Rigby makes terrific, all-too-overlooked roots-pop records that nail the likes of class, men and "middlescence" with wit, grace and self-deprecating charm. At her quotidian best, though, she sings the song of herself, conveying the blues, as lived by urbanites and suburbanites, like a certified niece of Loretta Lynn.
Last Request
Amy Rigby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here's my last request
I hope you'll do your best
To honor my wishes
And I'm an also ran
Who'll soon be sleepin with the fishes
Be kind when you speak my name
I don't mind that you'll have to lie
Sometimes, if it's all the same to you
Could you please pretend
That you loved me until the end?
Bye bye baby, looks like this is it
I guess I've been a shit
I don't expect to be forgiven
If there's any feeling left inside your heart
Then let the healing start
And while you're at it a revision
Be kind when you speak my name
I don't mind that you'll have to lie
Sometimes, if it's all the same to you
Could you please pretend
That you loved me until the end?
Try to focus on the day that we first met
When you didn't even know me yet
Instr.
Could you please pretend
That you loved me until the end?
Listen up baby,
Here's my last request
Amy Rigby’s song “Last Request” is a heart-wrenching plea from someone who knows they are about to die. The opening lines are a direct appeal to the listener, the only person who ever cared about the singer in their life. The singer begs the listener to do their best to honor their last wishes after they die. The reality of their situation is clear as the singer refers to themselves as an “also-ran” who will soon be “sleepin with the fishes.”
As the song continues, the singer asks the listener to be kind when they speak their name after they are gone. There is a resigned acceptance that the listener will have to lie about their feelings for the singer. The next line, “sometimes, if it’s all the same to you” suggests that the singer is aware of the burden they are placing on the listener to pretend they loved them until the end. The singer then acknowledges that they have been a bad partner and they don’t expect to be forgiven, but they ask for healing in the listener's heart.
The final lines of the song are a reminder of how the singer and listener first met. They ask the listener to remember that first day, to focus on it, to hold it dear. The song is a journey of a dying person coming to terms with their inevitable end and making one last plea to the person who has been there for them throughout their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen up baby,
Pay attention to what I have to say, my love
Here's my last request
This is my final plea or demand
I hope you'll do your best
I trust that you'll give your all
To honor my wishes
To respect and fulfill my desires
You're the only one who ever gave a damn
You're the only person who cared about me or loved me
And I'm an also ran
I'm a loser, failure, or second-rate
Who'll soon be sleepin with the fishes
Who'll soon be dead or killed
Be kind when you speak my name
Be gentle, respectful, or truthful when you mention me to others
I don't mind that you'll have to lie
I'm okay with you telling white lies or hiding the truth about me
Sometimes, if it's all the same to you
Sometimes, if it's not a big deal or inconvenience to you
Could you please pretend
Could you please act or behave like
That you loved me until the end?
That you cherished, admired, or adored me until my death
Bye bye baby, looks like this is it
Goodbye, beloved, it appears to be the end of our time together
I guess I've been a shit
I suppose I've been a terrible or unpleasant person to be around
I don't expect to be forgiven
I don't anticipate or deserve your mercy, pardon, or absolution
If there's any feeling left inside your heart
If there's still any emotion or sentiment remaining in your heart
Then let the healing start
Then allow the recovery, restoration, or resolution to begin
And while you're at it a revision
And while you're doing that, also modify or correct some mistakes or errors
Try to focus on the day that we first met
Attempt to concentrate on the moment we initially encountered or encountered each other
When you didn't even know me yet
When you weren't aware of my existence, personality, or character
Instr.
Instrumental part of the song
Could you please pretend
Could you please act or behave like
That you loved me until the end?
That you cherished, admired, or adored me until my death
Listen up baby,
Pay attention to what I have to say, my love
Here's my last request
This is my final plea or demand
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: AMY RIGBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind