Ain't it a Drag
Jeff Lynne's ELO Lyrics


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How many times can you go through the thing
Just when you think it's cool, the shit hits the fan

Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shown our way
Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, oh what a drag babe
You're telling me, you're telling me

I took the last pane out just to see the pretty view
Try to hold on to the edge, to see what you would do

Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shown our way
Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, Oh what a drag babe
You're telling me, you're telling me

You go your way, and I go mine
We'll never meet, until the next time

Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shown our way
Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, oh what a drag babe
You're telling me, you're telling me

(ain't it a drag, ain't it a drag)
Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)




Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)
Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jeff Lynne's ELO's song Ain't It a Drag touch on themes of monotony, frustration, and distance. The first two lines ask the rhetorical question of how many times can a person go through the same thing before it becomes unbearable. The following line further emphasizes the theme of frustration by stating that just when one thinks things are cool, something goes wrong. The repetition of the phrase "ain't it a drag babe" throughout the song further emphasizes the frustration and monotony felt by the singer.


The second verse mentions taking the last pane out to see a pretty view, perhaps indicating a desire for change and something different. However, the singer is left hanging on the edge, wondering what the other person will do. The chorus repeats the same themes of frustration and sameness, with the added emphasis of the sun never shining their way.


The final verse introduces the idea of distances, with the singer and the other person going different ways and never meeting until the next time. This further emphasizes the idea of frustration and longing for something different.


Overall, "Ain't It a Drag" is a song that explores feelings of monotony and distance, with the repetition of the phrase "ain't it a drag babe" emphasizing the frustration felt by the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

How many times can you go through the thing
How many times can you endure a difficult or unpleasant situation?


Just when you think it's cool, the shit hits the fan
Just when you think things are going smoothly, something terrible happens


Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shown our way
Each day brings the same opportunities, but we may not always be able to take advantage of them


Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, oh what a drag babe
Isn't it frustrating and overwhelming?


You're telling me, you're telling me
I understand what you're saying


I took the last pane out just to see the pretty view
I made sacrifices to gain perspective or a different outlook


Try to hold on to the edge, to see what you would do
I wanted to see how you would react in a precarious situation


You go your way, and I go mine
We will live our lives separately


We'll never meet, until the next time
We will not interact until we cross paths again


(ain't it a drag, ain't it a drag)
Isn't it a frustrating and overwhelming situation?


Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)
Isn't it frustrating and overwhelming?


Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)
Isn't it frustrating and overwhelming?


Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)
Isn't it frustrating and overwhelming?




Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@AntonioFerreira-ve3mq

How many times can you go through the pain
Just when you think it's cool, the shit hits the fan

Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shone our way
Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, oh what a drag babe
You're telling me, you're telling me

I took the last plane out just to see the pretty view
Try to hold on to the edge, to see what you would do

Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shone our way
Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, oh what a drag babe
You're telling me, you're telling me

You go your way, and I go mine
We'll never meet, until the next time

Tomorrow brings the same old sun, but never shone our way
Ain't it a drag babe, ain't it a drag babe, oh what a drag babe
You're telling me, you're telling me

(Ain't it a drag, ain't it a drag)
Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)
Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)
Ain't it a drag (ain't it a drag)



All comments from YouTube:

@funforkidsforever

How can so many brilliant songs come from one mind? After all these years still doing it.

@MisterTalkingMachine

The animation is fantastic. I think this should have more views.

@WhiskeyRichard.

You can see the fingerprints for chrissake

@scooteringblackpool8249

Went to see Jeff and his band April 2016 at Leeds Arena, absolutely fantastic. As good as ever. Love this track too, the drummer's giving a career-best performance. Brilliant.

@amylovendaal9732

As long as you can listen to Jeff Lynne as a composer, a musician and a singer, your life will never be a drag !

@michaelnorman3393

Alone in the Universe, simply a fantastic album! Thanks Jeff!

@VinceScaglione

Michael Norman.............Yes . . . but "From Out Of Nowhere" simply blows this one off the charts!

@MYS-rn5jl

I love Jeff's genius from the first song I heard. It happened about 30 years ago. Today I am 56 years old, and, as then, in my youth, I am waiting for Jeff's new masterpieces. And they will, believe me. I feel :) M.Yu.Selivanov, Russia, Khabarovsk, Far East.

@CueBallRacer

I love Jeff singing voice

@ShawnValsean

I hear that bit from the way life's meant to be! Love this album can't wait for it

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