Call It A Loan
Jackson Browne David Lindley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You were sleeping in paradise
While the room was growing light
I was holding still with all my might
Oh what if it's true
What my heart says
Oh what'll I do
You were meant to play your part
In the design of a desperate heart
While you gave your love to me
I was betting I was getting it free
Oh if I'd only know
What your heart cost
Oh can we call it a loan
And a debt that I owe
On a bet that I lost
In the evening when you see my eyes
Looking back at you, no disguise
I'm not sure who you think you'll see
I'm just hoping you'll still know that it's me
Oh what if it's true
Better ask the man inside
Oh there seem to be two
One steals the love
The other one hides
Yeah can we call it a loan
Till I've paid in full for the seeds I've sown
Yeah can we say that I've grown in some way
That we may have yet to be shown
Oh if I'd only known
What your heart cost
Oh can we call it a loan
And a debt that I own
On a bet that I lost
The song "Call It A Loan" by Jackson Browne and David Lindley tells the story of a man who realizes the cost of love after he has already taken it for granted. In the morning, the man wakes up beside his lover who is sleeping peacefully, and he is struck with the realization that he might lose her. He questions what he will do if his heart is telling him that he loves her too much to let her go. A sense of despair sets in on him as he weighs up the cost of his heart in a relationship that he has always believed would be easy.
The man goes on to reflect on how his lover played a significant part in his life but she gave him her love for free. Meanwhile, he was betting on getting her love, and he ultimately lost. As the evening approaches, and he looks into her eyes, he hopes she will still recognize him. He realizes that there are two different versions of himself fighting for power. The first version is the one that loves her, while the second is the one that is afraid to admit it. The man ends with a plea for forgiveness and a request to his lover to consider it a loan until he can repay the debt.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning when I closed my eyes
As I woke up from my sleep, I was lost in my own thoughts.
You were sleeping in paradise
You were in a state of contentment and happiness, free from any worries or concerns.
While the room was growing light
As the sun rose, the room began to brighten up with light.
I was holding still with all my might
Despite the chaos around me, I was trying hard to hold on and keep everything together.
Oh what if it's true
I'm wondering if what I'm feeling is real or just an illusion.
What my heart says
I'm listening closely to my heart, as it is telling me something important.
Oh what'll I do
I'm unsure of what action to take in this situation.
What if this feeling becomes hard to part with
I'm worried that if I become attached to this feeling, it will be difficult to let go of it later on.
You were meant to play your part
Your role in this situation was predetermined, and you fulfilled it as expected.
In the design of a desperate heart
Your actions were part of a bigger plan, designed to help someone in need.
While you gave your love to me
You expressed your love and affection towards me.
I was betting I was getting it free
I assumed that your love was free to take, without having to give anything in return.
Oh if I'd only know
If only I had known beforehand.
What your heart cost
The true value of your love and affection.
Oh can we call it a loan
Can we consider it a temporary debt or loan that I owe you.
And a debt that I owe
Acknowledging the fact that I owe you something in return for your love.
On a bet that I lost
I made a wrong assumption, and now I have to pay the price for it.
In the evening when you see my eyes
Later in the day, when you look into my eyes.
Looking back at you, no disguise
Without any pretense or facade, I'm showing you my true self.
I'm not sure who you think you'll see
I'm unsure of what kind of image or perception you have of me.
I'm just hoping you'll still know that it's me
I'm praying that you'll recognize the truth and see me for who I really am.
Better ask the man inside
Referring to my inner self or conscience, I need to seek guidance from within myself.
Oh there seem to be two
There are conflicting thoughts and emotions within me.
One steals the love
One of these feelings is trying to rob me of the love and happiness I deserve.
The other one hides
The other feeling is hiding or repressing itself, afraid to come out into the open.
Yeah can we call it a loan
Can we still consider our relationship as a loan that I have yet to fully repay.
Till I've paid in full for the seeds I've sown
I still have a debt of love to pay, because of the actions I've taken in the past.
Yeah can we say that I've grown in some way
Can we acknowledge that I have matured and improved in some way since then.
That we may have yet to be shown
The full extent of my personal growth and development may not be apparent yet.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Fishel
I am deeply saddened by David Lindley's passing - his guitar, violin and other instruments helped to define much of Jackson Browne's early catalogue of great songs. He will be sorely missed - may he Rest In Peace
Thomas Senor
Me too. He was such a talent and his influence on so many Jackson Browne records was profound.
Thea Davis
Agreed. He was the one I looked up with so many songs, decades ago, to find out who was playing with Jackson. Now I find out he’s been on many more of my favorite songs by others —- Ronstadt, Leonard Cohen, Bonnie Raitt. ❤
Gary Dunham
Dave will be greatly missed. He was in a class by himself & I’m so grateful for the times I got to hear him perform and for having had the chance to meet him in Gibsons, BC & talk with him for a few minutes. Unparalleled musician and also a lovely human.
Jason Green
💔
face soaker
Couldn't have said it better. Thank you David for all that you've given to all of us.
Ray Flanagan
RIP David Lindley. This is one of my favorite videos on the internet. His playing was connected straight to his heart.
Liz Margolis
Pure musical magic between Jackson and David. May David rest easy.
Jackson Browne
Hello 👋 Liz margolis
How're you doing.
Thanks for this comment, I'm nothing without fans like you who appreciate my musical craftiness
It's nice meeting you here.
Joshua Colow
My Lord, how gorgeous he and Jackson sounded together. David Lindley was such an inspiration to me as a musician and a listener. The infinite beauty of music seemed to flow through him. He will be very missed.