SMALL TALK
A Birthday Party Band Lyrics
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Everything is fine you work and have a nice new girlfriend her name is ann
At weekends you go party get drunk and dance all night you sleep where you fall
And virtually nothing has changed since we met last time five years ago
And me? i'm fine, i'm just fine, never been good at small talk, but i try
The weather's nice, and what else can i say,
Not to spoil your day?
I met you in the subway, we were going same way, what a coincidence
You said i didn't change a bit and i bit my tongue not to tell you you did
Time was going by so slowly, i was counting stops
You said you love traveling by subway cause you're everywhere on time
And me? i'm fine, i'm just fine, broke as always and days just pass me by
I fell in love, it felt like i fell down stairs
Blindfolded
Headfirst
The song "Small Talk" by A Birthday Party Band is a commentary on the notion of catching up with old friends and acquaintances, and the superficiality of small talk. The singer meets an old friend on the street, and is informed of his friend's unchanged life - he still parties, gets drunk, and dances till he drops, giving the impression that his life is stagnant. The singer, on the other hand, struggles with small talk, trying to find something pleasant to say that won't spoil his friend's day. In the second verse, the singer meets another old acquaintance on the subway, who comments on how the singer looks the same. The singer struggles not to comment on the obvious changes in his friend's life, whilst they travel together on the subway. The singer reveals that he is broke, and although he has fallen in love, it feels like he has fallen down a flight of stairs with a blindfold on.
The song offers a critique on the superficiality of small talk and our tendency to not speak honestly about our struggles and changes. It highlights the limitations of conversation with old friends, where there is often an expectation to present ourselves in the best possible light. The song encourages listeners to reflect on the nature of their relationships and the depth of conversations they have with their friends.
Line by Line Meaning
I met you on the street and asked you how things were going in your life
I saw you randomly on the street and inquired about how your life is treating you currently.
Everything is fine you work and have a nice new girlfriend her name is ann
You confirmed that work is keeping you busy and you have recently found a girlfriend named Ann who you like.
At weekends you go party get drunk and dance all night you sleep where you fall
On weekends, you party, drink, and dance until late at night, often sleeping wherever you end up falling asleep.
And virtually nothing has changed since we met last time five years ago
You revealed that your life is still pretty much the same as it was five years ago when we last met.
And me? i'm fine, i'm just fine, never been good at small talk, but i try
As for me, I'm doing alright. Engagement in small talk has always been a struggle for me, but I am trying my best.
The weather's nice, and what else can i say,
Not to spoil your day?
I commented on the pleasant weather and did not want to dwell on any negative topics that could ruin your day.
I met you in the subway, we were going same way, what a coincidence
It was a surprise meeting you while we both were headed in the same direction on the subway.
You said i didn't change a bit and i bit my tongue not to tell you you did
You remarked on how I looked the same as the last time you saw me but, at the same time, I refrained from mentioning that you have changed a bit since then.
Time was going by so slowly, i was counting stops
The subway ride felt very slow, and I found myself counting the stops along the way.
You said you love traveling by subway cause you're everywhere on time
You mentioned that you enjoy traveling by subway since it gets you to your destination on time.
And me? i'm fine, i'm just fine, broke as always and days just pass me by
As for me, I'm still doing pretty well. Though, I am still struggling with financial issues, and time seems to be passing quickly.
I fell in love, it felt like i fell down stairs
Blindfolded
Headfirst
I have recently fallen in love, and the experience has been overwhelming and a bit disorienting, like falling downstairs blindfolded and headfirst.
Contributed by Alex S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.