Split Decision
Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood Lyrics
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His confidence never needs a crutch
One man is a real one, the other wants to hide
One man has his mind made up, the other can't decide
By the time there's nothing left to choose
One man puts the fire out, the other lights the fuse
Sometimes I think I know too much
Half of me is certain, the other isn't sure
One half has the symptom, the other has the cure
By the time there's nothing left to choose
One half has the answer, the other looks for clues
It's a fine line
A very fine line
Split decision
It's a fine line
A very fine line
Sometimes I think we've come too far
If we're lost and if not where we are
Half of us is easy, the other half is hard
Even though we do our best, we end up being scarred
By the time there's nothin' left to choose
One man puts the fire out, the other lights the fuse
It's a fine line
A very fine line
Split decision
It's a fine line
Split decision
Oh, it's a fine line
It's a very fine line
Split decision
It's a fine line
A very fine line
It's a fine line
A very fine line
Split decision
Oh, it's a fine line
Split decision
It's a fine line
A very fine line
Split decision
It's a fine line
A very fine line
It's a very fine line
Very fine
A very fine line
Very, very fine line
The lyrics to Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood's song Split Decision discuss the internal struggle of decision making and how it can affect the outcome of a situation. The first stanza refers to a man who is confident and sure of himself, while another man is indecisive and unsure. The second stanza reflects on the singer's own uncertainty in the real world and how it can affect their decisions. The chorus emphasizes the idea of a "fine line" between making a decision that will benefit or harm, and the resulting split decision that can occur from this uncertainty.
The song seems to suggest that decision making is not always clear-cut and can have repercussions that are hard to predict. The references to "one man puts the fire out, the other lights the fuse" and "one half has the symptom, the other has the cure" suggest that there are opposing forces at play and that the right decision can be difficult to discern. In the end, the song questions whether progress has been made or whether we are still lost.
The repetition of "It's a fine line, a very fine line" emphasizes the fragile balance between opposing forces in decision making. The use of the term "split decision" suggests that the outcome can be split, resulting in both positive and negative consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes I think he knows too much
He appears to be very knowledgeable to me
His confidence never needs a crutch
He is very confident and doesn't need anyone's support
One man is a real one, the other wants to hide
One of them is genuine, while the other is trying to conceal something
One man has his mind made up, the other can't decide
One of them is very clear about what he wants, while the other is confused and undecided
By the time there's nothing left to choose
After all the options are exhausted
One man puts the fire out, the other lights the fuse
One of them tries to calm things down, while the other fuels the situation
Sometimes I think I know too much
Sometimes I feel over-informed and overwhelmed
'Bout what goes on in the real world and such
About things happening in the actual world and similar things
Half of me is certain, the other isn't sure
One part of me has no doubt, while the other is unsure
One half has the symptom, the other has the cure
One part of me has the problem, while the other has the solution
It's a fine line
It's a very subtle and narrow difference
Split decision
A decision that is difficult to make and can go either way
Sometimes I think we've come too far
Sometimes I feel like we've made too much progress
If we're lost and if not where we are
If we've wandered off track, or if we're still on the right path
Half of us is easy, the other half is hard
One part of us finds it easy, while the other finds it difficult
Even though we do our best, we end up being scarred
Even after giving our all, we still get hurt
Oh, it's a fine line
It's a very delicate and precarious balance
It's a very fine line
It's an extremely subtle and narrow difference
Very, very fine line
A difference that is even more refined and precise
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Spirit Music Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOE WALSH, STEVE WINWOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind