and pride takes a fall, but in knowledge lies wisdom. The song acknowledges the inevitability of change as well as the power of personal growth.
In the second half of the song, Ferry shifts his focus to love and the unpredictability of human relationships. He likens love to quicksilver, a mercurial element that is never static and impossible to pin down. He yearns for a lost love, hoping that someday he will reconnect with her. Ferry implores, “But when will we, how could we, why? Oh my!” Ferry also touches upon the transitory nature of fashion and how what is "in" today will be "out" tomorrow.
Lyrically, "Just Like You" is an introspective song that deals with universal themes of change, growth, and love. Musically, the song features a smooth, jazzy sound with saxophones and keyboards. Overall, “Just Like You” is a musically and lyrically complex piece that invites listeners to reflect on the impermanence of life and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Buttercup daisies
Beauty and charm found in nature embody youth and happiness
And most anything
Happiness can be found in anything
They wither and fade
Youth and beauty are fleeting, but memory persists
After blossom in Spring
Nature's cycle of rebirth symbolizing the passage of time
Time conquers innocence
Innocence fades with the passage of time
Pride takes a fall
Arrogance and overconfidence lead to failure
In knowledge lies wisdom
Wisdom comes with experience and understanding
That's all
Life is fleeting and change is inevitable
Everything changes
Change is a constant in life
Weather blows hot or cold
Nature's unpredictability symbolizing life's uncertainties
Through alchemy iron turns gold
The transformative power of change and perseverance
Quicksilver baby
Elusiveness and unpredictability of love and relationships
So hard to pin down
The difficulty of capturing and maintaining love and passion
Oh when are you coming around?
The longing and anticipation for love and companionship
Hopelessly grounded
Feeling stuck and trapped in one's circumstances
I walk through the streets
Reflecting on past memories and experiences
Remembering how we spent time
Revisiting past experiences and emotions
Hopefully yearning that someday we'll meet
The desire and hope for love and companionship in the future
But when will we, how could we, why? Oh my!
The uncertainty and confusion of love and relationships
Fashion houses ladies
The fickleness and transience of fashion and trends
Need plenty loose change
The financial cost of keeping up with fashion and trends
When the latest creation
The constant creation and consumption of new fashion and trends
Is last year's fab-rave
The fleeting nature of fashion and trends
Thought patterns hazy
Uncertainty and confusion in the face of change
This auto-style age
The influence of technology on fashion and society
Will lady luck smile old and sage?
The unpredictable nature of fate and chance
She knows that,
Acknowledging the power of fate and chance
Never again, no, will I give up my heart
The fear and reluctance to risk one's heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
The risk and uncertainty of love and relationships
Nevertheless love, it's all here in my book
Love and emotions are deeply ingrained and documented within oneself
I'd write it but don't have much time
The urgency and brevity of life and love
You see, I know it sounds crazy
The irrationality and unpredictability of love and emotions
But what can I do?
Helplessness and vulnerability in the face of love and emotions
I've fallen head over heels, over you
The overwhelming and all-consuming nature of love
Chameleon color
The changing and adaptive nature of life and relationships
All phases of moon
The cyclical and ever-changing nature of time
The shifting of planets
The influence of larger forces outside of oneself
And leopard spots too
The unique and varying qualities of individuals and relationships
As destiny wills it
The acceptance and surrender to the will of fate and destiny
So seasons will change
The inevitability and cyclical nature of change
Just like you
The recognition that everything and everyone is subject to change
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRYAN FERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SurfboardRecords
Buttercup daisies
And most anything
They wither and fade
After blossom in spring
Time conquers innocence
Pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
Thatґs all
Everything changes
Weather blows hot or cold
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby
So hard to pin down
Oh when are you coming around?
Hopelessly grounded
I walk through the streets
Remembering how we spent time
Hopefully yearning that someday weґll meet
But when will we, how could we - why? oh my!
Fashion houses ladies
Need plenty loose change
When the latest creation
Is last yearґs fab-rave
Thought patterns hazy
This auto-style age
Will lady luck smile old and sage?
She knows that ......
Never again, no, will I give up my heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
Nevertheless love, itґs all here in my book
Iґd write it but donґt have much time
You see, I know it sounds crazy
But what can I do?
Iґve fallen head over heels, over you
Chameleon colour
All phases of moon
The shifting of planets
And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it
So seasons will change
Just like you
TV EYE
Buttercups, daisies
And most anything
They wither and fade
After blossom in Spring
Time conquers innocence
Pride takes a fall
In knowledge lies wisdom
That's all
Everything changes
Weather blows hot or cold
Through alchemy iron turns gold
Quicksilver baby
So hard to pin down
Oh when are you coming around?
Hopelessly grounded
I walk through the streets
Remembering how we spent time
Hopefully yearning that someday we'll meet
But when will we, how could we - why? Oh my!
Fashion houses ladies
Need plenty loose change
When the latest creation
Is last year's fab-rave
Thought patterns hazy
This auto-style age
Will lady luck smile old and sage?
She knows that never again, no
Will I give up my heart
To gamble with fate is my crime
Nevertheless love, it's all here in my book
I'd write it but don't have much time
You see, I know it sounds crazy
But what can I do?
I've fallen head over heels, over you
Chameleon colour
All phases of moon
The shifting of planets
And leopard spots too
As destiny wills it so
Seasons will change
Just like you
Rob Jones
The most elegant Roxy track ever to be recorded. Bryan was at the height
of his songwriting powers and it is so incredibly beautiful, it beggars belief nobody
else has covered it. Forty five years have passed since it was first issued and very
few lyricists have matched it, even in 2017.
tiefhals
Well said, but it's worth listening to John Taylor (the DD bassist) version of Just Another High and Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde) version of Mother of Pearl. Also look on YT for Billy Corgan guesting on a live performance of Out of the Blue. If nothing else it shows good taste on their parts.
Biriyani Ferrari
Not many people cover Roxy cover songs because they can't be improved
Mark Roberts
Could not have said it better myself, if you know this band,they have masterpiece tracks all throughout their repetoire.
buschnic61
Incredible guitar solo..and simply one of greatest songs by anyone ever.
Kari Solberg
This song is exquisite and beautiful, just like You, Bryan. Both the lyrics and the music are one of my most loved Ferry/Roxy works. Lecidude! Thank you so much for this tasteful video, it is really very good.
Anthony Scully
an under rated roxy song.
Psilocypher Music
I used to shoot heroin to this song. And oxy pills, which, ironically, were called roxies. I thought it was one of their most beautiful songs. Still do.. it’s just a bit more difficult to listen to now.
Biriyani Ferrari
Just unknown really - like most of Roxy's best songs - to those who were not around in Roxy's halycon days
Mark Roberts
CLASSIC ROXY MUSIC, LOVE THIS BAND.