Armatrading has mixed eclectic musical styles over decades of recording and performing. She has had several British hit singles, the biggest of which were "Love & Affection", "Me Myself I", and "Drop the Pilot". Her music is generally pop, with forays into rock, folk, jazz, and even reggae. Her popularity is primarily as an album artist.
She gained a new audience following her writing and performing "The Flight of the Wild Geese", which was used during the opening and end titles for the 1978 film The Wild Geese.
Armatrading first performed in a concert at Birmingham University for her brother at the age of about 16 (circa 1966). She only knew her own songs, but her brother asked her to perform something that would be familiar to the audience; she chose "The Sound of Silence".[9] She then performed her own songs around the local area with a friend from school, and played bass and rhythm guitar at local clubs.
Save Me
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
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Caught up in a whirling motion
Such a strange sensation
The currents uncertain
Like sails of a mill
I spin
Like wheels I move in a circle
While you stand on the bank
Throw me a lifeline
Save me
Intimacy and affection
Frozen
In this game of chance
I forfeit
Full hand of love
With no counters
Like a moth
With no flame
To persuade me
Like blood in the rain
Running thin
While you stand on the inside
Looking in
Save me
Inside looking in
Complete in yourself
Throw me a lifeline
Save me
Stand on the bank
Immune or evasive
Throw me a lifeline
Save me
The lyrics of Joan Armatrading's "Save Me" depict a person who is emotionally drowning, trying to hold onto life and seeking help from someone who, so far, remains distant and aloof. The singer is caught up in a "whirling motion" and feels a "strange sensation" that stems from the uncertain currents which sweep them away. They feel as if they are spinning like the sails of a mill, moving in circles, while someone else—possibly the one they are trying to reach—stands on the bank, seemingly immune or evasive. The person calls out for help from this other individual, begging them to throw a lifeline and save them.
The second verse describes the singer's sense of isolation and loneliness. They feel that they are alone in a "game of chance" that they cannot win, despite their "full hand of love" that has "no counters." The singer's attempts at reaching out for help are met with resistance and, in some ways, they feel like a "moth with no flame" to guide them. The imagery of blood running thin like rain conveys a sense of the singer's despair and the dire nature of their situation. Despite their best efforts, the person they are trying to reach stands on the inside, looking in, while the singer appeals to them to throw a lifeline, to save them and to give them a sense of hope.
Overall, the lyrics of "Save Me" illustrate a feeling of desperation and a yearning for support from another person. It is a song that explores themes of isolation, unrequited love, and the need for human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Sinking
Joan Armatrading is feeling overwhelmed by some situation that is causing her distress.
Caught up in a whirling motion
She feels like she's being tossed around by the chaos of this situation.
Such a strange sensation
She's experiencing emotions that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable to her.
The currents uncertain
She doesn't know what to expect of this situation and feels uneasy because of it.
Like sails of a mill
She feels like she's being powered by something outside of herself, like a windmill is powered by the wind.
I spin
She's caught in a cycle that feels never-ending and is causing her distress.
Like wheels I move in a circle
She's stuck in a repetitive pattern that's giving her no respite.
While you stand on the bank
Joan feels isolated and alone in her struggle, and someone she's looking to for support is on the sidelines.
Immune or evasive
The person who could help Joan is either deliberately avoiding the situation or is indifferent to it, which makes Joan feel worse.
Throw me a lifeline
Joan is asking for help or support from someone who she thinks could make a difference in her situation.
Save me
She repeats her plea for someone to help her make her situation better and bring her out of her current distress.
Intimacy and affection
Joan is looking for emotional connection and love but is currently not receiving it.
Frozen
She feels like she's stuck in the same emotional place and can't move forward without assistance.
In this game of chance
Joan perceives that she has no control over the situation that's causing her distress.
I forfeit
She's giving up on trying to overcome her situation alone.
Full hand of love
Joan feels she has a lot of love to give but is not receiving any in return.
With no counters
She feels like there's nothing she can do to get the person she wants to love her to pay attention to her feelings.
Like a moth
Joan feels drawn to someone she wants to love even when it's not reciprocated, much like a moth to a flame.
With no flame
The person she loves is not returning her affections or love.
To persuade me
Joan is acknowledging that she can't be convinced to love someone who doesn't love her back, but it's hard to break free from the longing she feels.
Like blood in the rain
Her love feels like it's being washed away and ignored like blood in the rain, which is impossible to recover.
Running thin
The situation is causing Joan emotional and mental distress, which is beginning to wear on her.
While you stand on the inside
The person who could help Joan is now on the inside of her emotional turmoil, looking out, so to speak.
Looking in
This person, again, is not engaged with Joan's emotions and is not providing the support she needs.
Inside looking in
Joan is isolated and alone in her feelings, looking out into the situation and not feeling like she has anyone to help her feel less distress.
Complete in yourself
The person who could help Joan is complete and whole within themselves and has no urgency to engage with Joan's emotions because they are emotionally or mentally fulfilled already.
Throw me a lifeline
Joan is repeating her plea for help, hoping someone will listen and respond positively to her emotions.
Save me
She's again repeating her plea for someone to help her alleviate the distress she's feeling.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOAN ANITA BARBARA ARMATRADING, PAM NESTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind