Dan Bern (aka Bernstein, a name under which he sometimes performs) is a gui… Read Full Bio ↴Dan Bern (aka Bernstein, a name under which he sometimes performs) is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and painter. His music is often compared to that of Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello. His song "Talkin' Woody, Bob, Bruce, and Dan Blues," from the album Smartie Mine, offers a joking take on this influence, presented in the style of a Guthrie or Dylan talking blues song, and containing a spoof of a Dylan song as well. Bernstein has also toured with Ani DiFranco. He is known for sardonic, literary lyrics, a range of musical styles, and a folk music style paired with rock instrumentation. He also wrote the novel Quitting Science (2004) under the pen name Cunliffe Merriwether and wrote the preface under his own name.

Although a vein of social and political humor runs though even his earliest work, Bern's work became more explicitly political during the 2004 US presidential election campaign, with songs such as "Bush Must Be Defeated" and "President" highlighting his sometimes surreal political takes.

Bern is reflexively literate, in the style of his favorite authors, including L.A.'s legendary bohemians Charles Bukowski and John Fante, urbane fantasist James Thurber, and yarn-spinning humorist Ring Lardner. He is in love with the power of words to turn on themselves, to frolic, to bite, and his strong, friendly voice can go from earnest to ferocious within seconds. Being captivated by Dan is the easy part; describing his music to the non-initiated is more difficult. One journalist tried: "topical-poetical-sarcastic-punk-folk." An admirable effort, further elaborated by the New York Times: "He veers from comedy to anger, conjectures to shaggy-dog stories; he takes sidelong approaches to theology, science fiction, consumer culture, art, love and baseball."

Suzanne
Dan Bern Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Someday you'll walk where I am
And then you'll see my footprints left in the sand
I feel you moving in my wake
So please try to learn from my mistakes

Do not judge from where you stand
Someday you will understand
I want what's best for me and you

And I know that you want it too, Suzanne

Suzanne
I know someday you'll understand
Suzanne
I know someday you'll understand

As you sit there in the shade
And reflect on the choices that I have made
Just remember what I've done
Has been done in the glare of a blinding sun

Someday you will understand
Someday you'll held my hand
Someday I will shout your name
And I know you'll be shouting the same, Suzanne

Suzanne
I know someday you'll understand
Suzanne
I know someday you'll understand

Suzanne
Suzanne
Suzanne
Suzanne

I hope I don't sell you short
Maybe you see it clear from your far-off port
But I can't look back and check
With every step I risk my neck

Someday when your sky is blue
You'll know what I've left to you
Then you'll know what you must do
And you'll know that my heart has been true, Suzanne

Suzanne
I know someday you'll understand
Suzanne
I know someday you'll understand

Suzanne
Suzanne

Suzanne
Suzanne

Overall Meaning

The song “Suzanne” by Dan Bern is a reflective tune where the singer talks about how his life choices and experiences have left marks and imprints behind – like footprints in the sand. The singer acknowledges that someday the listener, who is named Suzanne, will understand the choices he has made, and he hopes that she learns from his mistakes. He advises her not to judge him from where she stands now because, someday, she will understand. The song invokes the idea of legacy, with the singer hoping that the listener carries on his legacy and does what is best for herself and for him.

The singer seems to be feeling vulnerable, as he reflects on his choices while being exposed to the glare of a blinding sun. He advises the listener to hold his hand someday, and he knows that they both want what is best for each other. The singer admonishes Suzanne to remember that reflection and deep thought is important in decision-making. The song suggests a future where Suzanne will have the blue skies she deserves and the song ends by asserting that Suzanne will understand someday. Dan Bern’s evocative and metaphorical language throughout this song suggests that people should consider their legacy, and that their imprint and footprints are important markers of their journey throughout life.

Line by Line Meaning

Someday you'll walk where I am
You will eventually face the same challenges and experiences that I have faced.

And then you'll see my footprints left in the sand
You will be able to see the marks I left behind and learn from them.

I feel you moving in my wake
I can sense you following me and learning from my actions.

So please try to learn from my mistakes
I hope you can learn from my failures and avoid making the same mistakes.

Do not judge from where you stand
Don't assess my actions from your current perspective, as you will eventually face similar situations.

Someday you will understand
Eventually, you will gain a new perspective and comprehend my situation.

I want what's best for me and you
I always strive for the best outcomes for both of us.

And I know that you want it too, Suzanne
I know you share the same desire for what's best for us.

As you sit there in the shade
As you rest and become a spectator of my actions.

And reflect on the choices that I have made
Contemplating the choices and decisions I have made in the past.

Just remember what I've done
Recall the actions and decisions I have taken.

Has been done in the glare of a blinding sun
My actions were taken under intense scrutiny and pressure.

Someday you'll held my hand
At some point in time, we will hold hands and support each other.

Someday I will shout your name
When the time comes, I will call out your name and express my support for you.

And I know you'll be shouting the same, Suzanne
I have faith that you will reciprocate the same support and encouragement for me.

I hope I don't sell you short
I hope I am not underestimating your ability to understand and support me.

Maybe you see it clear from your far-off port
Perhaps you have already gained the necessary insight from afar.

But I can't look back and check
I can't go back and verify if you fully comprehend my situation and decisions.

With every step I risk my neck
Every decision I make involves a certain amount of risk.

Someday when your sky is blue
At some point, your situation will be better and more clear.

You'll know what I've left to you
You will then appreciate the guidance, lessons, and legacy I have left for you.

Then you'll know what you must do
You will have the necessary insight and knowledge to take the appropriate actions.

And you'll know that my heart has been true, Suzanne
You will understand that I always had your best interest in mind and that my intentions were genuine.

Suzanne
The name of a person he is addressing the song to.

I know someday you'll understand
The hope that the person addressed in the song will one day understand his situation and decisions.

Contributed by Kaitlyn G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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