Reckless
James Reyne Lyrics


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Meet me down by the jetty landing
Where the pontoons bump and spray
All the others reading, standing
As the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay

Hear the captain blow his whistle
So long she's been away
I miss our early morning wrestle
Not a very happy way to start the day

[Bridge]
She don't like that kind of behaviour
She don't like that kind of behaviour

[Chorus]
So throw down your guns
Don't be so Reckless
Throw down guns
Don't be so

Feel like Scott of the Antarctic
Base camp too far away
A Russian sun beneath the Artic
Burke and Wills and camels
Initials in the tree

[Bridge]

[Chorus]

[Bridge]





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of James Reyne's song "Reckless" depict a man yearning for his lover who has left him. He urges her to meet him at the jetty landing where they used to spend time together, but she appears offended by his behavior and the struggles in their relationship. The man reminisces about their intimate moments and desires to relive them again. The arrival of the ferry sets his mind into a state of longing and desperation for his lover. He feels like a lone explorer in a hostile environment, reminiscent of Scott of the Antarctic or Burke and Wills, searching for his partner in a wilderness of emotions.


The song is characterized by the use of strong imagery and metaphors to convey the singer's emotions. The use of the words "guns" and "reckless" in the chorus suggest the idea of violence and agitation in the relationship, while the bridge echoes his partner's disapproval of his behavior. The singer's comparison of himself to pioneering Antarctic explorers and his feeling of being stranded reflects his desperation in seeking a way back to his lover.


Line by Line Meaning

Meet me down by the jetty landing
Come and meet me at the dock where the boats are tied up


Where the pontoons bump and spray
Where the floating docks hit against the waves and water sprays up


All the others reading, standing
Everyone else is reading or standing around


As the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay
Watching the ferry from Manly come towards Circular Quay


Hear the captain blow his whistle
Hear the captain sound the signal on his whistle


So long she's been away
It's been a long time since she's been around


I miss our early morning wrestle
I miss our physical contact in the morning


Not a very happy way to start the day
It's not a good start to the day when we are not together


She don't like that kind of behaviour
She doesn't approve of that type of action


She don't like that kind of behaviour
She doesn't approve of that type of action


So throw down your guns
Give up your aggression or animosity towards me


Don't be so Reckless
Don't be so careless with your actions or words towards me


Throw down guns
Surrender your hostility or defensiveness towards me


Don't be so
Don't continue behaving in such a negative way towards me


Feel like Scott of the Antarctic
I feel isolated and alone like Scott during his expedition


Base camp too far away
I am far from where I feel comfortable and secure


A Russian sun beneath the Artic
The sun in the north pole region looks Russian due to the way it appears


Burke and Wills and camels
Referring to Burke and Wills' ill-fated expedition in Australia where they used camels as transportation


Initials in the tree
Carved initials in a tree to mark a memory or moment


She don't like that kind of behaviour
She doesn't approve of that type of action


She don't like that kind of behaviour
She doesn't approve of that type of action


So throw down your guns
Give up your aggression or animosity towards me


Don't be so Reckless
Don't be so careless with your actions or words towards me


Throw down guns
Surrender your hostility or defensiveness towards me


Don't be so
Don't continue behaving in such a negative way towards me




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GILLES BOUSQUET

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tonycooper7080

No comments for this video? Well, fuck me! Besides being one of the greatest love songs of all time, it's an Aussie song to boot!


9 years later, I'm still kicking myself for not attending this concert in 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne, especially seeing I was back living in Melbourne!


The concert featured a classic range of Australian artists (in alphabetical order Nick Barker, Joe Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, Diesel, James Reyne and Mark Seymour) performing in an intimate environment and I bloody didn't go!


I recently tracked down the CD/DVD titled "Best Of Acoustic Volume 1" and have it in my collection, but the tears still flow every time I listen to/watch it, not only because of the great music but also because I was such a bloody fool, missing history in the making


I've seen both James and Mark perform live in recent times, and loved it (even if it sometimes adds to the frustration of missing the Forum concert. To quote "Countdown" which James and Mark appeared on many times with their respective bands Australian Crawl and Hunters & Collectors, "Do Yourself A Favour" and also watch the other videos from this excellent live event!



All comments from YouTube:

@luketaiaroa9486

Love this version, angie just smashed it too. Ledgends

@billiecassidy2719

Awesome cuzz!

@BlueBeeMCMLXI

Great voice and presence. He can cut through like no-one else. Paul's song in good hands.

@ironbark1100

James is a great talent , & unpretentious guy who'll chat with anyone, regardless of their status ..

@waynefawkes1556

Respect where your feet touch, not hard to do.

@peregrinemccauley5010

This is one of the by best songs ever written . I wonder if the lads from Led Zep , would agree .

@BetoKaosZDejavu

Realy this song is the mostly bealtful best make in 50 years!!! ...And ever make me cry but i`m survive for more and more sad nights in my life. PEACE AND LOVE FRIENDS

@melindajaneelliott9715

❀

@annekerr1729

Brilliant, such talent β€οΈπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ΊπŸ˜Ž

@tonycooper7080

No comments for this video? Well, fuck me! Besides being one of the greatest love songs of all time, it's an Aussie song to boot!


9 years later, I'm still kicking myself for not attending this concert in 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne, especially seeing I was back living in Melbourne!


The concert featured a classic range of Australian artists (in alphabetical order Nick Barker, Joe Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, Diesel, James Reyne and Mark Seymour) performing in an intimate environment and I bloody didn't go!


I recently tracked down the CD/DVD titled "Best Of Acoustic Volume 1" and have it in my collection, but the tears still flow every time I listen to/watch it, not only because of the great music but also because I was such a bloody fool, missing history in the making


I've seen both James and Mark perform live in recent times, and loved it (even if it sometimes adds to the frustration of missing the Forum concert. To quote "Countdown" which James and Mark appeared on many times with their respective bands Australian Crawl and Hunters & Collectors, "Do Yourself A Favour" and also watch the other videos from this excellent live event!

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