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
Sweetness
Lloyd Cole and The Commotions Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But tell me true now
Have you ever had a care in the world?
Oh, tell me what's it all about?
You say - oh, you're so uptight
Well you'll never be so right
But I'd be surprised if you can muster up a single crocodile
You'll never be a hopeless child
Throw caution to the wind
Forgive yourself your sins
And don't you know you
Really are the sweetest thing
There isn't heart enough on you
Do you no longer care or feel that
You have nothing left to prove?
Oh, tell me that it isn't true
I wanted to tell you
That I used to admire you
Oh, you know really that I don't cared
No, I never cared for you
But I used to read about you
And you often would
Throw caution to the wind
And don't you know you
Really are the sweetest thing
In "Sweetness," Lloyd Cole and the Commotions explore themes of personal growth and internal struggle. The song addresses the idea that even those who appear to have everything together may still experience inner turmoil and uncertainty about their place in the world. The lyrics suggest that the singer is addressing someone who has a reputation for being "uptight" and always in control, but who may secretly be struggling with a sense of purpose and their place in the world.
The chorus is an affirmation that the subject is, in fact, a "sweet" and endearing person despite any perceived flaws or insecurities. The song encourages the listener to let down their guard and be themselves, regardless of the opinions of others or their own doubts.
Overall, "Sweetness" is a message of compassion and understanding for those who may be struggling with internal demons, wrapped up in a catchy and upbeat pop song that is sure to leave listeners feeling uplifted.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh you're a precious little pearl
The person being addressed is special and valuable, like a rare jewel.
But tell me true now
The singer is asking for honest information.
Have you ever had a care in the world?
The singer is questioning if the person has ever experienced any concerns or problems.
Oh, tell me what's it all about?
The artist is asking for an explanation or meaning for something.
You say - oh, you're so uptight
The person being addressed is perceived as anxious or tense.
Well you'll never be so right
The singer implies that there is more to the person than what they seem to be.
Oh you can cry yourself dry
The person being addressed may feel emotional but it might not have much effect.
But I'd be surprised if you can muster up a single crocodile
The artist suggests that the person may not be able to fake being upset or sad.
You'll never be a hopeless child
The artist is offering encouragement that the person will never be completely lost or hopeless.
Throw caution to the wind
The artist advises the person to take risks or not worry so much about the outcome.
Forgive yourself your sins
The singer recommends the person to let go of past mistakes or wrongdoings and move on.
And don't you know you
The artist reminds the person about something important or special.
Really are the sweetest thing
The person being addressed is kind or lovely in some way.
There isn't heart enough on you
The singer suggests that the person is not displaying enough emotion or genuine feeling.
Do you no longer care or feel that
The singer is seeking an explanation for why the person seems to be lacking in emotion.
You have nothing left to prove?
The artist questions if the person no longer feels the need to show their worth or ability.
Oh, tell me that it isn't true
The artist is asking for confirmation that their concern or suspicion is not correct.
I wanted to tell you
The singer hints that they have something to say that has been on their mind.
That I used to admire you
The singer confesses that they previously had respect or adoration for the person being addressed.
Oh, you know really that I don't cared
The artist clarifies that their previous admiration or interest in the person has faded or disappeared completely.
No, I never cared for you
The artist makes it clear that they were never genuinely concerned or interested in the person being addressed.
But I used to read about you
The artist admits that they were aware of the person's existence and may have followed their story or life in some way.
And you often would
The singer implies that the person being addressed had done something frequently or repeatedly in the past.
Throw caution to the wind
The artist advises the person to take risks or not worry so much about the outcome.
And don't you know you
The singer reminds the person about something important or special.
Really are the sweetest thing
The person being addressed is kind or lovely in some way.
Contributed by Adam P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Beauty Above All
Oh you're a precious little pearl
But tell me true now, have you ever had a care in the world?
So tell me what's it all about?
You say oh, you're so uptight
Well you'll never be so right
Oh you can cry yourself dry
But I'd be surprised if you can muster up a single crocodile
You'll never be the hopeless child
Throw caution to the wind
Forgive yourself your sins
And don't you know, you really are the sweetest thing
There isn't heart enough in you
Do you no longer care or feel that you have nothing left to prove?
Oh tell me that it isn't true
I wanted to tell you
I that I used to admire you
Oh you know you don't mean that I never cared
No I never cared for you
But I used to read about you and you offered me youth
Throw caution to the wind
And don't you know, you really are the sweetest thing
Epic bottle flips
Amazing song
Salvador Zermeño Vazquez
Its very cool, i remember Brian Eno "The Big Ship"
Calogero Castaldo
È bellissima
Al Sunshine
the lyrics I always hear are 'I used to read about you and you oftenly would throw caution to the wind', but apparently oftenly isn't a word
John Richmond.
'...and you often would..', is what I always heard.
Beauty Above All
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