Never Never
Babyshambles/Peter Doherty Lyrics

The lyrics of "Never Never" by Babyshambles/Peter Doherty convey a sense of disillusionment and frustration with life, as well as a longing for something better. The opening line, "I was sucking on a cigarette," suggests a metaphor for seeking comfort or escape from reality. The mention of a crowd suddenly appearing and being the pennies for slot machines could be a metaphor for society's distractions and false promises, selling back dreams that never truly become realized. The singer seems to accept this harsh reality, expressing that it's "fine in hell" as long as it is fine with them.

The repeated line "Why don't we try it again now, but my heart won't sing until that story's all been told" suggests a yearning to start over, to find a new beginning, but an acknowledgement that the heart can't truly feel fulfilled until it has experienced and learned from the past. The mention of someone else buckling their spine and tattering their soul adds a sense of pain or damage caused by another person, possibly a lover. The phrase "ain't that a wonder" can be interpreted as a sarcastic remark, highlighting the irony of finding wonder in such painful experiences.

The following verse introduces the idea of a girl who represents a ray of hope or an escape from their current circumstances. The singer wonders if they can stay with this girl forever, expressing a desire for lasting happiness and refuge. However, there is also a sense of uncertainty reflected in the repetition of the word "never," suggesting a fear that this better life may be unattainable or temporary. The mention of finding it "somewhere over the railings" implies that this happiness may be just out of reach or beyond their current grasp.

The final verse echoes the recurring theme of hope for a better way, but also acknowledges the continued struggle and feeling of being stuck in the muck of life. The use of the word "muck" suggests a sense of filth or degradation, emphasizing the difficult and messy nature of their existence. Despite the desire for a change, the singer still finds themselves lying in the muck, signaling the ongoing struggle and inability to break free from their circumstances. The repetition of "mucking down with you" at the end reinforces the idea that the singer is accepting and resigned to their shared reality with another person, possibly finding solace in their companionship, even if it may not lead to a better life.