This song was written on January 12th, 2009, and according to Alex's online diary was inspired by the style of Julia Nunes. It was the result of a self-enforced challenge to write a slow song on ukulele, since it's such a "peppy" instrument.
The lyrics were inspired by a night spent "walking at night in the cold with the full moon above us" with Lex Croucher and Charlie McDonnell in Charlie's home town of Bath. Alex says it is his most honest song, because it is about himself (unlike his other songs, which are about girls). He has also described it as a "warning to any potential girlfriends".
A ukulele-only acoustic demo of the song was released on the DFTBA Records, Volume One compilation album on June 1, 2009.
Don't look back
Alex Day Lyrics
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I promise I don't mean for everything to turn out wrong
I'm not a complex person, wind me up and watch me go
You'll always be second to my love for the unknown
It's late and your nose is turning red from the cold
Our feet are walking rhythmically and crumpling the snow
And I have got myself a question that I would like to ask
And it's too late for me, but you can still be free if you leave now
And don't look back, my love
I'm a sucker for stability, which might come as a surprise
But I can't help but love the way you smile to one side
We don't need the music to remind us what we've lost
I can barely move my fingers and I'm slipping on the frost
Now the dark is all around us but for the full moon in the sky
The world is silent to me, we're the only ones alive
And I can see my breath in front of me, dancing in the air with yours
We both know what we want, but we can't 'cause we're so unsure
And it's too late for me, but you can still be free if you leave now
And don't look back, my love
The lyrics of Alex Day's song "Don't Look Back" talk about a complex relationship between two individuals, where the singer seems to be in love with the unknown rather than the person they are walking with. He describes himself as wind-up and easy to go, while his partner is portrayed as a stable person who smiles on one side. The singer also reveals his fear of losing the unknown, despite knowing that his partner is the right choice. The chorus urges his partner to leave him and be free, while he continues on his path of uncertainty.
The first two lines of the song reflect the singer's pattern of behavior, in which he gives his all but always ends up ruining things. He seems to acknowledge that he is not a complex person, and his love for the unknown hinders any prospect of a stable relationship. The line "You'll always be second to my love for the unknown" reveals his fear of giving up his love for the unknown, despite the fact that he is with someone he loves.
In the second verse, the singer continues to describe the scene and the emotions between the two characters. He talks about the silence and the moon, creating a romantic environment; however, the fear of uncertainty overshadows everything. The singer accepts that it is too late for him but urges his partner to leave and pursue her dreams. The line "And don't look back, my love" is not an act of selfishness but rather of selflessness, as he knows deep down that he is not the right choice for his partner.
Overall, the song reflects the struggle of staying in a relationship that has uncertainties and insecurities. The singer portrays himself as a person who loves instability but also acknowledges the importance of stability. The emotions in the song are genuine and relatable as many people have gone through similar struggles in their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
This won't be the first time that I'll give it all I've got
I've tried hard before and failed, but I'm not gonna stop trying
I promise I don't mean for everything to turn out wrong
I don't intend to mess things up on purpose
I'm not a complex person, wind me up and watch me go
I'm a simple person who is easily motivated and energized
You'll always be second to my love for the unknown
My curiosity and desire for the unknown will always come first before my love for you
And it's too late for me, but you can still be free if you leave now
I'm already trapped and there's no turning back for me, but you can still escape and be free if you leave
And don't look back, my love
Don't hesitate or look back once you've decided to leave
I'm a sucker for stability, which might come as a surprise
Even though I seem unpredictable, I actually crave stability and security
But I can't help but love the way you smile to one side
I find your quirky smile endearing and attractive
We don't need the music to remind us what we've lost
We already know what we've lost and we don't need any reminders
I can barely move my fingers and I'm slipping on the frost
It's cold and I'm struggling to keep my balance
Now the dark is all around us but for the full moon in the sky
It's dark outside except for the moon, which is illuminating everything
The world is silent to me, we're the only ones alive
It feels like we're the only ones in the world and everything else is quiet
And I can see my breath in front of me, dancing in the air with yours
Our breaths are visible and mixing together in the cold
We both know what we want, but we can't 'cause we're so unsure
We both want something but we're not sure how to make it happen or if it's even worth it
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.