Thin Ice
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics


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You must be walking
On shaky ground
You're always jumping
At every sound

You've been a hustler for all your days
A real motherfucker in every way
When you're a loser you're all alone
So you made up for everything
That you thought you'd lost
But you paid a cost
Hey ...

You can live your life for so long
But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall
You can live your life for so long
But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall

You're always running
With every game
First you're pushin' coke and then you're hoin' dames
You say you can't give nothing better back

Than you got back at home
Well I tell you that's bullshit brother
And that's a heavy load

It's an illusion when you think you're the boss
Oh no no no
'Cause you really ain't got a thing
But the crumbs you're tossed

But don't you feel the frost
Hey ...

You can live your life for so long
But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall
You can live your life for so long
But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall

You can live your life for so long
But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall




You can live your life for so long
But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall

Overall Meaning

The song "Thin Ice" by Lenny Kravitz is a cautionary tale about the consequences of living a life of hustling and excess, warning that those who live recklessly will eventually fall through the thin ice they walk on. The first verse suggests that the subject of the song is constantly on edge, jumping at every sound because they are walking on shaky ground. This is likely a metaphor for the precarious nature of their lifestyle, which involves hustling and engaging in risky behavior. The line "You've been a hustler for all your days / A real mother****er in every way" reinforces this idea that the subject is living a life of ruthless self-interest.


The second verse explores the consequences of this lifestyle, suggesting that it leads to isolation and a sense of emptiness. The line "When you're a loser you're all alone / So you made up for everything / That you thought you'd lost" suggests that the subject of the song is trying to make up for some perceived lack in their life by embracing a life of excess. However, this comes at a cost, as the subject ultimately falls through the thin ice they have been walking on. The line "You can live your life for so long / But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall" serves as a warning to listeners not to follow the same path.


Overall, "Thin Ice" is a commentary on the dangers of living a life of excess and the ultimate consequences that come with it. By using the metaphor of thin ice, Kravitz emphasizes the idea that those who engage in problematic behavior are not invincible and will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions.


Line by Line Meaning

You must be walking
It appears as though you are stepping on unstable terrain.


On shaky ground
The ground beneath you is unpredictable and unsteady.


You're always jumping
You react with sudden movements whenever you hear a noise.


At every sound
You are easily startled by even the slightest sounds around you.


You've been a hustler for all your days
You have been involved in shady activities throughout your entire life.


A real motherfucker in every way
You have gained a reputation as being ruthless and unscrupulous.


When you're a loser you're all alone
Being a failure means you are isolated and without support.


So you made up for everything
You compensated for your perceived inadequacies in every way possible.


That you thought you'd lost
Things that you believed you had lost were added to this compensation.


But you paid a cost
There was a price to pay for your attempts to make up for your deficiencies.


Hey ...
An interjection meant to draw attention or express emphasis.


You can live your life for so long
You can exist for an extended period.


But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall
However, if you attempt to proceed in a risky situation, you will inevitably fail.


You're always running
You are in constant motion.


With every game
You are involved in every scheme or plan you encounter.


First you're pushin' coke and then you're hoin' dames
You have engaged in various illegal activities, including drug dealing and prostitution.


You say you can't give nothing better back
You claim that you cannot provide anything more than what you have received.


Than you got back at home
You assert that what you have brought home is all you have to offer.


Well I tell you that's bullshit brother
I declare that what you are saying is false.


And that's a heavy load
This falsehood is a significant burden on those who believe it.


It's an illusion when you think you're the boss
Believing that you have power over others is nothing but a deception.


Oh no no no
An expression of disbelief or disappointment.


'Cause you really ain't got a thing
You possess nothing of value or significance.


But the crumbs you're tossed
All you receive are meager and insignificant leftovers.


But don't you feel the frost
However, you can sense the chill of the harsh reality that you face.


Hey ...
An interjection meant to draw attention or express emphasis.


You can live your life for so long
You can exist for an extended period.


But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall
However, if you attempt to proceed in a risky situation, you will inevitably fail.


You can live your life for so long
You can exist for an extended period.


But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall
However, if you attempt to proceed in a risky situation, you will inevitably fail.


You can live your life for so long
You can exist for an extended period.


But when you're walking on thin ice you will fall
However, if you attempt to proceed in a risky situation, you will inevitably fail.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CRAIG DAVID ROSS, LENNY KRAVITZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Paela Peterson


on American Woman

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