How many times
Cat Stevens Lyrics


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How many times must I get up
Look out and see the same old view
How many times must I wear the same old things
And hear the same old things that I do, I do
How many times must I clean this face my face
And how many times must I shine my shoes, oh lord
How many times must I drink the same old drink
And dream the same old dreams that I do

Because I, I know one thing
There ain't nothing that could ever ease the pain
But for your line and mine
I want that loving again

How many times must I pass your place. your place
And how many times must I follow you, you
How many times must I see the same old things
When all I should be seeing is you

Because I, I know one thing
There ain't nothing that could ever ease the pain




But for your line and mine
I want that loving again, again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Cat Stevens's song "How Many Times" are a melancholic reflection on the repetition and monotony of everyday life. The song starts with the singer questioning how many times they have to wake up to the same old view, wear the same old clothes, and hear the same old things. The singer seems tired of the routine and feels trapped in their current life.


The chorus of the song reveals that the singer is longing for love as a way to escape the pain of their repetitive life. They admit that nothing else can relieve their discomfort, but the connection they had with someone else. This person, who remains unnamed throughout the song, seems to be the main focus of the singer's thoughts, as they wonder how many times they have to pass this person's place and how many times they have to follow them.


The overall mood of the song is one of yearning, as the singer longs for something different, something more fulfilling than their current reality. The repetition in the lyrics emphasizes the monotony of everyday life, while the use of the phrase "oh lord" suggests that the singer is searching for something greater than their own experience.


Line by Line Meaning

How many times must I get up
How often do I have to wake up and start my day


Look out and see the same old view
Only to encounter the same dull view outside my window


How many times must I wear the same old things
How many occasions do I have to put on clothes I have already worn


And hear the same old things that I do, I do
And listen to the same monotonous sounds that i have to hear every single day


How many times must I clean this face my face
How often must I wash my face to keep it clean


And how many times must I shine my shoes, oh lord
And how often should I polish my shoes as an act of respect to the almighty


How many times must I drink the same old drink
How many times should I consume the same beverage over and over again


And dream the same old dreams that I do
And have the same thoughts and visions every night when I'm sleeping


How many times must I pass your place. your place
How frequently should I pass by your home


And how many times must I follow you, you
And how often should I follow you around


How many times must I see the same old things
How many times should I look at the same repetitive sights


When all I should be seeing is you
When all I truly want to see is you and nothing else


I, I know one thing
I know for sure


There ain't nothing that could ever ease the pain
Nothing can help me forget how much it hurts


But for your line and mine
But if my path crosses yours again


I want that loving again
I long to be with you and experience your love all over again


Again
One more time




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Spirit Music Group
Written by: STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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