Once Around the Block
Badly Drawn Boy Lyrics


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You quiver like a candle on fire
I'm putting you out
Maybe tonight we could be the last shout
But I'm fascinated by your style
Your beauty will last for a while

You're feeling instead of being
The more that I live on the outside
There's nothing to give
I'm infatuated by your moves
I've got to search hard for your clues

I want to repair your desire
And call it a gift
That I stole from just wanting to live
How I see the vision through your eyes
Your innocence no longer fuels surprise

Trying to outrun your fear
You're running to lose, heart on your sleeve
And your sole in your shoes
Take a left,
A sharp left




And another left, meet me on the corner
And we'll start, again.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Badly Drawn Boy's song "Once Around the Block" speak to the complicated relationship between two people who are attracted to each other but have a difficult time connecting. The line "You quiver like a candle on fire, I'm putting you out" suggests that the singer is trying to calm the other person down, to help them relax and let go of their fears. They want to connect with this person, to have a moment of passion before it's too late, but they're not sure whether they can make it happen.


As the song progresses, the singer becomes more and more fascinated with the other person's style and beauty, but they also become acutely aware of the differences between them. The line "You're feeling instead of being, the more that I live on the outside there's nothing to give" suggests that they feel a disconnect, that they are struggling to bridge the gap between them. However, the singer is determined to understand the other person, even if it means digging deep and searching hard for clues.


The final lines of the song provide a glimmer of hope. The singer offers to repair the other person's desire, to give them a gift that they've stolen simply by wanting to live. There is a sense of urgency and passion to this offer - it's as if the singer knows that they may only have one chance to connect with this person. They urge them to run towards their fears, to take a left and then another left, until they meet on the corner and start over again.


Overall, the lyrics to "Once Around the Block" are a testament to the power of desire and the way that it can draw people together even when there are obstacles in their path. The song captures the intense emotions of the moment, the sense that anything is possible if only they can find a way to connect.


Line by Line Meaning

You quiver like a candle on fire
You're nervous and unstable, like a burning candle.


I'm putting you out
I'm calming you down and making you feel safe.


Maybe tonight we could be the last shout
We could have a wild night and make it memorable.


But I'm fascinated by your style
I'm attracted to your unique personality.


Your beauty will last for a while
I'm not just attracted to your personality, but your physical beauty too.


You're feeling instead of being
You're emotional and sensitive, rather than rational and detached.


The more that I live on the outside
The more I observe the world from an objective perspective,


There's nothing to give
I'm struggling to find any meaning or purpose in life.


I'm infatuated by your moves
I'm obsessed with the way you carry yourself and move.


I've got to search hard for your clues
I have to pay close attention and work hard to figure you out.


I want to repair your desire
I want to fulfill your emotional needs and make you feel satisfied.


And call it a gift
And consider it a present, something that I can give to you.


That I stole from just wanting to live
I took inspiration from simply being alive and experiencing the world.


How I see the vision through your eyes
I'm able to understand your point of view and see things from your perspective.


Your innocence no longer fuels surprise
I'm no longer surprised by your naivety or lack of experience.


Trying to outrun your fear
You're attempting to overcome your fears and anxieties by avoiding them.


You're running to lose, heart on your sleeve
You're exposing yourself and being vulnerable, even if it means getting hurt.


And your sole in your shoes
You're grounded and firmly rooted in your beliefs.


Take a left,
Turn left.


A sharp left
Make a quick and precise turn to the left.


And another left, meet me on the corner
Turn left again and we'll meet at the street corner.


And we'll start, again.
We'll begin anew, with a fresh start.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAMON MICHAEL GOUGH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@dredgeportals

It took me sixteen years to find this song. I used to have it going round in my head and I'd hum it to bemused people, it was driving me mad, the lost song. Finally heard it playing in a shop and practically jumped on the counter to demand what was playing. What an absolutely amazing song :)

@transsurfingtv

The whole album is a masterpiece: "The Hour Of Bewilderbeast" https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL94211D3CB9DC4596

@davidevans8858

You know the same thing has happened to me. I knew it was BDB so I Googled Badly Drawn Boy's best song played it on YouTube (NOW!! )and here it is!!

@thief257

lols.... glad you found it

@mikesinclair7135

Im glad you found it man!! I have had similar experiences with other songs, some of which I've still not.found but haven't lost hope.

@PostCrusifixion

this happend to mi with another song, finley quaye sunday shining

58 More Replies...

@camerongillies572

An old friend showed me this song and years ago, it was one of his favorites. Last week he jumped in front of a train, we still don't know why. Rip bud - We are always with you x

@eveR-co8zk

Rest in peace to your friend I hope you are well and strong

@ARDA-cb2zr

Sorry for your loss rip

@bryanabarca9860

Sending my condolence

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