Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American si… Read Full Bio ↴Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician. His music is often (perhaps inappropriately) placed under the genre of "alt-country". Oldham has recorded under many names, including Palace, Palace Music, Palace Brothers, and Bonnie Billy. He often plays and records with other musicians, including David Pajo and his brothers Ned and Paul Oldham, but is generally the chief creator of the music. He has also been involved in musical projects and bands such as Amalgamated Sons of Rest, The Anomoanon, The Boxhead Ensemble, Tortoise, and The Sundowners as well as releasing his first solo album in 1993. Oldham has said that the Bonnie 'Prince' Billy moniker has many references. These include 'Bonnie' Prince Charlie, an 18th century Jacobite; Billy the Kid, the 19th century American outlaw also known as William Bonney; and the American singer Nat King Cole. He has also appeared in several films, such as the 1987 film Matewan and most recently in Old Joy (released in late 2006). He is also the photographer of the cover image of the slint album Spiderland.

Careless Love
Bonnie 'Prince' Billy Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wrote a careless love
"Love me not for I'm above
Above a cloud all flat and white
And with another love tonight"

And then a careless love
By weighty cloud above
Was ground into the floor

To loving breathe no more

Lady as I leave you
Limp on the floor
Distorting our voices
Slamming the door

I say sorry
I say bye bye

I say miss you
I say cry cry

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy's song "Careless Love" revolve around the theme of a love affair that is ending without much consideration. The singer is confessing to writing a careless love letter where he essentially tells his lover that he is above her and is already involved with someone else. The lyrics paint a picture of a selfish narrator who is not taking the feelings of his partner into consideration.

In the subsequent verses, the singer describes the aftermath of the love affair. The singer leaves his partner devastated and in tears. He apologizes, says goodbye, and admits that he will miss her. However, it seems he has learned nothing from his mistake as he ends the song with the line, "I'll find another love tonight."

Overall, the lyrics of "Careless Love" convey the theme of a fleeting love that has been carelessly handled. It shows the vulnerability of love and the pain that often comes with it when it is taken for granted.

Line by Line Meaning

I wrote a careless love
I expressed my love without much thought or consideration

Love me not for I'm above
Please don't love me for superficial reasons, as I am above such shallow things

Above a cloud all flat and white
I am above the world and its troubles, just like a serene cloud in the sky

And with another love tonight
However, I will be with someone else tonight and not thinking about you

And then a careless love
My love was reckless and not well thought out

By weighty cloud above
Beneath the weight of my lofty ideals, my love crumbled

Was ground into the floor
My heart was shattered and destroyed

To loving breathe no more
My ability to love was lost and I could no longer feel anything

Lady as I leave you
As I depart from you, my dear

Limp on the floor
You will be left heartbroken and helpless

Distorting our voices
As our emotions run high, our voices become distorted

Slamming the door
I will leave abruptly, causing a loud noise by slamming the door

I say sorry
I express regret for my actions

I say bye bye
I bid farewell

I say miss you
Despite everything, I will miss you

I say cry cry
I acknowledge that our separation may bring tears to your eyes

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGELO BADALAMENTI, JOHN MAYBURY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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