Never
Joplyn Lyrics
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The days turned into nights
Now there's no looking back
Is this what it feels like
I wish that I had known
Now my love's overgrown
An older day
'Cause I've left you behind
And you never liked her anyway
And she never had a thing to say
And you never planned to go astray
But you did, but you did, but you did
And you never liked her anyway
And she never had a thing to say
And you never planned to go astray
But you did, but you did, but you did
This time being alone
Just feels so much like home
A place without
The lies you always told
And you never liked her anyway
And she never had a thing to say
And you never planned to go astray
But you did, but you did, but you did
And you never liked her anyway
And she never had a thing to say
And you never planned to go astray
But you did, but you did, but you did
Told me that with you
I'd see the world
But I think your eyes
Were always somewhere else
Brushing over me
Brushing over me
Brushing over me
Brushing over me
Brushing over me
Brushing over me
Like I knew you would
Like you always did
And you never liked her anyway
And she never had a thing to say
And you never planned to go astray
But you did, but you did, but you did
And you never liked her anyway
And she never had a thing to say
And you never planned to go astray
But you did, but you did, but you did
The lyrics to Janis Joplin's song "Never" seem to be about a failed relationship, in which the singer (or Joplin herself) is reflecting on what went wrong. The lyrics suggest that the relationship was always destined to fail, as the time was never right and the days turned into nights without anything changing. The singer seems regretful, wishing that they had known that their love was going to overgrow and leave the other person behind. They feel comfortable being alone now that the relationship is over, as it's better than being with someone who told lies.
The second half of the song is directed towards the former partner who was unfaithful. The lyrics suggest that the person never liked the other woman anyway and didn't plan to cheat, but did so anyways. The betrayal is hinted at by the line "your eyes were always somewhere else." In the chorus, Joplin repeats the refrain "And you never liked her anyway / And she never had a thing to say / And you never planned to go astray / But you did, but you did, but you did," driving home the point of betrayal and the feeling of being wronged.
Overall, the lyrics of "Never" express regret, anger, and frustration at a relationship gone wrong. It's a common theme in popular music, but Joplin's raw, powerful voice and passionate delivery elevate the song beyond a simple pop ballad.
Line by Line Meaning
The time was never right
The timing was never perfect for us.
The days turned into nights
Time has passed so quickly.
Now there's no looking back
I have moved on and cannot undo the past.
Is this what it feels like
I can't believe this is how it has turned out.
I wish that I had known
If only I had realized earlier what was happening.
Now my love's overgrown
My love for you has gotten out of control and it's time for me to let go.
An older day
Things were different back then.
'Cause I've left you behind
I have moved on from you and left you in the past.
And you never liked her anyway
You never approved of the person I was with.
And she never had a thing to say
She wasn't very talkative or expressive.
And you never planned to go astray
You never intended to cheat on me.
But you did, but you did, but you did
But you still ended up cheating on me anyway.
This time being alone
Being alone this time around feels different.
Just feels so much like home
Being alone feels comfortable and familiar.
A place without
This place is now without something that used to be there.
The lies you always told
The lies that you repeatedly told me.
Told me that with you
You promised me that if I was with you, I would experience great things.
I'd see the world
I would have a chance to explore and see new things with you.
But I think your eyes
But your attention and focus were always somewhere else.
Were always somewhere else
You were never fully present with me.
Brushing over me
Your words and actions were just passing by me.
Like I knew you would
As I suspected, you were not fully committed to us.
Like you always did
As you have done time and time again.
Contributed by Dominic M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.