Without a Leg to Stand On
Buckingham Nicks Lyrics


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I got nothin' but time
No time for living
I've been everywhere
It's all the same
I just need somebody
That I can lean on
Nobody wants to keep you
When you're in love with the game

But you know that I can't let go
And there ain't nothin' left to show
Got the feeling I can't say no
Without a leg to stand on

There's so many fine people
That I believe in
They don't care where I'm going
It's not their show
I got nothin' but time
No time for living
I used to be somebody
But that was so long ago

Look around but you won't see me
Just a picture of what I used to be
There ain't nothin' to set me free
Without a leg to stand on

But you know that I can't let go
And there ain't nothin' left to show




Got the feelin' I can't say no
Without a leg to stand on

Overall Meaning

In the song "Without a Leg to Stand On", Buckingham Nicks sings of the struggles and loneliness that come with being a musician. The opening lines suggest a lack of purpose and direction, with the singer having "nothing but time" and "no time for living". Despite having been "everywhere", the world has become monotonous and unfulfilling. The only thing that seems to matter to the singer is finding someone to "lean on", but being tied up in the passion for the "game" of music seems to be a hindrance to forming stable relationships.


The pre-chorus repeats the titular phrase "without a leg to stand on", which appears to be a metaphor for the weak and unstable foundation upon which a music career is built. The singer feels powerless, unable to let go of their love for music and yet unable to find success or satisfaction. The second verse furthers this theme, with the singer reflecting on the people around them who "don't care where I'm going" and placing emphasis on their past, where they "used to be somebody".


Line by Line Meaning

I got nothin' but time
I have a lot of free time on my hands with nothing to do


No time for living
But I don't feel like I'm actually living my life, just going through the motions


I've been everywhere
I've travelled extensively and experienced a lot of different things


It's all the same
But no matter where I go or what I do, it all feels very monotonous and repetitive


I just need somebody
I am desperately seeking a connection with someone


That I can lean on
Someone who can support me and help me through the tough times


Nobody wants to keep you
But it seems like everyone I meet only wants to be around me when I'm in a good mood or successful


When you're in love with the game
They don't truly care about me as a person, just what I can offer them or how my success can benefit them


But you know that I can't let go
Even though I recognize this unhealthy dynamic, I can't seem to break away from it


And there ain't nothin' left to show
I feel like I've given all I have to give and have nothing left to offer


Got the feeling I can't say no
I'm so used to people pleasing and saying yes to everything that I struggle to set boundaries


Without a leg to stand on
I feel powerless and vulnerable, like I have no control over my own life


There's so many fine people
I know a lot of wonderful people who I respect and admire


That I believe in
But in spite of this, I still feel very alone and unsupported


They don't care where I'm going
They're not interested in helping me figure out my own path or making sure I'm okay


It's not their show
They're focused on their own lives and goals, not mine


I used to be somebody
I have a sense of loss and nostalgia for a time when I felt more confident and successful


But that was so long ago
But that time feels so distant now, and I'm not even sure who I am anymore


Look around but you won't see me
I feel invisible and like no one really sees or understands me


Just a picture of what I used to be
To others, I may just be a memory of someone I used to be, not who I truly am now


There ain't nothin' to set me free
I'm trapped in this cycle of feeling powerless and unsupported, with no clear way out


Without a leg to stand on
I feel powerless and vulnerable, like I have no control over my own life


But you know that I can't let go
Even though I recognize this unhealthy dynamic, I can't seem to break away from it


And there ain't nothin' left to show
I feel like I've given all I have to give and have nothing left to offer


Got the feelin' I can't say no
I'm so used to people pleasing and saying yes to everything that I struggle to set boundaries


Without a leg to stand on
I feel powerless and vulnerable, like I have no control over my own life




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@malkneil

Just heard Buckingham/Nicks for the first time. This was definitely my favorite track.

@bobbs9929

Brilliance.

@nathanielswan909

One of my first albums. Maybe early 70's. This is one of my all-time favs

@redfish9809

Wish they'd do a duo tour

@beatlebug8838

Great song

@jellomonkey3265

song is about his frustration with the music business