Emi and Ryuji divorced in February 2007.
Desperado
藤田恵美 Lyrics
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Why don't you come to your senses
You been out ridin' fences
For so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
But I know that you've got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
She'll beat you
If she's able
The queen of hearts
Is always your best bet
Now it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones
That you can't get
Desperado
Oh you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger
They're drivin' you home
Freedom, Ah freedom
That's just some people talkin'
You're prisoners walkin'
Through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the wintertime
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time
From the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feelin' goes away...
Desperado
Why don't you come to your senses
Come down from your fences
Open the gate
It may be rainin'
But there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you (let somebody love you)
You better let somebody love you
Before it's too late...
The first verse of this song by 藤田恵美 is essentially a plea to someone who has been living their life in a way that appears to be self-destructive. The persona is calling out to the "desperado" and urging him to come back to reality and abandon this lifestyle of riding fences. They acknowledge that the desperado is a complex character, and that there are perhaps reasons behind their actions, but they warn the character that there are things that may feel good, but can ultimately lead to harm (such as drawing the queen of diamonds).
The second verse then speaks to the realities of the desperado's life. While they may feel a sense of freedom and independence, the persona points out that they are actually living as prisoners, alone in the world without anyone to rely on. The persona urges the desperado to open themselves up to love, to let someone in before it's too late. The song ends on a hopeful note, urging the desperado to come down from their fences and open the gate because while it might be raining now, there is a rainbow above and someone who wants to love them.
Overall, the song's message is one of hope and optimism, acknowledging the difficulties of life but urging the listener to come back to reality, abandon harmful behaviors and find fulfillment in meaningful relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Desperado
Addressing the subject of the song, who is a persona struggling with personal turmoil
Why don't you come to your senses
Asking the subject to snap out of their self-destructive behavior
You been out ridin' fences
The subject has been avoiding dealing with their problems, instead looking for distractions
For so long now
This has been a prolonged pattern of behavior
Oh, you're a hard one
The subject has a tough exterior
But I know that you've got your reasons
Acknowledging that the subject's actions are not without justification, but still need to be addressed
These things that are pleasin' you
The distractions that the subject seeks
Can hurt you somehow
Despite offering temporary relief, these distractions are ultimately detrimental to the subject's well-being
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy
Warning the subject against taking big risks that could result in loss
She'll beat you
The consequences of such risks can be severe
If she's able
These risks are not always successful
The queen of hearts
Encouraging the subject to stick with safer choices
Is always your best bet
These choices are more reliable and less likely to result in negative consequences
Now it seems to me some fine things
Acknowledging that the subject has had some good opportunities in life
Have been laid upon your table
These opportunities have been presented to the subject
But you only want the ones
Despite these opportunities, the subject is still fixated on things they cannot have
That you can't get
These desires are unrealistic and unattainable
Desperado
Repeating the song's title as a way to emphasize the subject's state of being
Oh you ain't gettin' no younger
Reminding the subject that time is running out to change their ways
Your pain and your hunger
The subject's feelings of distress and dissatisfaction with life
They're drivin' you home
These feelings are leading the subject towards further isolation and unhappiness
Freedom, Ah freedom
Calling out the subject's desire for freedom as an illusion
That's just some people talkin'
Freedom is a concept that is more talked about than actually realized by most people
You're prisoners walkin'
Despite thinking they are free, the subject is actually trapped in their own destructive cycle
Through this world all alone
This state of being has left the subject feeling lonely and disconnected from others
Don't your feet get cold in the wintertime
Highlighting the emotional toll of the subject's isolation and unhappiness
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
The world feels dark and cold to the subject
It's hard to tell the night time
Without hope or happiness, everything feels the same
From the day
There is no distinction between good times and bad times
You're losin' all your highs and lows
The subject's emotional fluctuations are leveling out and becoming insignificant
Ain't it funny how the feelin' goes away...
The subject's lack of feeling is ironic given how they once fixated so much on their desires and feelings
Desperado
Repeating the song's title as a way to continue emphasizing the subject's state of being
Why don't you come to your senses
Reiterating the need for the subject to address their behavior
Come down from your fences
Encouraging the subject to let down their guard and face their issues
Open the gate
The subject needs to allow others to help them and to seek help themselves
It may be rainin'
Acknowledging that addressing one's problems may be difficult and uncomfortable
But there's a rainbow above you
Despite the rain, there is hope for the subject and a brighter future
You better let somebody love you (let somebody love you)
Suggesting that the subject's path towards healing and happiness starts with letting others care for them
You better let somebody love you
Repeating the message, underscoring the importance of the command
Before it's too late...
There is a sense of urgency in this advice, as the subject needs to act before it is too late
Writer(s): Don Henley
Contributed by Bella R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.