People Ain't No Good
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


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People just ain't no good
I think that's well understood
You can see it everywhere you look
People just ain't no good

We were married under cherry trees
Under blossom we made our vows
All the blossoms come sailing down
Through the streets and through the playgrounds
The sun would stream on the sheets
Woken by the morning bird
We'd buy the Sunday newspapers
And never read a single word

People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good

Seasons came, seasons went
The winter stripped the blossoms bare
A different tree now lines the streets
Shaking its fists in the air
The winter slammed us like a fist
The windows rattling in the gales
To which she drew the curtains
Made out of her wedding veils

People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good at all

To our love send a dozen white lilies
To our love send a coffin of wood
To our love let all the pink-eyed pigeons coo
That people they just ain't no good
To our love send back all the letters
To our love a valentine of blood
To our love let all the jilted lovers cry
That people they just ain't no good

It ain't that in their hearts they're bad
They can comfort you, some even try
They nurse you when you're ill of health
They bury you when you go and die
It ain't that in their hearts they're bad
They'd stick by you if they could
But that's just bullshit, baby
People just ain't no good

People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good at all

People they ain't no good




People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good at all

Overall Meaning

The song "People Ain't No Good" by Lloyd Cole explores the idea that although people may have good intentions, they are ultimately flawed in their actions and thus can ultimately bring pain and disappointment. The song starts with the statement that "people just ain't no good" and highlights that this is something that is widely understood. The lyrics provide examples of how people can try to create happy and fulfilling lives, but the transitory nature of life and the flaws in human behaviour ultimately lead to disappointment.


The second verse tells a story of a marriage that began beautifully, under cherry trees, with the promise of new beginnings. However, as time passes, the seasons change, and the relationship begins to falter. The once-beloved cherry trees lose their blossoms, replaced by a tree that appears to be angry and defiant. The winters bring storms that shake the windows, leading the woman in the relationship to draw the curtains made of her wedding veil. This imagery highlights how time changes everything and how the initial beauty of a relationship or a place can deteriorate, just like people.


The final verse talks about how although people can try to comfort and support one another, ultimately, they are flawed and unable to provide everlasting love. The idea that people in their hearts are not bad reinforces the point that it is human nature to try and do good, yet it is flawed. The song concludes with the repetition of the statement that "people they ain't no good," driving the point home that this is something that is widely understood and generally accepted.


Line by Line Meaning

People just ain't no good
Human beings are generally not trustworthy, kind, or reliable.


I think that's well understood
This is a widely accepted truth.


You can see it everywhere you look
Evidence of this is apparent in all aspects of life.


We were married under cherry trees
The artist and his partner were married in a beautiful setting.


Under blossom we made our vows
Their marriage began with hope and promise.


All the blossoms come sailing down
The transience of happiness and beauty is inevitable.


Through the streets and through the playgrounds
The world continues to move on despite individual struggles.


The sun would stream on the sheets
Their life together was once filled with warmth and light.


Woken by the morning bird
The artist and his partner had joyful moments together.


We'd buy the Sunday newspapers
Their relationship had routines and daily rituals that were once enjoyable.


And never read a single word
Over time, their interests and priorities changed.


Seasons came, seasons went
Time inevitably passes, bringing change with it.


The winter stripped the blossoms bare
Their lives were affected by hardships and adversity.


A different tree now lines the streets
The world around them has changed and moved on without them.


Shaking its fists in the air
The world seems to mock or challenge them.


The winter slammed us like a fist
The artist and his partner faced difficulties that were overwhelming and painful.


The windows rattling in the gales
The natural world can be unwelcoming and harsh.


To which she drew the curtains
His partner tried to shield them from the outside world.


Made out of her wedding veils
She used symbols of their lost love to protect them from the present.


To our love send a dozen white lilies
This signifies mourning and remembrance of their past happiness.


To our love send a coffin of wood
This symbolizes the death of their love and relationship.


To our love let all the pink-eyed pigeons coo
Even the birds and nature seem to know and agree that people are no good.


To our love send back all the letters
Returning the letters signifies the finality of their relationship.


To our love a valentine of blood
This disturbing image suggests the intense and destructive nature of their love.


To our love let all the jilted lovers cry
Their pain and heartbreak is reflected in others who have experienced similar loss.


It ain't that in their hearts they're bad
Humans have the capacity for goodness.


They can comfort you, some even try
People can offer support and kindness to others.


They nurse you when you're ill of health
People can care for others when they are vulnerable.


They bury you when you go and die
People provide comfort and support during periods of grief and loss.


But that's just bullshit, baby
Despite this goodness, the truth remains that people are ultimately unreliable and disappointing.


People they ain't no good
Humans are not trustworthy, kind, or reliable.


People they ain't no good at all
This is not just an individual problem, but a universal truth.




Contributed by Nora S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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