Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer, 21 May 1948) is a British-born singer-so… Read Full Bio ↴Leo Sayer (born Gerard Hugh Sayer, 21 May 1948) is a British-born singer-songwriter musician, and entertainer (now an Australian citizen and resident) whose singing career has spanned four decades.
Sayer launched his career in the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, and became a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s. His first seven hit singles in the United Kingdom all reached the Top 10 – a feat first registered by his first manager, Adam Faith. His songs have been sung by other notable artists, including Cliff Richard ("Dreamin'").

Where Did We Go Wrong
Leo Sayer Lyrics

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Please, tell me what's on your mind
I can see the tears but I don't know why
You're crying
It it me or is it you

Is it real or just a mood
Well I know you're sad but what are you
Tryin' to prove

When you say that you can't go on

And you feel like you don't belong
You've got nobody to lean upon
It seems we've come so far but we just can't
Get along

Where did we go wrong
Where did we go wrong
Where did we go wrong
Where did we go wrong

I've been workin' -- never coming home at all
I left you chained to the kitchen busy walkin'
Up the wall
Now I don't want nobody else

And I'm not thinking about myself
When I say that I'll do anything to stop you
Saying that you don't belong
And what we had is just upped and gone

Please please try -- try to be strong
Oh I apologize -- I didn't mean to lead you on
Where did we go wrong
Well you know there ain't nobody else

I'd be a fool trying to please myself
If I thought that there could be anybody else
Well you'll see now as time goes on
I'll be the one that you can lean upon

We'll dry out the tears and never have to say

That we were wrong
Ooh babe we'll get it on

Overall Meaning

Leo Sayer's song "Where Did We Go Wrong" is a lamentation that voices the struggles of a couple who find themselves at a point of no return in their relationship. The song's lyrics showcase the frustration of one partner who is seeking an explanation for the current state of affairs while at the same time struggling to piece things back together with their significant other. In the opening verse, the singer pleads with their partner to open up and share their thoughts while also being confused as to why they are crying. This shows that the disconnect between the two people has widened so much that the singer can't even identify the reason behind their partner's tears.

As the song progresses, the singer conveys that both partners are in emotional turmoil, and neither knows where things went wrong. The lyrics suggest a sense of hopelessness, and the couple seems to struggle to find common ground. The situation has become so dire that the singer is working so hard that they are hardly ever at home, leaving their partner chained to the kitchen and walking up the wall with frustration. The singer acknowledges that they were wrong and they apologize for the same, with a promise to make things right.

The song's final verse brings the sense of healing and reconciliation, and it portrays a positive outlook for their future. The singer promises to be the one that their partner can lean on and acknowledges that they are foolish to think that they could find someone else. The final lines of the song, "We'll dry out the tears and never have to say that we were wrong, ooh babe we'll get it on," give a sense of optimism and a hopeful understanding that they can work things out together.

Line by Line Meaning

Please, tell me what's on your mind
Leo Sayer requests that his partner open up about their emotions

I can see the tears but I don't know why You're crying
Leo Sayer acknowledges that his partner is upset, but he is unsure about the reason for their tears

It it me or is it you Is it real or just a mood Well I know you're sad but what are you Tryin' to prove
Leo Sayer wonders if the issue in their relationship is actually real or if it is just a temporary feeling his partner is going through

When you say that you can't go on And you feel like you don't belong You've got nobody to lean upon It seems we've come so far but we just can't Get along
Leo Sayer recognizes that his partner is struggling and feels alone, despite the progress they have made in their relationship

Where did we go wrong Where did we go wrong Where did we go wrong Where did we go wrong
Leo Sayer questions where their relationship took a turn for the worse

I've been workin' -- never coming home at all I left you chained to the kitchen busy walkin' Up the wall
Leo Sayer admits he has been neglectful in their relationship, causing his partner to feel trapped and frustrated

Now I don't want nobody else And I'm not thinking about myself When I say that I'll do anything to stop you Saying that you don't belong And what we had is just upped and gone
Leo Sayer promises to work on the relationship and put in effort to prevent a breakup

Please please try -- try to be strong Oh I apologize -- I didn't mean to lead you on Where did we go wrong
Leo Sayer asks his partner to be strong and not give up on their relationship. He apologizes for leading them on if that is how they feel

Well you know there ain't nobody else I'd be a fool trying to please myself If I thought that there could be anybody else Well you'll see now as time goes on I'll be the one that you can lean upon
Leo Sayer emphasizes that there is no one else for him, and he is committed to making things work. He will be a support for his partner as they move forward

We'll dry out the tears and never have to say That we were wrong Ooh babe we'll get it on
Leo Sayer hopes that they can work past their issues and never have to reflect back on where they went wrong. He wants to move on together and strengthen their relationship

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SAYER, TARNEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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