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
Down On Mission Street
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you tire of chasing all the women around
Will you never be contented with your life ?
Will you always be the one who won't think twice ?
When you go down on your knees, you're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard , down on mission street
God only knows how you can hurt her
When you know that's what you do, how does it feel to be so cruel ?
Will you never be contented with your life ?
Will you always be the one who won't look back ?
When you go down on your knees, you're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
It feels like up, down on mission street
Julie said your eyes are blue, your lips are cold as stone
She picked you up and you put her down
And messed her place around
Will you never be contented with your life ?
Will you always be the one who won't think twice?
When you go down on your knees, you're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard , down on mission street
When you go down on your knees, you're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
It feels like up, down on mission street
The lyrics of "Down on Mission Street" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions deal with the themes of restlessness and dissatisfaction with one's life. The singer is addressing someone who is always chasing after women and is unable to find contentment. The question is asked if this person will ever be satisfied with their life and if they will always be the one who won't think twice about their actions.
The chorus refers to the person going down on their knees and being hard to please. This could be interpreted as a sexual reference, with the implication that the person is never satisfied. The line "It feels like up, down on mission street" suggests that while the person may feel like they are in control, they are actually going nowhere and are stuck in a cycle of dissatisfaction.
The verse about Julie implies that this person has a tendency to use and discard people, leaving a trail of hurt in their wake. The final chorus repeats the earlier sentiments about being hard to please, suggesting that the person is unlikely to change their ways.
Overall, the lyrics of "Down on Mission Street" convey a sense of frustration with someone who seems incapable of finding happiness or fulfilling relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Some say that you may soon be leaving town
There are rumors that you might leave town soon
Do you tire of chasing all the women around
Do you get tired of pursuing women all the time
Will you never be contented with your life ?
Will you always be dissatisfied with your life?
Will you always be the one who won't think twice ?
Will you always act without considering the consequences?
When you go down on your knees, you're so hard to please
You're very difficult to satisfy
When you go down on your knees
When you beg for forgiveness
You're so hard , down on mission street
You're stubborn and unyielding on Mission Street
God only knows how you can hurt her
It's a mystery how you could hurt her so much
When you know that's what you do, how does it feel to be so cruel ?
When you're aware of how cruel you're being, how does it make you feel?
Will you always be the one who won't look back ?
Will you always move forward without reflecting on the past?
Julie said your eyes are blue, your lips are cold as stone
Julie commented that your eyes are blue and your lips are unfeeling
She picked you up and you put her down
She showed interest in you, but you rejected her
And messed her place around
You vandalized her property
When you go down on your knees, you're so hard to please
You're very demanding when you ask for forgiveness
It feels like up, down on mission street
It's emotionally exhausting on Mission Street
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daniel Kuczynski
Here are these wonderful and poetic lyrics :
Some say that you may soon be leaving town
Do you tire of chasing all the women around ?
Will you never be contented with your life ?
Will you always be the one who won't think twice ?
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard , down on Mission Street
God only knows how you can hurt her
When you know that's what you do
How does it feel to be so cruel ?
Will you never be contented with your life de ?
Will you always be the one who won't look back ?
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
It feels like up, down on Mission Street
Julie said your eyes are blue
Your lips are cold as stone
She picked you up and you put her down
And messed her place around
Will you…
SamBroute83
Everything is a collector in this tracks, the song, the memories, the atmosphere of this time and even the cover of this album, damn time flies so fast...
kukla306
This video and all Lloyds songs are brilliant, I've loved them when they first came out..Rattlesnake album is a bubble bath and wine album..no song should be skipped....brilliant
David Pegg
F real
Quinn W. Johnson
Couldn't agree more! Sadly l only got to see Lloyd for his first solo album and not with the Great Commotions, 😥😖
Robert Winderling
I still love the songs. I saw the band in Frankfurt Music Hall. During the 5th song the keyboardplayer collapsed and the concert was over… sad..
Luís T
Few times in your life you have the privilege to listen to an album where music e lyrics were combined with this perfection. I so glad I am one of them. Thanks Mr. Cole & The Commotions.
BODLAW1
"Will you never be contented with your lies? Will you always be the one who won't look back?" Lloyd is great at subtly taking shots.
KEITH-LEE CASTLE
The perfect pop album really. Great tunes for the kids and lots of literary content for the adults.
Bit like a Carry On film for the well read. It is genius though and an album I play a lot.
Why weren’t they huge? Don’t think they wanted to be...and that has to be applauded.
Quinn W. Johnson
Exactly! Like Prefab Sprout to an extent? Both Brilliant and sorely missed...
Daniel Kuczynski
Here are these wonderful and poetic lyrics :
Some say that you may soon be leaving town
Do you tire of chasing all the women around ?
Will you never be contented with your life ?
Will you always be the one who won't think twice ?
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard , down on Mission Street
God only knows how you can hurt her
When you know that's what you do
How does it feel to be so cruel ?
Will you never be contented with your life de ?
Will you always be the one who won't look back ?
When you go down on your knees
You're so hard to please
When you go down on your knees
It feels like up, down on Mission Street
Julie said your eyes are blue
Your lips are cold as stone
She picked you up and you put her down
And messed her place around
Will you…