One Way
Maddy Prior & The Girls Lyrics

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I try to get away
You hold me back
Guns blaze I’m ready for you
I’m a bomb attack
I took a bite you offered
And all the worms spilled out
It’s hard to keep on walking when you’re breathing upside down
We’re born we rise we die

Fall to the ground
You cut the peace away and I’m lost but you’re not found

Take me back to where I’ve been
Before it gets too dark
You will never put out the fire in my heart

I’ve been down a one way street baby
Talking to the voice in my head lately
Say what you say, say what you mean
Yeah you don’t say you say everything
I’ve been down a one way street baby yeah yeah

You say you want me back but you’re the last thing on my mind
You wanna be my friend but I don’t like your kind
My hands they start to tremble my bones they start to shake
I knew it from the start that you’d be my mistake
My eyes to see you clearly I'ma see if you what you are
You're just another papa on the road above my heart

Take me back to where I’ve been
Before it gets too dark
You will never put out the fire in my heart

I’ve been down a one way street baby
Talking to the voice in my head lately
Say what you say, say what you mean
Yeah you don’t say you say everything
I’ve been down a one way street baby yeah yeah

Take what you want
It’s all you’ll ever have
You pushed way too hard
There’s no turning back
Paint all your scars
It’s easy to see
Tried way too hard
Couldn’t break me yeahhhh

I’ve been down a one way street baby
Talking to the voice in my head lately
Say what you say, say what you mean
Yeah you don’t say you say everything
I’ve been down a one way street baby yeah yeah
I’ve been down (A one way street)
I’ve been down
I’ve been down (A one way street)
I’ve been down
I’ve been down (A one way street)
I’ve been down

I’ve been down (A one way street)
I’ve been down

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "One Way" by Maddy Prior & The Girls depict a tumultuous relationship where the singer expresses a struggle to break free from a toxic dynamic. The opening lines convey a sense of being held back by someone, possibly a significant other. The imagery of guns blazing and feeling like a bomb about to explode suggests intense emotions and a readiness to confront the situation head-on.

The reference to taking a bite and having worms spill out symbolizes a sense of betrayal or manipulation by the other person. The line "It’s hard to keep on walking when you’re breathing upside down" conveys a feeling of disorientation and being emotionally overwhelmed. The cycle of life and death is also mentioned, highlighting the inevitable ups and downs that come with existence.

The chorus expresses a desire to return to a sense of familiarity and light before darkness sets in. The refusal to let the fire in the heart be extinguished signifies a determination to hold onto passion and inner strength despite external challenges.

The second verse delves deeper into the conflicting feelings experienced in the relationship. The singer resists the other person's attempts to reconcile, recognizing that they are not compatible. The physical and emotional reactions described (trembling hands, shaking bones) underscore the adverse effects of the toxic connection on the singer.

The final verse shifts towards empowerment as the singer asserts their resilience and unwillingness to be swayed by the other person's tactics. The lyrics emphasize a sense of self-preservation and defiance in the face of manipulation. The repeated refrain of having been down a one-way street underscores the unidirectional nature of the singer's journey and their determination to break free from unhealthy patterns.

Line by Line Meaning

I try to get away
Attempting to escape from a situation or person.

You hold me back
Someone is hindering progress or freedom.

Guns blaze I’m ready for you
Prepared for confrontation or battle.

I’m a bomb attack
Feeling like a volatile, explosive force.

I took a bite you offered
Accepting something that turned out to be harmful.

And all the worms spilled out
Discovering unpleasant truths or consequences.

It’s hard to keep on walking when you’re breathing upside down
Difficulty in moving forward when facing challenges.

We’re born we rise we die
Life cycle from birth to death.

Fall to the ground
Facing defeat or hardship.

You cut the peace away and I’m lost but you’re not found
Causing disruption and confusion while remaining unaffected.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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