Florence quits
Chess Lyrics


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[THE AMERICAN]
So you got what you want
What a nasty ambition!
Set me up, pull me down
Then exploit my condition
I should have guessed, woman
That if pressed, woman
You're on nobody's side but your own
And you're behaving
Like a mere woman
It's so clear, woman --
It's your sex!
Once they start getting old and getting worried
They let fly, take it out
On the one who supports them --
That's you I'm talking about

[THE AMERICAN & FLORENCE]
Who'd ever think it?
Such a squalid little ending
Watching you descending
Just as far as you can go
I'm learning things I didn't want to know
Who'd ever guess it?
This would be the situation --
One more observation --
How'd we ever get this far
Before you showed me what you really are?

[FLORENCE]
You'll be lost without me
To abuse like you're used to

[THE AMERICAN]
Go away! Just get out! Be someone else's parasite!

I'm not the kind to be vindictive
Holding some childish grudge
How could I be? I'm in the spotlight
Half of the world my judge

All I demand is those I work for
Those I give all my skills
All my time and pain
Those that I entertain




Give me the same compassion in return
But the fools never learn!

Overall Meaning

The song "Florence Quits" from the musical Chess is a heated exchange between two characters, The American and Florence. The first verse is sung by The American, who accuses Florence of being selfish and manipulative. He feels used and pushed around by her, and despite his initial attraction to her, he has now realized that she's not on his side. He believes that women can only think about themselves, and that they're too emotional to be trusted. However, he also acknowledges that it's his fault for not seeing this earlier.


The second verse is a duet between The American and Florence. They both express their shock and disappointment with each other. The American can't believe how low Florence has stooped, and how she's not the person he thought she was. Florence, on the other hand, accuses The American of being arrogant and condescending, and of taking her for granted. They both realize that they don't know each other as well as they thought they did, and that their relationship was based on false expectations.


Finally, Florence sings her own verse, in which she tries to assert her dominance over The American. She tells him that he'll regret losing her, and that he won't find anyone else who can put up with his abusive behavior. The American, however, has had enough, and tells her to leave him alone.


The song is a powerful representation of the complexities of human relationships, and how misunderstandings and miscommunications can lead to bitter endings. It also highlights the gender dynamics at play in romantic relationships, and how men and women often see things differently. Overall, "Florence Quits" is an emotional and thought-provoking song that asks us to reflect on our own relationships and the assumptions we make about others.


Line by Line Meaning

So you got what you want
You achieved your goal, but it was a malicious one


What a nasty ambition!
Your ambition was cruel and unpleasant


Set me up, pull me down
You put me in a difficult situation only to make it worse


Then exploit my condition
You took advantage of my vulnerability


I should have guessed, woman
I should have known that you were not to be trusted


That if pressed, woman
If pushed, you would not be on anyone's side but your own


You're on nobody's side but your own
You're selfish and look out for yourself only


And you're behaving
Your actions demonstrate that


Like a mere woman
Your gender does not excuse your behavior


It's so clear, woman --
It's obvious, despite what you may think


It's your sex!
Your behavior is not due to your gender, but your character


Once they start getting old and getting worried
People become insecure and lash out when they age


They let fly, take it out
They take out their frustrations on others


On the one who supports them --
Even those who care for them can become targets


That's you I'm talking about
You have become the victim of this behavior


Who'd ever think it?
Who would have thought that things would turn out this way?


Such a squalid little ending
It's a disappointing and shameful result


Watching you descending
I can see you losing respect and dignity


Just as far as you can go
You have reached the bottom


I'm learning things I didn't want to know
I am discovering things about you that I'd rather not have known


This would be the situation --
This is the unfortunate state of affairs


One more observation --
Another thing I've noticed is that


How'd we ever get this far
How did our relationship reach this low point?


Before you showed me what you really are?
Before you revealed your true nature?


You'll be lost without me
You will struggle once I'm gone


To abuse like you're used to
To being mistreated as you do to others


Go away! Just get out! Be someone else's parasite!
Leave and depend on someone else to support you


I'm not the kind to be vindictive
I am not one to seek revenge


Holding some childish grudge
I do not harbor petty resentment


How could I be? I'm in the spotlight
As a public figure, I cannot afford to hold onto animosity


Half of the world my judge
So many people scrutinize my every move


All I demand is those I work for
I only ask for respect from those I serve


Those I give all my skills
My clients receive all of the talents I possess


All my time and pain
The physical and emotional labor I put in


Those that I entertain
Even those I am entertaining are owed respect


Give me the same compassion in return
I expect to receive the kindness I show to others


But the fools never learn!
Unfortunately, some people refuse to learn from their actions




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

L H

Big fan of Murray Head. His sneery exploration of arrogance, delusion, and pain in this role is spectacular.

psycher7

Very well put.

Adelaide Dupont

And at some point the #delusion and #arrogance strips away and we see - and feel - Freddie's pain.

Robert Berardi

100%

Gamer

His voice just is not that good for this range I'm sorry

Noelle Williams

I've heard many different versions, but the concept album remains my favorite.

souldeep69

My favorite song from Chess! And quite delightfully, when the show was brought to Broadway here in America, where Björn and Benny came along quite possessively to guard their music, to work with the live orchestra arrangements and produce the Original Broadway Cast album. But perhaps best of all, a brand new song using the chorus and verse music of "Florence Quits" in a balanced verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure giving that gorgeous chorus melody its proper due and respect. It's called "No Contest" and was a duet between the Freddy and Walter, it's amazing and you poor deprived Europeans should check it out, not just for the song but for perhaps the best voices ever cast in these two roles! :)

Robert Berardi

I prefer this version, with the wonderful Merano. I'm a New Yorker but skipped the 2018 Lincoln Center run and instead went to London to see it.

souldeep69

Oh I agree with you. Looking back on my comment of two years ago I'm surprised I was so strong about it. It's wonderful, the Broadway version, but this is superb and definitive.
I still recommend lovers of this song to check out the new song on Broadway called "No Contest".

kcc005

Someone Else's Story was added when Chess made it to Broadway a few years after the concept album. However Elaine Paige recorded it a while ago and sings it in concert, albeit with very different orchestrations from the show

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