Wide Eyed And Legless
Andy Fairweather Low Lyrics
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I seem to spend some of my time
Trying to turn the black night, blue
Well I'm tired of it all
It's the same thing every night
But the rhythm of the glass Is stronger than the rhythm of night Wide eyed and legless
I've gone and done it again
Wide eyed and legless
Shame, I can't get free from these chains
Oh, oh-oh (Instrumental) Wide eyed and legless
I've gone and done it again
Wide eyed and legless
This world is full of my shame
Shame, I can't get free from these chains
Oh, oh-oh I've been here before
But this time it feels like the end
I should've known better, I know
But my memory's no friend
Well, I've tried every thing
That I know will get rid of this fling
And I can't understand
Why I'm wide eyed and legless again Wide eyed and legless
I've gone and done it again
Wide eyed and legless
This world is full of my shame
Shame, I can't get free from these chains
Oh, oh-oh
The lyrics of Andy Fairweather Low's song Wide Eyed and Legless speak about someone who is caught in the cycle of repetitive behavior, perhaps that of drinking and trying to escape their problems. The singer seems to be tired of following the same pattern every night, yet finds it difficult to break free from the chains of addiction. The repetition of the phrase "wide eyed and legless" emphasizes the sense of exhaustion and shame that they feel.
The lyrics suggest a sense of regret and self-awareness, where the singer acknowledges that they have been in this situation before, but this time it feels like the end. They confess to having tried everything to get rid of this "fling" or addiction, yet they cannot understand why they are still wide-eyed and legless once again.
The instrumental after the line "shame, I can't get free from these chains" adds emphasis to the feelings of despair and hopelessness that the singer feels. The song seems to be a poignant lamentation about the grip of addiction on one's life and the struggles to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
Wherever I go and whatever I do
No matter the situation or circumstance I find myself in
I seem to spend some of my time
A significant portion of my time
Trying to turn the black night, blue
Struggling to find happiness or joy in difficult situations
Well I'm tired of it all
I am exhausted from this constant struggle
It's the same thing every night
The pattern is repetitive and unchanging
But the rhythm of the glass is stronger than the rhythm of night
The urge to drink is stronger than the desire to overcome the difficulties
Wide eyed and legless
Drunk and unable to move properly
I've gone and done it again
I have succumbed to my weakness and drank too much
This world is full of my shame
I am embarrassed and ashamed of my actions
Shame, I can't get free from these chains
The guilt and shame are trapping me and preventing me from moving forward
I've been here before
I have experienced this situation previously
But this time it feels like the end
This time the situation seems insurmountable
I should've known better, I know
I am aware that drinking to excess is detrimental
But my memory's no friend
Recalling past instances does not help me change my behavior
Well, I've tried every thing
Various remedies have been attempted
That I know will get rid of this fling
The actions taken are known to help stop drinking but have not succeeded this time around
And I can't understand
I am unable to comprehend why I keep repeating the same mistake
Why I'm wide eyed and legless again
I end up drunk without being able to understand why
This world is full of my shame
My weakness has led to mistakes and humiliation
Shame, I can't get free from these chains
I am lost in my own guilt and cannot escape
Oh, oh-oh
Sound effect, no meaning
Writer(s): Andy Fairweather-Low Copyright: Imagem Songs Ltd., Fair Music Ltd.
Contributed by Skyler W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@knockshinnoch1950
As a teenager in 76 when this was a hit I HATED it and the sound of his voice grated on me. FFW nearly 50 years and 60 yr old me came across the track on a compilation CD. I was about to skip the track but for some reason I decided to give it a listen and WOW I was blown away. First the musicianship and then the terrific vocal performance blew me away. The icing on the cake was just how superb it SOUNDED- The recording and mastering was amazing. I'm constantly amazed at discovering time and again how stupid I was when I was younger!
@philomenafanning4860
Kkukmmmjqm HV be which y
@lesleyscott3508
Me too. Met the man and he's absolutely lovely. :)
@macdodd
Loved Andy from the start as Amen Corner in the '60s
@stevieG.
I kinda liked it in a curious way as a 12year old , I didn't really understand what it was all about but now at 59 I absolutely love it. I saw Andy on stage playing with Roger Waters a few years ago, hes an absolute machine and kinda jokes around with Roger, something none of the floyd could ever dare !
@MrAdriancooke
At the time I too used to find AFL annoying but this music now has strong nostalgia value
@davidreid8075
Never seen anyone so relaxed when performing... lovely track..
@simonborisoff994
I am 75 years old I remember him working in the music shop in Cardiff spoke to him so many times the music industry recognised his outstanding talent
@gillwelch788
Beautiful Song a favourite of mine. Would love to be transported back to the 1970s.
Happiest time of my life.
@Tombro1856
Agree