Down For The Third Time
Bobby Caldwell Lyrics


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Left your mark
In a distant past
But somehow it's all gone now
Good things can never last
You are down for the third time
And you spent your change
Memories of your prime
Make life seem so strange

Through your life
You've been well-to-do
Times have changed
And rearranged
Now no one remembers you
You are down for the third time
And you spent your change




Daddy won't mind
When you rearrange your life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bobby Caldwell's song "Down For The Third Time" speak of someone who was successful in their past but has now fallen on hard times. The opening lines "Left your mark in a distant past, but somehow it's all gone now, good things can never last" suggest that the person was once successful and well-known, but their success has disappeared. The refrain "You are down for the third time, and you spent your change, memories of your prime make life seem so strange" emphasizes that this person has hit rock bottom and has nothing left. The memories of their successful past only serve to contrast their current state and make them feel disoriented and lost.


The second stanza of the song continues to describe how this person's life has changed. "Through your life, you've been well-to-do, times have changed, and rearranged. Now no one remembers you" paints a picture of someone who was once well-respected and well-off, but now they have fallen so far that no one even remembers who they were. The refrain "Daddy won't mind when you rearrange your life" suggests that the person may have to make some drastic changes to get back on their feet. It could also mean that the person's father won't judge them for their failures and will still love them regardless.


Overall, the lyrics of "Down For The Third Time" convey a sense of loss, despair, and hopelessness. The song speaks to anyone who has experienced a fall from grace and is trying to pick up the pieces of their life.


Line by Line Meaning

Left your mark
You had a significant impact or influence in the past


In a distant past
This occurred a long time ago


But somehow it's all gone now
Those past glories have disappeared, and the present is different


Good things can never last
Positive experiences and circumstances are ephemeral


You are down for the third time
You have experienced failure or misfortune twice before, and now it has happened a third time


And you spent your change
You have depleted your resources and have little left


Memories of your prime
Recollections of a time when you were at your best or most successful


Make life seem so strange
Comparing current circumstances and past success is a surreal experience


Through your life
Over the course of your existence


You've been well-to-do
You enjoyed significant wealth or prosperity


Times have changed
Conditions have shifted since those prosperous times


And rearranged
Elements have been moved or altered in some way


Now no one remembers you
The people who once respected or admired you have forgotten or discarded those feelings


Daddy won't mind
Your father will not object


When you rearrange your life
You are free to make significant changes to your current circumstances, and your father will not intervene




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bobby Caldwell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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