Dinner at Eight
Keane Lyrics


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No matter how strong
I'm gonna take you down
With one little stone
I'm gonna break you down
And see what you're worth
What you're really worth to me

Dinner at eight was okay
Before the toast full of gleams
It was great until those old magazines
Got us started up again
Actually it was probably me again

Why is it so
That I've always been the one who must go
That I've always been the one told to flee
When it fact you were the one long ago
Actually in the drifting white snow
You left me

So put up your fists and I'll put up mine
No running away from the scene of the crime
God's choosen a place
Somewhere near the end of the world
Somewhere near the end of our lives

But 'til then no, Daddy, don't be surprised
If I wanna see the tears in your eyes
Then I know it had to be long ago
Actually in the drifting white snow
You loved me

No matter how strong
I'm gonna take you down
With one little stone
I'm gonna break you down




And see what you're worth
What you're really worth to me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Keane’s “Dinner at Eight” suggest underlying feelings of frustration, anger, and even resentment by the singer towards their father who they seem to be in conflict with. The repeated line of “no matter how strong, I’m gonna take you down” indicates that the singer feels the need to prove themselves to their father and seeks to take away his strength and power over them. The lyrics suggest that the singer has a plan to bring down their father, “with one little stone, I’m gonna break you down, and see what you’re really worth to me,” reflecting their attitude towards their father’s value to them.


The song goes on to talk about a dinner that seemed to be going well, but was then derailed by old magazines that reminded the singer of a past conflict. The lyrics highlight the fact that the singer may have been the cause of past conflicts and that they might be repeating the same behavior. Towards the end of the song, the singer seems to acknowledge that there is an underlying desire for reconciliation despite their anger and resentment. They talk about wanting to see tears in their father’s eyes, suggesting a need for emotional connection and the possibility of forgiveness. The line “you loved me” repeated a few times towards the end of the song indicates that the singer is willing to acknowledge the past love and relationship that they have with their father and the desire to repair it.


Line by Line Meaning

No matter how strong
Despite your strength,


I'm gonna take you down
I will bring you to your knees


With one little stone
Just one small action


I'm gonna break you down
Will shatter your confidence


And see what you're worth
To reveal your true value


What you're really worth to me
Your worth to me personally


Dinner at eight was okay
The evening was going fine


Before the toast full of gleams
Until someone's speech turned sentimental


It was great until those old magazines
The atmosphere shifted once old memories were brought up


Got us started up again
Caused us to argue once more


Actually it was probably me again
Acknowledging personal blame for the argument


Why is it so
Why must it always be the case


That I've always been the one who must go
That I am the one who is forced to leave


That I've always been the one told to flee
That I am told to run away from you


When it fact you were the one long ago
When in reality, you were the first to leave


Actually in the drifting white snow
In the winter weather conditions


You left me
You abandoned me


So put up your fists and I'll put up mine
We will physically fight each other


No running away from the scene of the crime
We can't ignore the issue at hand


God's choosen a place
Divine intervention has selected a location


Somewhere near the end of the world
At the edge of civilization


Somewhere near the end of our lives
When we approach the end of our existence


But 'til then no, Daddy, don't be surprised
Until then, don't be shocked or dismayed, father


If I wanna see the tears in your eyes
If I want to witness your emotional response


Then I know it had to be long ago
I am aware that the issue started in the past


Actually in the drifting white snow
Specifically in the snowy winter climate


You loved me
You used to have affection for me


No matter how strong
Despite your strength,


I'm gonna take you down
I will bring you to your knees


With one little stone
Just one small action


I'm gonna break you down
Will shatter your confidence


And see what you're worth
To reveal your true value


What you're really worth to me
Your worth to me personally




Contributed by Hudson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

ZOE

Esta belleza de canción es de Rufus , pero este bellísimo cover es de Keane . La canción es hermosísima, como de épocas antiguas. La perfecta voz de Tom solo la hace más hermosa de lo que ya es!

claudette mousseau

Soy una furiosa admiradora de Rufus, y esta versión de su canción es bellísima. De hecho, la voz de Tom Chaplin remite mucho a Rufus en esta interpretación. Excelente

zak cavill

one of my favourite bands covering one of my favourite songs, brilliant.

Pablo Flores

Keane THE BEST!!

Julie S

“That I’ve always been the one that must go.” Dads out there, that sh*t hurts & is true; it’s not just a song.

Javier Colodrón Denis

My 2-days-old babygirl Julia loves listening to this song and Tom Chaplin voice... thanks!!!

Jordan Gonzales

Eres grande Tom, eres grande... ❤️

luna Marcela

Amó esta canción.me lleva a lugares que pensé Ya no existían en mis recuerdos. .i love keane

Stranger

Pensaba que era solo yo...Keane es de lo mejor♥️♥️♥️

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