The song might have been written for Michael Bolton as they wrote "Murder My Heart" together, which was also produced by The JAM. Lady Gaga talked about her demo of the song and expressed herself over the involuntary release of the song on her Twitter page:
“ I wrote "second time around" recently for a current recording artist. I don't know why people insist on leaking my work.
Second Time Around
Lady GaGa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last time, I doubt we had this talk,
Boy, you were getting ready to leave.
I thought, baby you were done,
'Cause for a while, you could barely look at me.
This time, I thought that we'd be fine,
I tried, crossing out your words,
But baby you cannot forget the past, yeah.
(Oh, oh, oh babe)
Cannot forget the past, oh babe.
(Oh, oh, oh babe)
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think,
I'm so unemotional, I wonder if I'm even still in love, you see.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be.
So unemotional, boy, I can't forget the way you were with me.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
The second time around.
We tried, going back to Joe's,
That always was a favourite place.
Long rides, baby by the coast,
Do you remember where we stayed?
Last time, we were hanging out,
You were acting kind of, uh, strange.
Now it's, the second time around,
I'm sorry now it's me that feels this way, yeah.
(Oh, oh, oh babe)
(My heart just speaks sometimes)
It's me that feels this way, yeah babe.
(Oh, oh, oh babe)
I know that you are the one that is brave.
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think,
I'm so unemotional, I wonder if I'm even still in love, you see.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be.
So unemotional, boy, I can't forget the way you were with me.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
I'm not sure the best way to say this,
But I can't pretend I love you no more, babe.
This ferris wheel's got me crazy,
Maybe the second time around is not meant for us baby, yeah.
Not meant for us baby, oh yeah.
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think,
I'm so unemotional, I wonder if I'm even still in love, you see.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be.
So unemotional, boy, I can't forget the way you were with me.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think,
I'm so unemotional, I wonder if I'm even still in love, you see.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be.
So unemotional, boy, I can't forget the way you were with me.
I don't know what to tell you now,
It's always harder, the second time around.
The second time around.
The lyrics to Lady Gaga's song "Second Time Around" discuss the challenges of attempting to reconcile a relationship after experiencing challenges in the past. The song opens by referencing a previous talk, highlighting the memories of a past tumultuous relationship. The singer notes that the partner in question was "getting ready to leave" after struggling to look at the singer, and the singer thought that the relationship was over. This time, however, the singer thought things would be fine and even crossed out hurtful words said by the partner. However, the singer notes that it's difficult to forget the past and move on from it.
The chorus discusses how the singer and the partner are both unpredictable and unemotional. The singer wonders if they are even still in love, while also reflecting on the challenge of attempting to reconcile a relationship "the second time around." The second verse references trying to recreate old memories with the partner in question, such as hanging out at a favorite spot or taking long rides together. However, the partner is again "acting kind of strange," and the singer finds themselves sorry for feeling an emotional disconnect. The bridge sees the singer mentioning feeling crazy due to a metaphorical ride on a ferris wheel before ultimately concluding that the second shot at the relationship may not be meant to be.
Overall, "Second Time Around" describes the emotional turmoil and struggles involved with second chances, particularly in romantic relationships. It highlights the difficulty of forgetting past hurts and attempting to move forward, as well as the emotional dissonance that can exist between partners.
Line by Line Meaning
Last time, I doubt we had this talk,
I don't think we talked things through the last time we went through this.
Boy, you were getting ready to leave.
You were preparing to end things.
I thought, baby you were done,
I believed that you were finished with me.
'Cause for a while, you could barely look at me.
You avoided making eye contact with me for a while.
This time, I thought that we'd be fine,
I was optimistic that we could work things out this time.
That I'd forgive the things that you said.
I planned to let go of the hurtful comments you made.
I tried, crossing out your words,
I attempted to erase the memory of the things you said to me.
But baby you cannot forget the past, yeah.
However, I found it impossible to forget the past.
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think,
I can be hard to read, leaving you unsure of what to expect from me.
I'm so unemotional, I wonder if I'm even still in love, you see.
I seem distant and emotionless, making me question whether I still have feelings for you.
It's always harder, the second time around.
It's more challenging to try again with one another.
We tried, going back to Joe's,
We attempted to recreate our past happiness by going back to our favorite spot, Joe's.
That always was a favourite place.
We always enjoyed spending time there.
Long rides, baby, by the coast,
We took long drives by the ocean together, my dear.
Do you remember where we stayed?
Can you recall the place we stayed at last time?
You were acting kind of, uh, strange.
You were behaving in an unusual manner.
Now it's, the second time around,
Now, we find ourselves trying again for the second time.
I'm sorry now it's me that feels this way, yeah.
Unfortunately, it's now me who feels this way, I'm sorry to say.
I know that you are the one that is brave.
I recognize that you are the courageous one in this situation.
I'm not sure the best way to say this,
I'm struggling to find the words to express what I need to say.
But I can't pretend I love you no more, babe.
However, I can't fake my feelings for you any longer.
This ferris wheel's got me crazy,
This circus ride is making me feel quite insane.
Maybe the second time around is not meant for us baby, yeah.
Perhaps, trying again for the second time was not meant to be for us, my dear.
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be.
I'm as unpredictable as you used to be in our relationship.
So unemotional, boy, I can't forget the way you were with me.
I seem emotionless, but I can't forget the way you used to treat me.
The second time around.
The attempt to make it work for a second time.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@kavyabhardwaj2757
Oh, yeah, oh babe
Last time I thought we had this talk
Boy, you were getting ready to leave
I thought, baby, you were done
'Cause for a while, you could barely look at me
This time, I thought that we'd be fine
That I'd forget the things that you said
I tried crossing out your words,
But baby, you can not forget the past
Cannot forget the past
Oh, baby
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think
So unemotional; wonder if I'm even still in love, you see
I don't know what to tell you now
It's always harder the second time around
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be
So unemotional; boy, I can't forget the way you were with me
I don't know what to tell you now
It's always harder the second time around
The second time around
We tried going back to Joe's
That was always our favorite place
Long rides, baby, by the coast
Do you remember where we stayed?
Last time, we were hanging out
You were acting kind of estranged
Now it's the second time around
I'm sorry, now it's me that feels this way
(My heart just keeps on turning)
It's me that feels this way, babe
(and now you are the one that is hurting)
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think
So unemotional; wonder if I'm even still in love, you see
I don't know what to tell you now
It's always harder the second time around
I'm so unpredictable, just like you used to be
So unemotional; boy, I can't forget the way you were with me
I don't know what to tell you now
It's always harder the second time around
I'm not sure the best way to say this
But I can't pretend to love you no more, babe
This Ferris wheel's got me crazy
Maybe the second time around is not meant for us, baby
Not meant for us, baby
Oh yeah
I'm so unpredictable, you don't know what to think
So unemotional; wonder if I'm even still in love, you see
@sary_hussam
Best of lady gaga
@emergencytrip
11 years later and I still think it was criminal to not release this song
@receivegreatest6802
Just tragic ❗️
@michaelmani3853
I agree …and I co wrote and produced it:)
@natashamoore1990
I wish she would officially release this. This is one of my all time favourite Gaga songs.
@alliknowCF
me too!
@TheBoomerang32
natasha moore I don't think she released it because it sounds a lot like JoJo's- Get Out (leave).
@yatharthvohra6583
omg so so true
@arianahaxhia3343
natasha moore same
@AkafiAli
SAME!!