Signed to Polydor in 1984, the band was known for combining Clark's twangy guitar style with Cole's low-key singing style. Particularly notable were Cole's literary lyrics (he was studying Philosophy at the University of Glasgow when the band started) and name-dropping the likes of Norman Mailer, Arthur Lee, Grace Kelly, Truman Capote, Eva Marie Saint, Simone de Beauvoir, and Nancy Sinatra.
For a period in the mid 1980s the band was one of the most successful indie acts in Britain, vying with The Smiths. The band broke up in 1989 amid reports of personality clashes between members, and Cole moved to New York City to pursue a successful solo career. The band reformed in 2004 to perform a 20th anniversary tour of the UK and Ireland.
Band members
Lloyd Cole (born 31 January 1961) - vocals, guitar, lyricist
Blair Cowan (born 1960?) - keyboards
Lawrence Donegan (born 13 July 1961) - bass guitar
Neil Clark (born 3 July 1955) - guitar
Stephen Irvine (born 16 December 1959) - drums
Cut Me Down
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been hung upside down
So you can hear me breathing
Do you think it`s easy
I've been aching all through summer
I've been aching just to fall
Cut me down
I've been billy name and filled my pockets with sand
I have wasted all my summer
I've been aching just to fall
Cut me down
All she had too much class to mention
Were the things he never knew
All the things she left unspoken
Were the things he needed
So I'm not hurting anymore
I've been bought and sold and I've been hung upside down
Can you hear me breathing do you think it`s easy
I may find it hard to follow
I've been aching just to fall
Cut me down
In the song "Cut Me Down" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions, the lyrics seem to be discussing a feeling of being controlled and compromised in order to please someone else. The song begins by stating "I've been bought and sold / I've been hung upside down / So you can hear me breathing / Do you think it's easy" which reflects a feeling of being trapped and unable to move freely due to the expectations of others. The line "cut me down" could be interpreted to mean a desire to be released from this pressure and control.
This feeling of being trapped and compromising oneself continues throughout the song with lines like "I've seen everything I hang upon your pretty frown" which suggests that the singer is willing to sacrifice their own desires and happiness in order to please someone else. However, there is also a sense of frustration and a desire to break free from this dynamic. The lines "All she had too much class to mention / Were the things he never knew / All the things she left unspoken / Were the things he needed" suggest that there are important things left unsaid and unfulfilled in this relationship, leading to a sense of disconnect.
Overall, "Cut Me Down" is a song that explores the complexities of relationships and the ways in which we can feel trapped or compromised in order to please others. The lyrics suggest a desire for freedom and authenticity, even if it means breaking away from what is expected or comfortable.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been bought and sold
I have been traded like a commodity
I've been hung upside down
I have been put in a situation where I am helpless
So you can hear me breathing
You have put me in a position where I am vulnerable
Do you think it`s easy
You underestimate the difficulty of my situation
I've been aching all through summer
I have been experiencing pain for a long period of time
I've been aching just to fall
I have been hoping for the release of death
Cut me down
Free me from my pain and suffering
I've been billy name and filled my pockets with sand
I have lived a meaningless life and accumulated nothing of value
I've seen everything I hang upon your pretty frown
I have sacrificed everything for someone who has been unappreciative or uninterested in my efforts
All she had too much class to mention
She was too polite or dignified to express her dissatisfaction
Were the things he never knew
The other party was unaware of the things they could have done to meet her needs
All the things she left unspoken
The other party failed to address the issues that were causing problems
Were the things he needed
The other party was not meeting his needs
So I'm not hurting anymore
I am no longer in pain or experiencing suffering
I've been bought and sold and I've been hung upside down
I have experienced a repeated cycle of suffering and helplessness
Can you hear me breathing do you think it`s easy
I am still struggling and need help or support
I may find it hard to follow
I may not be able to overcome the obstacles in my path
I've been aching just to fall
I would welcome death as a release from my pain
Cut me down
Please help me end my suffering
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind