They were successful from the beginning, with their 1981 single "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" setting the stage for the breakthrough success of the album 'Pelican West' (1982). The single "Love Plus One" was even bigger than anything previous, and Haircut 100 seemed poised for stardom just as Heyward decided to seek a solo career. The remainder of the band tried to continue with the album 'Paint and Paint' (1984), with percussionist Mark Fox taking over Heyward's vocal duties, but they broke up soon after.
Although somewhat dismissed as a 'one hit wonder' due to the spread of blockbuster hit "Love Plus One", the band proved influential by the late 00s when new wave revivalist bands such as Vampire Weekend and No Kids emerged employing a similar style of preppy, afrobeat-like guitar pop.
So Tired
Haircut 100 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A memory left behind
Warm hand, cool look but no time...
Winsome lose some
Hung up on old flame
My heart depends on fire
So who am I to make demands on love?
"...relax and walk on by"
So tired
Beaten like a drum
So tired
Living life alone
So tired
Beaten like a drum
Kiss the right faces
And tap the party line
Short measure of cheap skate pleasure
Easier said than done
Sip the night water
But not too drunk to say
Well just who am I to ever hope to love you?
I'd turn and shy away
So tired
So tired
Beaten like a drum
So tired
Living life alone
So tired
Beaten like a drum
Once upon a bed
You said you loved me
Once upon a bed
Those eyes of blue
Now what am I supposed to do?
So tired -
So tired
Beaten like a drum
So tired
Live my life alone, so alone
Once upon a bed
You said you loved me
Once upon a bed
Those eyes of blue
And what am I to rhyme with 'you'?
Now I lie alone and so defenceless
Dream of love in sunny daze with you
So tired...
The lyrics to Haircut 100's "So Tired" convey a lonesome sense of longing and disillusionment. The singer of the song is reminiscing on a past relationship, where they were captivated by someone's warmth and charm, but left without enough time to fully explore what could have been between them. The song is infused with a bittersweet sentiment as the singer is unable to let go of their attachment to this old flame. Their heart still depends on the passion they once shared, but they aren't sure whether they have the right to demand love from someone who has moved on. Instead, they try to put on a brave face and "kiss the right faces" and "tap the party line" even though they are merely seeking a "short measure of cheap skate pleasure."
However, the singer's detachment from their expectations of love is not one of apathy but rather resignation. They sip the night water and try to keep their emotions in check, but they can't help but dream of what could have been with their former love. The song ends on a plaintive note, with the singer lying alone and defenseless, dreaming of a love in "sunny daze" with the one they couldn't have.
Overall, the lyrics to "So Tired" capture a somber feeling of regret and missed opportunities. The singer's emotions are conveyed through evocative imagery and a tender, melancholic melody that perfectly capture the core theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Scent on a postcard
A reminder of a feeling left behind.
A memory left behind
The recollection of a moment that has passed.
Warm hand, cool look but no time...
A touch that feels good but no chance to linger.
Winsome lose some
You may come out ahead or you may lose, but you still play the game.
Hung up on old flame
Still caught up on a past relationship.
My heart depends on fire
Strong emotions are necessary for love.
So who am I to make demands on love?
It is not up to us to dictate the course of love.
"...relax and walk on by"
Sometimes it's best not to engage.
So tired
Emotional exhaustion.
Beaten like a drum
Feeling as if life is constantly battering you.
Living life alone
Loneliness despite being surrounded by people.
Kiss the right faces
Putting on an insincere mask to fit in.
And tap the party line
Going along with the crowd despite not entirely agreeing.
Short measure of cheap skate pleasure
Enjoyment in the moment but not lasting satisfaction.
Easier said than done
It's simple in theory but more difficult in practice.
Sip the night water
Indulging in temporary pleasures.
But not too drunk to say
Still able to express oneself clearly despite being under the influence.
Well just who am I to ever hope to love you?
Questioning one's ability to be in a healthy relationship.
I'd turn and shy away
Retreating from something intimidating or uncomfortable.
Once upon a bed
Memories of intimacy.
You said you loved me
Words that once held great meaning.
Those eyes of blue
A specific feature that was once cherished.
Now what am I supposed to do?
Uncertainty and confusion in dealing with a past love.
Live my life alone, so alone
Being single and feeling isolated.
Now I lie alone and so defenceless
Feeling exposed and vulnerable.
Dream of love in sunny daze with you
Longing for a past love with idealized memories.
So tired...
An overall feeling of exhaustion.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Gasparutti
one of their best musically. Would have been a good song for Nick to have sung.
Anderson Clayton
Linda essa música,lembraças de Silvana Gouvea ano 95.
erwa90
Their most underrated song!
Michael Smith
Best single they made.
Moriyoshi Sato佐藤 守克
I wanna listen to this while riding on Locomotive train ( Orient-Express...could be possible )
Thomas Nicholls
I also associate this song with travelling by train!
Moriyoshi Sato佐藤 守克
I'm glad to hear your opinion. I feel the old mechanic remind me of pasted my good days
Mike Smith
best song they made.but never had a hit with it.
Mandy Judkins
Proud to own this
D Dc
So beautiful