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
Patience
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well that's when my patience went away
She took her bags but she left all her clothes
She took her keys and left me out in the cold
Wearing a plastic coat
And the pressures of life through lack of patience
I get the pressures of her
She wakes me up in the morning through squeaking in my dreams
She took her bags but she left all her clothes
She took her keys and left me out in the cold
All because of patience
I get the pressures of life through lack of patience
I get the pressures of her
She beat me up and left me out in the pouring rain
Without no keys, without no reason to go back again
She left me empty-handed, she left me empty-hearted
Not no money, not nothing but the blues
All because of patience
I get the pressures of life through lack of patience
I get the pressures of her
She said the one thing that she needs is happiness
I don't believe that she's happy 'til she sees that I'm in distress
No, all because of patience
I get the pressures of life through lack of patience
I get the pressures of her
And I swoon
The lyrics of "Patience" by Lloyd Cole and The Commotions describe a relationship that is falling apart due to the singer's lack of patience. The song is an up-tempo pop song with catchy guitar riffs and a prominent bassline. The lyrics are full of clever wordplay and metaphors that convey the singer's frustration and sense of loss.
The song begins with the singer lamenting the loss of his lover early in the morning. He notes that his patience wore thin, and she left him alone, taking all her belongings with her. The singer also notes that he is wearing a plastic coat, hinting at his vulnerability and susceptibility to the pressures of life. He describes his lover, Patience, as a girl he hates to love but cannot help loving.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "all because of patience," highlighting the central theme of the song. The singer continues to describe his lover's influence on his life and notes how she wakes him up in the morning through "squeaking in my dreams." He acknowledges that he understands the pressures of life but admits that he struggles with the pressures of his lover.
Overall, "Patience" is a bittersweet song about a relationship that has reached its breaking point due to the singer's impatience. The song's lyrics are full of clever wordplay and metaphors, and the catchy melody makes it a memorable pop song.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning, just by the break of day
At the beginning of the daybreak
Well that's when my patience went away
At that time, I lost my tolerance
She took her bags but she left all her clothes
She departed taking her bags, but wardrobe was abandoned
She took her keys and left me out in the cold
Keys were requisitioned, thus left in bleakness
Wearing a plastic coat
Clothed in a coat made of plastic material
And the pressures of life through lack of patience
Stressful life; caused by scarce forbearance
I get the pressures of her
I feel the pressure of her actions
Patience is a girl that I hate to love the way I do, but I do
I have purely conflicting emotions towards the girl named Patience
She wakes me up in the morning through squeaking in my dreams
I'm roused by irritating dreams in the morning
She beat me up and left me out in the pouring rain
Subjected to assault and deserted in heavy rain
Without no keys, without no reason to go back again
No keys or intent to return
She left me empty-handed, she left me empty-hearted
Left without belongings or feelings
Not no money, not nothing but the blues
Possessing only sorrows, with no assets or money
She said the one thing that she needs is happiness
Claimed happiness is a top demand
I don't believe that she's happy 'til she sees that I'm in distress
Disagree that she's happy without causing me misery
No, all because of patience
All negative events were caused by the titular Patience
And I swoon
Succumb to her despite her flaws
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BLAIR COWAN, LLOYD COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@luist6853
I was trying to find one music that I did not like in this album. It is impossible !
early in the morning, just by the break of day
well that's when my patience went away
she took her bags but she left all her clothes
she took her keys and left me out in the cold
wearing a plastic coat
and the pressures of life through lack of patience
i get the pressures of her
patience is a girl that i hate to love the way i do, but i do
she wakes me up in the morning through squeaking in my dreams
she took her bags but she left all her clothes
she took her keys and left me out in the cold
all because of patience
i get the pressures of life through lack of patience
i get the pressures of her
she beat me up and left me out in the pouring rain
without no keys, without no reason to go back again
she left me empty-handed, she left me empty-hearted
not no money, not nothing but the blues
all because of patience
i get the pressures of life through lack of patience
i get the pressures of her
she said the one thing that she needs is happiness
i don't believe that she's happy 'til she sees that i'm in distress
no, all because of patience
i get the pressures of life through lack of patience
i get the pressures of her
and i swoon
@topquark6919
Takes me back to a time, when I had not a care in the world! Halcyon days, indeed.
@geralddavies3191
My best mates favourite track . I lost him this year .Miss you mate !
@garypritchett8136
My mate wasn’t a LC fan, but he was my best mate, my best man and my football buddie for years. 18 months or so now, still expect him to turn up at the door!, I feel your loss.
@limaniner34
Most underrated song from the album
@maddierosemusic
Lloyd Cole, totally underrated. Saw him at the 9:30 Club in DC in '91 or so.
Such good music.
@declankelly51
Saw them Dublin 1981.....one of the great albums.
@gretapolverari3274
1981? Are you sure?
@MerafilmSE
I think he meant 1985
@MELLYBOY58
@@MerafilmSE Yep ...saw them at Notts and at the bowl along with Big Audio,Dr and the Medics,The Waterboys and Simple Minds 😁😁✌✌🇬🇧🇬🇧
@antoniocarreira9743
Very good, thanks for posting.
This particular theme reminds me a lot Prefab Sprout.
And I say this in a good way, because I love them both.