The band's first, self-titled album was released in 1988, and it met with a great fan response as well as gave the band two hit singles in the United States: "When I See You Smile" and "Price of Love". Positive reviews followed by massive tours built up immense expectations about the songwriting talent of the band in their future endeavors. However, on their second album, entitled 'Backlash', the one and only single failed to enter the U.S. Top 40, peaking instead at only number 42. Critical views were also mixed on the release.
Soon after the band recorded their second album 'Backlash', in 1991, the group disbanded. Members went their separate ways even before the album could be mixed. In a later interview, frontman John Waite said that, while he enjoyed playing to stadium-sized audiences again, he wasn't happy with the somewhat 'corporate rock' image that the Bad English had been tagged as having. He has since had a solo career focused more on mellower singer-songwriter music.
Don't Walk Away
Bad English Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thinking of numbers
Shaken not stirred
But I hang
Hang on your every word
These days
I roll with the punches
Always your clown
We used to paint this town
Red gold green and blue
If you still believe in me
And you
Don't walk away
I know I'll find an answer
If you stay
Don't walk away
There's nothing in tomorrow
That wasn't there in yesterday
Oh no no no no no
All the heartache
Too many nights
In the heartbreak hotel
Don't you give up
Love is a carousel
Put on your dancing shoes
And we can paint this town
Red gold green and blue
If you still believe in me
And you
Don't walk away
I know I'll find an answer
If you stay
Don't walk away
There's nothing in tomorrow
That wasn't there in yesterday
I'm sad that's all
This can't be the end
It's not my fault
The rain on the roof
Reach out
Reach out
I'm drownin' not waving
Reach out
Reach out
Before it's too late
To save our love
Baby don't you walk away
Oh no
Don't walk away
I know I'll find an answer
If you stay
Don't walk away
There's nothing in tomorrow
That wasn't there in yesterday
Don't walk away
Don't walk away
No just stay
Baby don't walk away
(Every cloud has got a silver lining)
Don't walk away
Baby don't walk away
(If you look hard enough you'll find love shining)
Don't walk away
(Every cloud has got a silver lining)
No no no no no no
The lyrics to Bad English's "Don't Walk Away" seem to be about a broken relationship in which one person is trying to convince the other not to give up on love. The opening lines suggest that the singer sees himself as a wise man, but is still unable to solve the problem of their relationship. The use of the phrase "shaken, not stirred" echoes James Bond's famous martini order, implying a sense of coolness and control even in difficult situations. However, the singer also admits to being entirely reliant on the other person's words, hanging on their every word. The next lines suggest that time has passed and much has changed: the singer is now someone who rolls with the punches and is always the clown. But he still remembers the good times, when they "used to paint this town red gold green and blue."
The chorus is a desperate plea to the other person not to walk away. The singer admits that he is "drowning, not waving," but still believes that love is worth fighting for. He tells the other person there's "nothing in tomorrow that wasn't there in yesterday," suggesting that their problems aren't insurmountable and that they can work things out if they just stick together. The final lines repeat the plea not to walk away and juxtapose images of clouds and love, suggesting that there is always a silver lining if they just look hard enough.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of desperation and urgency, as if the singer is teetering on the edge of losing everything. At the same time, there is a sense of hopefulness, a belief that if they can just hold on and persevere, things will work out in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Wise men
Experienced and knowledgeable people
Thinking of numbers
Analyzing and strategizing carefully
Shaken not stirred
Maintaining composure and control
But I hang
However, I depend
Hang on your every word
Listen attentively and rely on what you say
These days
Currently
I roll with the punches
Adapt to whatever comes my way
Always your clown
Always making you laugh and smile
Do you remember when
Recalling a specific moment in the past
We used to paint this town
We used to have great times here
Red gold green and blue
Using colorful imagery to describe vivid memories
If you still believe in me
If you still have faith in me and our relationship
And you
And you alone
Don't walk away
Don't abandon me and our love
I know I'll find an answer
I am confident that I can solve our problems
If you stay
If you commit to making things work
There's nothing in tomorrow
The future holds no new challenges or opportunities
That wasn't there in yesterday
Everything we need is already here
All the heartache
All the pain and sorrow
Too many nights
Numerous sleepless nights
In the heartbreak hotel
In a state of emotional turmoil
Don't you give up
Don't lose hope or stop trying
Love is a carousel
Love has its ups and downs, but keeps going around
Put on your dancing shoes
Let's have some fun and be happy
And we can paint this town
We can make new and happy memories here again
I'm sad that's all
I am feeling down and unhappy
This can't be the end
Our love story cannot be over
It's not my fault
I am not to blame
The rain on the roof
A metaphor for sadness and tears
Reach out
Ask for help or support
I'm drownin' not waving
I am struggling and not doing well
Before it's too late
Act quickly or regret it later
To save our love
To preserve and keep our relationship alive
Baby don't you walk away
Please don't leave me
Every cloud has got a silver lining
Every bad situation has some good aspect
If you look hard enough you'll find love shining
If you search for it, you will find love and happiness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GEOFF DOWNES, GLENN HUGHES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind