In the summer of 2001 Baxter Dury released his debut single, the "Oscar Brown EP". The single picked up rave reviews, which included 'Single of the Week' in NME. It also achieved 'Single of the Week' in the Guardian.
PRINCE OF TEARS
Baxter Dury Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No one's gonna love you more than us
Prince of tears, prince of tears
No one's gonna love you more than us
I'm the prince of tears
Stood on this driveway
Washing his hands of all the guilt
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Prince of tears, prince of tears
No one's gonna love you more than us
Prince of tears, prince of tears
No one's gonna love you more than us
And the prince of tears wiped his eyes
And looked to everything he owned and smiled
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
In Baxter Dury's song "Prince of Tears," the lyrics depict a sense of melancholy and emotional vulnerability. The repeated line "No one's gonna love you more than us" suggests a strong emotional connection and support from the people around the singer, who is referred to as the "prince of tears." The title itself implies that this character is someone who is often overwhelmed by sadness and prone to shedding tears.
The verse "Stood on this driveway, washing his hands of all the guilt and bad things" conveys a moment of reflection and a desire to cleanse oneself from past mistakes or negative experiences. The driveway symbolizes a transitional space, perhaps representing a turning point where the singer is attempting to rid themselves of the burdens and regrets that have haunted them.
The chorus, with its repetition of "Everybody loves to say goodbye," reflects a sense of resignation and acceptance of the transitory nature of relationships. The theme of farewell is highlighted, suggesting that goodbyes and partings are a common occurrence in the singer's life. This repetition also implies a certain familiarity or expectation of goodbyes, as if saying goodbye has become a routine in their relationships.
The concluding lines express a plea for the prince of tears not to leave, coupled with laughter. This laughter may be fueled by a mix of affection, irony, and a coping mechanism to mask the underlying sadness. It reveals a complex and nuanced emotional response, illustrating the intricacies of human connection.
Overall, "Prince of Tears" presents a poignant exploration of emotional vulnerability, the transient nature of relationships, and the effort to find solace amidst a backdrop of sadness and goodbyes.
Line by Line Meaning
Prince of tears, prince of tears
Acknowledging the singer as someone who is burdened with immense sadness and pain
No one's gonna love you more than us
Expressing support and reassurance that despite the singer's sorrow, they are deeply cared for
I'm the prince of tears
Identifying the singer as the one who bears the heavy weight of emotional anguish
Stood on this driveway
Positioned on the path of life, possibly symbolizing a moment of contemplation or a turning point
Washing his hands of all the guilt
Cleansing oneself from the burden of remorse and regret
And bad things
Referring to negative experiences or actions that contribute to the character's sorrow
Everybody loves to say goodbye
Highlighting the common occurrence of people parting ways, whether intentionally or inevitably
And the prince of tears wiped his eyes
Depicting a moment of the artist attempting to regain composure and face their emotions head-on
And looked to everything he owned and smiled
Finding solace or contentment in material possessions despite the internal turmoil
Prince of tears, don't leave me like this laughing at you
Reaching out to the artist, pleading for them not to abandon them while mocking their vulnerability
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Baxter Dury, Madelaine Kate Hart, Ben Gallagher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Meagher
Just heard this on Rain Dogs ❤❤❤ amazing song amazingly show
Christophe Measson
This is the kind of song you listen once and you know you will keep it for specific moments to play it again so simple and efficient.
Control Oz
Just discovered this bloke. He’s a genius.
Joan y gianni
He is the son of Ian dury .look him up.
LostTentacle616
Wake up..! 😅🤘
Daniel Harrison
Correct
You out
Такая красивая песня 🖤
Lyn Smith
So damned beautiful. I’m in music heaven. All I can say is ‘thank you’. Thank you for being beautiful you.
C JMF
This Guy a Modern Urban Poet, a true wordsmith, raw and real!
hern
C JMF yeeep