39 Down
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


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Cole

I was laughing and crying
My eyes were sore
39 down
One lucky strike more
And I didn't have a care
I had eleven thousand words
I could roll them off just like dice
There were movers and shakers
on Wannermaker Place
I was holding my own
Between the dives and the steakhouses
and furthest from my mind
Was the thought of my refection
Coming back from the machine
which said
Everything is gone
No more carry on
I was bound to fall
I had it all
I half way through the song
And not a stone unturned
True life revelations
for the at least concerned
And I said to my wife
Do you think I've said too much?
She said
Well, isn't that what your job is?
Then when I got into furniture
It was curtains for me
But I can blame it on Upper Street
and my Ambrose Heal
and still, furthest from my mind
Was the thought of my refection
Coming back from the machine
which said
Everything is gone
No more carry on
I was bound to fall
I had it all
I was laughing and crying
My eyes were sore
39 down
One lucky strike more
And I didn't have a care
I had eleven thousand words




I could roll them off just like dice
Just like dice

Overall Meaning

The song "39 Down" by Lloyd Cole is a reflection on the fleeting nature of success and the potential for unexpected loss. Cole describes a moment of personal triumph, where he was "holding [his] own" among "movers and shakers," carrying "eleven thousand words" with ease. At the pinnacle of his success, he momentarily forgets about the possibility of failure, but is abruptly reminded of his mortality when he receives the news that "everything is gone" and he has "no more carry on." Despite his success, his words, and his accomplishments, he is bound to fall.


The lyrics are rich with literary and cultural references, suggesting that Cole is a man who is well-read and well-versed in the arts. The line "True life revelations for the at least concerned" is a reference to the 18th century British novel "Tristram Shandy" by Laurence Sterne, where the singer berates his audience for not being interested enough in his story. The mention of Ambrose Heal is a reference to a prominent British furniture designer and manufacturer of the early 20th century, and Upper Street is a prominent thoroughfare in London.


The chorus "39 down, one lucky strike more" is a reference to the game of tenpin bowling, where knocking down 39 pins with two rolls of the ball leaves one pin to knock down with the third and final roll. The phrase "I had it all" is reminiscent of the famous line from Citizen Kane, "Rosebud," as both expressions suggest that the singer had everything and yet something was still missing.


Line by Line Meaning

I was laughing and crying
I had contrasting emotions of happiness and sadness


My eyes were sore
My eyes were tired from experiencing intense emotions


39 down
Refers to a crossword puzzle clue


One lucky strike more
Refers to successfully solving a difficult crossword puzzle clue


And I didn't have a care
I was carefree and unconcerned about anything


I had eleven thousand words
I had an extensive vocabulary


I could roll them off just like dice
I could easily use my vocabulary to communicate effectively


There were movers and shakers on Wannermaker Place
There were important people and events happening nearby


I was holding my own
I was doing well and maintaining my position


Between the dives and the steakhouses
Refers to the different types of establishments nearby


and furthest from my mind
I wasn't thinking about


Was the thought of my reflection coming back from the machine
I wasn't concerned with how I looked or appeared to others


which said everything is gone
Refers to losing all my possessions or possessions being taken away


No more carry on
There's nothing left to continue with or to pursue


I was bound to fall
I was destined to fail or experience a setback


I had it all
I was successful and had everything going for me


I half way through the song
Refers to the progress of the song being halfway done


And not a stone unturned
I left no detail or opportunity unexplored


True life revelations for the at least concerned
The song contains insightful and honest revelations for those interested


And I said to my wife, Do you think I've said too much?
I asked my spouse if I had shared too many personal details


She said, Well, isn't that what your job is?
My spouse affirmed that it was my job to share personal details


Then when I got into furniture it was curtains for me
Refers to becoming unsuccessful in a new endeavor


But I can blame it on Upper Street and my Ambrose Heal
I can attribute my failure to external factors


And still, furthest from my mind
I wasn't thinking about despite other things happening


Was the thought of my reflection coming back from the machine
I wasn't concerned with how I looked or appeared to others


which said
Refers to the reflection or the machine


Everything is gone
All my possessions or opportunities are lost


No more carry on
There's nothing left to continue with or to pursue


I was bound to fall
I was destined to fail or experience a setback


I had it all
I was successful and had everything going for me


I was laughing and crying
I had contrasting emotions of happiness and sadness


My eyes were sore
My eyes were tired from experiencing intense emotions


39 down
Refers to a crossword puzzle clue


One lucky strike more
Refers to successfully solving a difficult crossword puzzle clue


And I didn't have a care
I was carefree and unconcerned about anything


I had eleven thousand words
I had an extensive vocabulary


I could roll them off just like dice
I could easily use my vocabulary to communicate effectively




Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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