GIVING IT ALL AWAY
Daltrey Roger Lyrics

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I paid all my dues so I picked up my shoes,
I got up and walked away.
Oh, I was just a boy,
I didn't no how to play.

Worked hard and failed
now all I can say is
I threw it all away.

Oh, I was just a boy
giving it all away...

sail away, sail away,
ooh, I know better now, I know better now
giving it all away

ooh, I know better now, I know better now
I've given it all away...

Went out in the world too much for my nerves
only myself to blame.
oh, I was just a boy
nobody else to blame...

I've done all I can, now it's out of my hands
stand on my head and say
oh, I was just a boy
giving it all away...

sail away, sail away,
ooh, I know better now, I know better now
giving it all away

ooh, I know better now, I know better now
given it all away..

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Giving It All Away" by Daltrey Roger express the regret and reflection of a man who feels he has worked hard but failed despite his efforts. In the first verse, the singer has paid his dues but decides to walk away from his situation instead of continuing to try. He admits that he was just a boy and didn't know how to play or succeed in life. He feels like he threw it all away by giving up on his dreams. In the second verse, the singer stands alone and blames himself for going out too much and damaging his nerves. He realizes that he was just a boy and can only blame himself for his actions. In the final verse, the singer has come to the end of the road and accepts that he has done everything he can, but it is now out of his hands. He admits that he was just a boy giving it all away.

Line by Line Meaning

I paid all my dues so I picked up my shoes,
I fulfilled all my obligations, so I left the place.

I got up and walked away.
I went away from there and started a new life.

Oh, I was just a boy,
I was young and inexperienced.

I didn't no(how) how to play.
I lacked the necessary skills to succeed.

Worked hard and failed
I put in a lot of effort but still didn't succeed.

now all I can say is
Looking back, I can only say that

I threw it all away.
I wasted everything, my time, effort, and resources.

sail away, sail away,
I left everything behind and sailed away.

ooh, I know better now, I know better now
I have gained valuable experience from my failures.

I've given it all away...
I have lost everything and have nothing left to give.

Went out in the world too much for my nerves
I faced too many challenges that overwhelmed me.