Out of the question
Gilbert O’Sullivan Lyrics


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One minute you say you will
And the next you won't
One minute you want me
And the next you don't
You're turning me upside down
Giving me the run around
Don't think that I don't know
I do
Don't think that I won't go
You watch me
It isn't out of question

One minute you're kissing me
And the next you're not
One minute you remember
And the next you've forgot
I don´t like it one little bit
You're giving me the slip
Don't think that I don't know
I do
Don't think that I won't go
If you want me
It's really out of the question

Between us we could have conquered Everest
Sailed empty handed around the world
But no you couldn't wait
You had to go make the fatal mistake
Of leading me on
You silly girl, that was wrong

Don't think that I don't know
I do
Don't think that I won't go
You watch me
It isn't out of question

One minute you're full of life
And the next you're sad
One minute you're marvelous
And the next you're bad
I don't like it one little bit
You're giving me the slip
Don't think that I don't know
I do
Don't think that I won't go
If you want me
It's really out of the question

I'm doing my best and I don´t know why
I'´m giving her a call and there's no reply
She's getting me down till I can't get up
She's giving me hell and if that's not enough
She's breaking my heart nearly every day




Not only in pieces but every way
I'm sorry of course but the fault is hers

Overall Meaning

In Gilbert O'Sullivan's song Out Of The Question, the lyrics talk about the confusion caused by a confusing and fickle lover. The song opens with the contrasting statements made by the lover, where they say they will and then won't, want and then don't want, making the singer feel turned upside down and given the run-around. The singer reveals their awareness of the situation, acknowledging that they know what's going on and they may leave if the behavior continues. The second verse goes further to describe the actions of the lover, how they first remember and then forget, kiss, and then don't; this confuses the singer, who expresses their dissatisfaction with the behavior.


The third verse addresses the potential between the two, in which they could have accomplished great things if only the lover hadn't made the mistake of leading the singer on. This confirms that the singer was motivated to be with the lover but ultimately acknowledges that her actions drove them apart.


The song's chorus, "Don't think that I don't know, I do. Don't think that I won't go, you watch me. It isn't out of question," reinforces the singer's awareness and independence, stating that they are capable of leaving should the lover's behavior continue. The repetition of the phrase "don't think that" highlights the singer's certainty and confidence in their decision, as well as emphasizing the negative impact of the lover's inconsistency on the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

One minute you say you will
At one moment, you express your intention to do something


And the next you won't
But at the very next moment, you retract your decision


One minute you want me
At one moment, you desire my presence


And the next you don't
But at the very next moment, you lose interest in me


You're turning me upside down
Your inconsistent behavior is confusing me and causing me emotional turmoil


Giving me the run around
Your ambiguous and elusive responses are complicating things for me


Don't think that I don't know
Do not assume that I am oblivious to what is happening


I do
Because I am well aware


Don't think that I won't go
Do not think that I will not walk away from this situation


You watch me
Because I am willing to do so


It isn't out of question
Leaving this situation is definitely a plausible option


If you want me
If you desire my company


It's really out of the question
It is not possible for us to be together as a result of your inconsistent behavior


Between us we could have conquered Everest
Together, we were capable of achieving great things


Sailed empty handed around the world
Such as circumnavigating the globe with limited resources


But no you couldn't wait
However, you lacked the patience to see things through


You had to go make the fatal mistake
You chose to make a grave error


Of leading me on
By giving me false hope


You silly girl, that was wrong
Your childish and thoughtless behavior was inappropriate


One minute you're kissing me
At one moment, you are physically showing affection towards me


And the next you're not
But soon after, you cease showing any signs of intimacy


One minute you remember
At one moment, you recall important details about our relationship


And the next you've forgot
But in the next moment, you seem to have forgotten everything you remembered before


I don´t like it one little bit
I am not at all pleased by this behavior


You're giving me the slip
You are eluding me and making it difficult to figure out where we stand


One minute you're full of life
At one moment, you are lively and happy


And the next you're sad
But suddenly, you become melancholy


One minute you're marvelous
At one moment, you are wonderful and amazing


And the next you're bad
But at the very next moment, your behavior turns unpleasant and negative


I'm doing my best and I don´t know why
I am putting forth effort to make this relationship work, but I do not understand why


I'´m giving her a call and there's no reply
I am trying to reach out to my partner, but I am not receiving any response


She's getting me down till I can't get up
My partner's behavior is negatively affecting me to the point where I cannot handle it anymore


She's giving me hell and if that's not enough
My partner's actions are making my life miserable and unbearable


She's breaking my heart nearly every day
My partner's behavior is causing me emotional pain and distress on a daily basis


Not only in pieces but every way
This pain is not limited to just my heart, but also affects other aspects of my life


I'm sorry of course but the fault is hers
While I am apologetic, the root of the problem lies with my partner's inconsistent behavior




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GILBERT O'SULLIVAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Mario Canto y Voz

Que bonita cancion, en Mexico, se escucho en 1971 o 72 aprox..que dificil fue para Gilbert O'Sullivan cantar la parte donde dice:( I doing my best,and I don't know why.en adelante.),despues cuando cantaba en vivo,.en esta version del disco se oye muy bonito, y debio tener una tecnica de respiracion muy buena, para poder cantar esa parte de la cancion. por eso eres Grande Cantante Gilbert !!! esas son canciones dificiles, por eso quedan para siempre en nuestra mente..Gracias por subirla..

Mini Vegana

Yo nací en 1971 y me facina MUCHO esta canción porque yo soy así!!🤭😥💔❤

Ron Johnson

Brilliant composer. Why is he not treated properly by 'oldies' stations?! His Christmas song is one of the best but never gets played.

T J

Christmas song?

michpackfan

Very sad

Chas S

Ron Johnson: Because radio sucks ?

Clive Withers

I don't know...He was a really talented guy with loads of hits...very popular at the time...I've always loved his music...

Diane Thompson

Love this man's music. He really is up there with Paul McCartney and the other biggies. Really. Many of my teenage memories and even in my 20's (musically speaking) revolve around his music. This song is from his LP (which is the first I ever bought of his) which includes "I hope you'll stay", "Alone Again" and "That's Love"). I also love "We Will", "Ooh Wakka Doo Wakka Day" and "Claire". The list goes on. Also love the one "In my hole" where he likens himself to the sandy little mole in his hole. Way da go, Gilbert, I'm a huuuuuuuge fan!

Diane Thompson

@Thomas Barbey Yup! Gilbert in those days was the one to enjoy. His music was big for me in the good old days when music was worth far more than today's modern noise.

Thomas Barbey

I am proud to admit that I didn't buy Paul McCartney & Wings or Elton John's singles but I just had to buy Gilbert's 45 rpms in the early 70s. He had way less drama to talk about, in the papers. It was just about the songs.

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