Don't Think Twice It's Alright
Brett Dennen & Ted Lennon Lyrics
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Even you don't know by now
And it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It'll never do somehow
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window, and I'll be gone
You're the reason I'm a-traveling on
And It ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
The light I never knowed
And it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
I'm on the dark side of the road
But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
But we never did too much talking anyway
But don't think twice, it's all right.
So It ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
Like you never done before
And It ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
I can't hear you any more
I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I am told
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right.
So long honey, baby
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
Goodbye's too good a word, babe
So I'll just say fare thee well
I ain't a-saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right.
The lyrics to Brett Dennen & Ted Lennon's song Don't Think Twice, It's Alright, are about a man who is leaving a woman he once loved. The song has a melancholy feel to it, with the singer acknowledging that his relationship with this woman was not perfect, but he doesn't hold any animosity towards her. He explains that he is leaving her because it's time for him to move on, though he admits that he wished there was something she could have said to make him stay. He also acknowledges that the relationship was not very communicative, but he doesn't blame her for that. He says goodbye to her but makes it clear that he doesn't see it as goodbye, but rather, farewell.
The song's lyrics are steeped in the tradition of the American folk music era. The song's structure is based on a 12-bar blues melody, with the use of the guitar as the main instrument to carry the melody, coupled with the vocal harmonies of the two singers. The lyrics are also rooted in the traditions of storytelling and balladry, where the songwriter tells a story that has a moral lesson or message for the listener. The song's refrain, "but don't think twice, it's all right," is a reminder not to dwell on what has been lost but to move on with one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
There's no point in trying to figure out why things didn't work out.
Even you don't know by now
Even if you still don't understand why we're going separate ways.
And it ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It's not helpful to keep ruminating on the past or analyze what went wrong.
It'll never do somehow
This won't bring closure or resolution, no matter how much we try.
When your rooster crows at the break of dawn
When you wake up to start a new day,
Look out your window, and I'll be gone
I'll have left without saying goodbye, moving forward with my life.
You're the reason I'm a-traveling on
Your actions or behavior led me to decide to leave and keep on traveling.
But don't think twice, it's all right.
Don't worry or feel guilty about my departure; it's for the best.
And it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
Don't bother turning on the light, I won't be coming back.
The light I never knowed
I never needed your help or light to find my way forward.
And it ain't no use in turning on your light, babe
It won't make any difference or bring me back.
I'm on the dark side of the road
I'm on my own and facing uncertainty, but I'm okay with it.
But I wish there was somethin' you would do or say
Part of me hoped you would try to convince me to stay.
To try and make me change my mind and stay
To persuade me to reconsider and not go.
But we never did too much talking anyway
Our communication wasn't strong or effective enough to save our relationship.
But don't think twice, it's all right.
Despite the things left unsaid, it's time to move forward and let go.
So It ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
Don't bother trying to reach out to me, it won't change my decision.
Like you never done before
Even if you have before, this time it won't make a difference.
And It ain't no use in calling out my name, gal
I won't be able to hear it, I'm too far gone.
I'm a-thinking and a-wonderin' walking down the road
As I'm walking, my mind is occupied with thoughts and ruminations about the past.
I once loved a woman, a child I am told
I remember fondly the past, how I loved and was loved when I was young and naive.
I gave her my heart but she wanted my soul
I gave everything I could, but it wasn't enough, the relationship demanded too much of me.
But don't think twice, it's all right.
I may be reflecting on the past, but I'm still moving on with my life.
So long honey, baby
Goodbye, my dear, it's time for me to go.
Where I'm bound, I can't tell
I don't know where the future will lead me, but I'm excited to find out.
Goodbye's too good a word, babe
Saying just 'goodbye' seems more final and absolute than I'm comfortable with.
So I'll just say fare thee well
I prefer saying farewell, a slightly more optimistic and slightly less permanent way of saying goodbye.
I ain't a-saying you treated me unkind
I don't want to be misunderstood, you were not cruel or bad to me.
You could have done better but I don't mind
I don't blame you, I know we both made mistakes, and I have no hard feelings.
You just kinda wasted my precious time
Together, we weren't going anywhere, and precious time was wasted in this relationship.
But don't think twice, it's all right.
Despite the regrets and the memories, it's time for me to move on.
Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.