Nobody's Side
Chess Lyrics

You want to lose your only friend?
Florence is questioning The American's behavior and wondering why he would want to push her away and lose her as a friend.

Well, keep it up, you're doing fine!
Florence is being sarcastic, suggesting that The American's behavior is causing him to be successful in pushing her away.

Why this humiliation?
Florence is frustrated and confused about why The American is treating her poorly and humiliating her.

Why treat me like a fool?
Florence feels disrespected and like she is being played for a fool by The American's actions.

I've taken shit for seven years,
Florence has endured mistreatment or abuse for a long time, represented by the seven years mentioned here.

and I won't take it anymore
Florence has reached a breaking point and is no longer willing to tolerate any more mistreatment from The American.

I'm only teasing Soviets
The American is suggesting that his behavior towards the Soviets is harmless and just teasing or joking.

With gentle bonhomie
The American is using a friendly and charming approach to tease the Soviets.

And you've a better reason to be anti-them than me
The American is trying to deflect criticism by suggesting that Florence has more reason to be anti-Soviet than he does.

There's a time and there's a place!
Florence is frustrated that The American is teasing her about her anti-Soviet views at a time and place where it is inappropriate.

Is this the girl always said she wants to know the truth?
The American is questioning whether Florence's desire to know the truth means that she should be more open-minded about his teasing of the Soviets.

1956 - Budapest is rising 1956 - Budapest is fighting 1956 - Budapest is falling 1956 - Budapest is dying
The choir is reminding us of the events of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, which is particularly relevant to the themes of the musical Chess because it involved a popular uprising against Soviet domination.

I'd have thought you'd support any attack on these people On the people who ran mindlessly over your childhood Don't let them fool you, for thirty years on they're the same They see chess as a war, playing with pawns, just like Poland If you walk out on me they will have won the first battle Wouldn't your father have begged you to stay in the game?
The American is trying to convince Florence to support an attack on the Soviets, suggesting that she has a personal stake in the matter because of her childhood experiences. He also argues that the Soviets are using chess as a proxy for war, just like the Polish. Finally, he appeals to her sense of loyalty to her father and suggests that leaving the game would be admitting defeat to the Soviets.

He would, but he didn't know you He'd loathe your behavior and so do I - Why'd you have to do this to me?
Florence is rejecting The American's appeal to her father's memory by pointing out that her father would not approve of his behavior. She is frustrated and hurt by his actions and doesn't understand why he would treat her so badly.

What's going on around me is barely making sense I need some explainations fast I see my present partner in the imperfect tense And I don't see how we can last I feel I need a change of cast Maybe I'm on nobody's side
Florence is confused and frustrated by the events happening around her and doesn't feel like she has a clear sense of what is going on. She is beginning to doubt her relationship with The American and feels like she may need a change in her life. She also begins to feel like she doesn't have anyone on her side and may be alone in her struggles.

And when he gives me reasons To justify each move They're getting harder to believe I know this can't continue I've still a lot to prove There must be more I could acheive But I don't have the nerve to leave
Florence is becoming increasingly skeptical of The American's motivations and is finding it harder to believe his justifications for his behavior. She realizes that things cannot continue like this but feels like she still has more to prove and doesn't have the courage to leave.

Everybody's playing the game But nobody's rules are the same Nobody's on nobody's side
Florence is realizing that everyone is playing their own game and that no one's rules or motivations are the same. She begins to feel like everyone is out for themselves and that there is no loyalty or unity between anyone.

Better learn to go it alone Recognize you're out on your own Nobody's on nobody's side
Florence realizes that she needs to be more self-sufficient and learn how to survive on her own, as no one is truly on anyone else's side and everyone is out for themselves.

The one I should not think of Keeps rolling through my mind And I don't want to let that go No lovers ever faithfull No contract truly signed There's nothing certain left to know And how the cracks begin to show
Florence is struggling to let go of someone she knows she shouldn't be thinking of, which represents a crack in her relationship with The American. She begins to recognize that love and contracts are not always certain or reliable, and that relationships can easily fall apart.

Never make a promise or plan Take a little love where you can Nobody's on nobody's side Never stay too long in your bed Never lose your heart, use your head Nobody's on nobody's side Never take a stranger's advice Never let a friend fool you twice Nobody's on nobody's side Never be the first to believe Never be the last to deceive Nobody's on nobody's side And never leave a moment too soon Never waste a hot afternoon Nobody's on nobody's side Never stay a minute too long Don't forget the best will go wrong Nobody's on nobody's side
These lines serve as a summary of the song's themes, advising the listener to be cautious and look out for themselves in all aspects of their life because no one is truly on anyone else's side.