Over the duration of Squeeze's first hiatus, from approximately 1983 to 1985, Tilbrook wrote, recorded, and toured with Difford as an act called Difford & Tilbrook.
Since Squeeze's second breakup in 1999 (they reformed in 2007 for a series of shows, possibly not permanently), Glenn has pursued a solo career, often touring around the UK and U.S. in an unreliable RV, playing small venues to audiences of faithful and highly supportive fans. He currently has two solo albums, The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook and Transatlantic Ping-Pong. Tilbrook co-wrote some of the songs for his solo recordings with artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Chris Braide and Aimee Mann. In 2006, the documentary "Glenn Tilbrook: One for the Road" was released. The film follows Glenn on his November 2001 tour across America.
One Dark Moment
Glenn Tilbrook Lyrics
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You found yourself in a spot so low
It seemed there was nowhere else to go
I hope you're in a happier place
Where all the things that you couldn't say aren't worth saying
But I wish you could've said.
I think I'm seeing clearly but I know that I'm muddled
I don't know where to go and I don't know which way to turn
It's turning out to be a mess and I'm too old to learn.
And I don't know where to look, I don't know how to heal
Everything that's happening just doesn't seem real
I've tried all I can, perhaps it's not enough
I know it's been bad before but never this tough.
Should I start again?
Now that would be hard, the hand I've been dealt
Is from a fixed pack of cards facing one direction
The fickle finger of pain always pointing at me
And I am so ashamed.
And I don't like who I am, I don't like how I feel
I don't like where it's leading to, the whole thing's a bad deal
I've tried all I can, perhaps that's not enough
I'm getting out of here if you don't like it.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
But for what it's worth
There'll be no blame soon
I'm going to leave
I'm going to leave
The song "One Dark Moment" by Glenn Tilbrook is a poignant and emotional ballad that delves into the depths of depression and hopelessness. The opening lines describe a person who has found themselves in a difficult place, with no way out. The singer expresses hope that this person has moved on to a happier place since they could not express the things they needed to say. The regret in these lines is palpable as the singer feels that they could have saved this person if they had just spoken up.
The chorus, with the lines "Hands up, I need help, I'm in some trouble / I don't know where to go and I don't know which way to turn" reveals the singer in a vulnerable state. He admits to feeling confused and unable to find a way out of his problems. The feeling of being lost and alone is intensified with the line "It's turning out to be a mess and I'm too old to learn."
In the second verse, the singer continues to describe the pain he is feeling. He doesn't know how to heal or where to look for help. The lines "I don't like who I am, I don't like how I feel / I don't like where it's leading to, the whole thing's a bad deal" express a sense of hopelessness and resignation that is heartbreaking. The final lines of the song express a desire to leave, to escape from the pain, but with a sense of regret and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
You found yourself in a spot so low
You have found yourself in a very difficult situation
It seemed there was nowhere else to go
It felt like there was no way out
I hope you're in a happier place
I hope you have found a better situation
Where all the things that you couldn't say aren't worth saying
Where the things you wanted to say before are no longer relevant
But I wish you could've said.
But I wish you had the chance to say them
Hands up, I need help, I'm in some trouble
I admit that I need help, as I am facing a difficult situation
I think I'm seeing clearly but I know that I'm muddled
I feel like I know what to do, but I'm not completely sure
I don't know where to go and I don't know which way to turn
I don't have a clear direction on how to proceed
It's turning out to be a mess and I'm too old to learn.
Things are getting worse and worse, and I feel like it's too late to change
And I don't know where to look, I don't know how to heal
I don't know what to do to make things better
Everything that's happening just doesn't seem real
Everything feels surreal and hard to believe
I've tried all I can, perhaps it's not enough
I have done everything I can think of, but it doesn't seem to be working
I know it's been bad before but never this tough.
I've faced difficult situations before, but this one is especially challenging
Should I start again?
Should I just start over and try something new?
Now that would be hard, the hand I've been dealt
That would be difficult, given the situation I'm in
Is from a fixed pack of cards facing one direction
I feel like I have no control over the situation, like the cards have already been dealt
The fickle finger of pain always pointing at me
I feel like I am always being blamed or hurt by others
And I am so ashamed.
And I feel a lot of guilt and shame about the situation
And I don't like who I am, I don't like how I feel
I am really unhappy with myself and how I am handling everything
I don't like where it's leading to, the whole thing's a bad deal
I don't see a good outcome and I feel like the whole situation is very unfair
I've tried all I can, perhaps that's not enough
I feel like I have given it my all, but it might not be enough to fix everything
I'm getting out of here if you don't like it.
I'm leaving this situation if you have a problem with it
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
I apologize multiple times for my actions or the situation
But for what it's worth
But if it means anything
There'll be no blame soon
Everyone will stop blaming each other soon
I'm going to leave
I'm going to leave this situation
I'm going to leave
I'm going to leave this situation
Contributed by Gavin A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.