She is known for her sense of humor, which is expressed in both her music and her onstage performances. Many of her songs alternate between emotional reflections on romance and outright comedy. Two of her more famous songs include "Sensitive New Age Guys" and "Bald Headed Men".
Until Now
Christine Lavin Lyrics
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"But it's under control
I've never picked a fight with a stranger
I've had no accidents on the road
It doesn't interfere with my work
It eases the strain
I make more money than I ever did
No one has ever complained"
Until Now
And I wonder just what your motivation is
Until Now
I never thought of you as one who'd meddle in my business
He is not my boyfriend
He's not related to me
I have known him for a long, long time
I'm worried by what I see
There's a nervous edginess that
Only drinking smoothes
When I question him about this, he says
"What are you tryin' to prove?"
Until Now
I have thought of you as the non-judgemental type
Now I see you've been reading too many magazines
Believeing all that self-help hype
He's the life of the party
He's everybody's pal
He used to act like he liked me
Until Now
Now we're waiting for the axe to fall
The phone call that shatters the night
Or maybe he will surprise us all
Wake up one day and see the light
So I'm standing in the shadows
With open eyes and closed mouth
Knowing every day that passes
He's farther away from drying out
Until Now
I was able to look the other way
Until Now
I could pretend that what I thought didn't matter anyway
Christine Lavin's "Until Now" is a heartbreaking song about a woman who is worried about her friend's drinking problem. The song starts with the man in question denying that he has a problem with alcohol. The woman has known him for a long time, and she is concerned about his drinking habits. He insists that he still functions well in his daily life despite drinking and that it helps him ease the stress he experiences. He claims he makes more money now than before, indicating that he sees no problem with his drinking. The woman senses that his nervous energy is only smoothed out by drinking and confronts him. The man turns the question back to her, apparently not ready to face the problem.
The chorus "Until Now" suggests that the woman has always known her friend well and believed that she was non-judgmental. She wonders why the woman is meddling in her business now. The woman is the singer of the story, and she is struggling with her friend's addiction. The man, on the other hand, is in denial and ignorant of his problem. Christine Lavin skillfully crafts her lyrics to give different perspectives on the problem.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, I know I drink too much", he says
Acknowledging the concern, the person reassures that it is under control.
"But it's under control
The drinking habit is manageable and has no significant impact.
I've never picked a fight with a stranger
The person has not behaved aggressively under the influence of alcohol.
I've had no accidents on the road
Driving has not been affected by drinking.
It doesn't interfere with my work
Drinking has no bearing on work performance.
It eases the strain
Drinking provides necessary relaxation.
I make more money than I ever did
Income has not been compromised by drinking.
No one has ever complained"
No one has ever expressed concern over the drinking habit.
Until Now
Before now, everything seemed fine.
And I wonder just what your motivation is
Wondering the reason behind someone's sudden interference.
Until Now
Prior to this, the source of conflict was not evident.
I never thought of you as one who'd meddle in my business
Be surprised that someone chose to interfere.
He is not my boyfriend
Clarifies the absence of any romantic relationship.
He's not related to me
States that the person is not a relative.
I have known him for a long, long time
The history of the relationship is lengthy.
I'm worried by what I see
Observations have caused concern.
There's a nervous edginess that
This is caused by an uneasy feeling.
Only drinking smoothes
Drinking is the only comfort.
When I question him about this, he says
Responses offered to the concerned person's observations.
"What are you tryin' to prove?"
Asking for clarification and questioning the motive.
Until Now
Prior to this, their opinions were not scornful.
I have thought of you as the non-judgmental type
Previously viewed the person as accepting of everyone.
Now I see you've been reading too many magazines
Observing and finding that the person has been influenced by a fad.
Believing all that self-help hype
The person has embraced a popular belief system without careful thought.
He's the life of the party
He is always the center of attention at social gatherings.
He's everybody's pal
Many people love to be around him.
He used to act like he liked me
Previously claimed to be interested in the singer.
Until Now
Recently, his actions have changed.
Now we're waiting for the axe to fall
Anticipating a negative event to occur.
The phone call that shatters the night
Awaiting news that will cause unrest late into the night.
Or maybe he will surprise us all
Hopeful that a positive change will occur.
Wake up one day and see the light
A metaphor for hoping that he will make a positive change.
So I'm standing in the shadows
It takes a sideline approach of watching a situation without intervention.
With open eyes and closed mouth
Observing a situation carefully without passing judgment.
Knowing every day that passes
Fully aware of the current and possibly worsening situation.
He's farther away from drying out
He is becoming increasingly entrenched in his addiction.
Until Now
Before this, it was possible to look past the actions observed.
I was able to look the other way
It was previously possible to ignore what was happening.
Until Now
Current events have made it impossible to ignore the situation.
I could pretend that what I thought didn't matter anyway
Could previously ignore the problems observed due to lack of significance.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHRISTINE LAVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind