Her studio album My Better Self finds Dar at an unequivocally brazen crossroads. Reflecting on American politics, the disillusionment and apathy of youth, and the female experience, Dar makes no apology for her outspoken beliefs.
Her 2008 album, entitled Promised Land. indieduck.com notes that "Williams turns over relationships in all their misunderstood, misconnected glory, and embraces religion, gender and other complications in her very wise songs. Promised Land draws in themes of nature, as well, and on the whole is a pretty piece of work that ends up feeling upbeat despite itself."
Her most recent album, 2012's In The Time Of The Gods, has a theme of Greek mythology running through it. The You Will Ride With Me Tonight Songfacts reports that Williams got the idea whilst driving on an isolated highway, during a trip from New York to Ontario.
Business
Dar Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a cold, cold time
And it makes me wonder
If I'll ever forget how cold I, how cold I
And the world can be
And the longest draw
And we draw the line
And we say it's only the business of things
When it's you and me
I can't live in the past
Hard shelled and moving fast
Change is the race car of time
Everyone nods along
I have done nothing wrong
And it feels like a crime
And it's a bright new day
It's a bright new day
And the crazy thing is
That I wish my old friend
Would say that it's fine
Say I'll be fine in a cold, cold time
In Dar Williams's song "Business", the singer reflects on the coldness of the world and how people often justify doing things that may hurt others by saying, "it's only the business of things". The repetition of "It's a cold, cold time" emphasizes the harsh reality of the world and how it can make one feel isolated and numb. However, the lyric "How can it be, how can it be. When it's you and me?" suggests that even though society may view certain actions as just business, there are still real human connections that could be damaged.
The second verse speaks to the idea of change and how it can be difficult to accept. The reference to a "race car of time" is a metaphor for how time seems to move quickly and can make it hard to hold onto the past. The line "everyone nods along, I have done nothing wrong, and it feels like a crime" speaks to the expectation to go along with the norm, even when it may not feel right.
The chorus shifts to a more hopeful tone with the line "It's a bright new day". However, the singer's desire for an old friend to say "I'll be fine in a cold, cold time" reveals a longing for connection and reassurance that everything will be okay.
Overall, "Business" explores the colder aspects of the world and how they can affect human connections, while also highlighting the importance of support and reassurance.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a cold, cold time
The current state of the world is very cold and stark
It's a cold, cold time
The current state of the world is very cold and stark
And it makes me wonder
This situation makes me ponder and question my life
If I'll ever forget how cold I, how cold I
I wonder if I'll ever forget the chilling sensation that haunts me
And the world can be
The world can be a harsh and cruel place
And the longest draw
The longest and most trying moments in life
And we draw the line
We establish firm boundaries to protect ourselves from the negatives of the world
And we say it's only the business of things
We tell ourselves that we only need to focus on the business or practical aspects of life
How can it be, how can it be
How can it be okay to ignore the emotional side of things?
When it's you and me
When it's the two of us affected by this
I can't live in the past
I cannot live in the past and must move forward
Hard shelled and moving fast
I must protect myself with a hard shell and move quickly to avoid getting hurt
Change is the race car of time
Change is the vehicle that propels us forward through time
Everyone nods along
Others just agree blindly without understanding or empathizing with my situation
I have done nothing wrong
I have not done anything to cause these problems
And it feels like a crime
Despite this, it still feels like I have committed a wrongdoing
And it's a bright new day
Despite everything, it's a new day and a chance for a fresh start
It's a bright new day
Despite everything, it's a new day and a chance for a fresh start
And the crazy thing is
The ironic thing is
That I wish my old friend
I yearn for an old friend
Would say that it's fine
I wish that they would tell me that everything will be okay
Say I'll be fine in a cold, cold time
Tell me that I'll be okay even when things seem very bleak and harsh
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAR WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind