Been Here Once Before
Eagle‐Eye Cherry Lyrics


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You got you back up against the wall
Now you know that after all
When you make mistakes like that
There´s no more turning back
Now we've gone and we lost our head
You´re better off just playing dead
Once you´re wearing that black hat
There´s no point in turning back

I know, I know, I know
We've been here once before
I know, I know, I know
We've been here once before

All you know is you need to win
Should you go when your call comes in?
Once you see all the blood that flows
I don't think you´ll be wanting more
Now I thought that was all in the past
And that peace would come at last
Once again we are at war
Yes I know we've been here before

I know, I know, I know
We've been here once before
I know, I know, I know
We've been here once before

And I don't think you´ll be wanting more
We've been here once before
We've been here that´s for sure
And I don't think you´ll be wanting more




We've been here once before
We've been here that´s for sure

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eagle-Eye Cherry's song "Been Here Once Before" are about reflecting on past mistakes and the consequences that come with them. The first verse talks about a situation where someone has made a mistake that cannot be undone, and they are now stuck in a bad situation. They are wearing a "black hat," which is a symbol for being seen as the bad guy, and there's no turning back. The chorus repeats the phrase "we've been here once before," implying that this is not the first time this person has made a serious mistake that they regret.


The second verse mentions the desire to win and the temptation to keep going even when things get bloody. This is followed by a reference to past conflicts and the hope that peace would come, but once again, they are in the middle of a new conflict. The repetition of "we've been here before" emphasizes the cyclical nature of the mistakes being made. The song ends with the prediction that the person won't want to repeat their past mistakes and that they've learned from their experience.


Overall, the lyrics suggest that mistakes happen, but we can learn from them and avoid making the same mistakes again. The song is a reminder that no matter how bad a situation may seem, there is always a chance to grow and improve.


Line by Line Meaning

You got you back up against the wall
Facing a difficult situation without any escape


Now you know that after all
Acknowledging the inevitable consequences


When you make mistakes like that
Referring to a previous wrong decision


There´s no more turning back
Unable to undo the actions taken


Now we've gone and we lost our head
Acting impulsively without a clear plan


You´re better off just playing dead
Advising to avoid further action to prevent more damage


Once you´re wearing that black hat
Being perceived as the villain or the guilty one


There´s no point in turning back
No possibility of reversing the situation


I know, I know, I know
Emphasizing the repetition of the situation


We've been here once before
Referring to a previous similar event


All you know is you need to win
The desire to prevail at all costs


Should you go when your call comes in?
Questioning the decision to take action when provoked


Once you see all the blood that flows
Referring to the consequences of violent actions


I don't think you´ll be wanting more
Unwillingness to repeat the same mistakes


Now I thought that was all in the past
Believing that a previous problem was resolved


And that peace would come at last
Hoping for a peaceful resolution


Once again we are at war
Referring to a reiteration of the conflict


Yes I know we've been here before
Acknowledging the repetition of the situation


And I don't think you´ll be wanting more
Unwillingness to repeat the same mistakes


We've been here once before
Referring to a previous similar event


We've been here that´s for sure
Affirming the repetition of the situation


And I don't think you´ll be wanting more
Unwillingness to repeat the same mistakes


We've been here once before
Referring to a previous similar event


We've been here that´s for sure
Affirming the repetition of the situation




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EAGLE-EYE CHERRY, KLAS AHLUND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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