In 2002, Halstead released his debut solo album, Sleeping on Roads. A second solo album, Oh! Mighty Engine was released on July 29, 2008. Halstead's third solo album, 'Palindrome Hunches', was released on September 11, 2012.
Loose Change
Neil Halstead Lyrics
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I don′t know what I should take
Yeah, I must have packed this case a hundred times before
But I never knew what I should take
Loose change, put it in a corner
Yeah, put it on the side
Still be there in a month or two
I'll see you in a little while
Yeah, I hope I do
Don't worry if you don′t hear nothing for a time,
It′s just my way, hey
Hey
Blue skies, put it in your pocket
Keep it for a while
Like the beautiful face, you've never seen before,
And probably never will again
White snow,
Well, I don′t know
Yeah, you know I never do
It's the same old shit with a different slant,
Yeah, hey, that′s the way to roll
I'll see you in a little while
Yeah, I hope I do
Don′t worry if you don't hear nothing for a time,
It's just my way
I′ll see you in a little while
Yeah, I hope I do
Don′t worry if you don't hear nothing for a time,
It′s just my way, hey
Hey
I'll see you in a little while
Yeah, I hope I do
Don′t worry if you don't hear nothing for a time,
It′s just my way
I'll see you in a little while
Yeah, I hope I do
Don't worry if you don′t hear nothing for a time,
It′s just my way, hey
Hey
The lyrics to Neil Halstead's song "Loose Change" convey a sense of uncertainty and detachment. The singer is preparing for a trip, unsure of what to bring and feeling a repeated sense of indecision. The line "I must have packed this case a hundred times before, but I never knew what I should take" suggests a lack of clarity and a feeling of being unprepared. The mention of loose change being put in a corner and still being there in a month or a year signifies a stagnant state, perhaps reflecting the singer's own feeling of being stuck or unchanged.
The second verse introduces a sense of longing and nostalgia. The mention of blue skies being put in one's pocket, like a treasured possession, suggests a desire to hold onto happiness and beauty. The reference to a beautiful face never seen before and probably never seen again hints at the fleeting nature of joy and the passing of time.
The final repeated lines emphasize the singer's distant and detached nature. They assure the listener not to worry if there is silence for a period of time, as it is just the singer's way of being. This reinforces the theme of uncertainty and detachment that runs throughout the song. The repetition of "I'll see you in a little while, yeah, I hope I do" echoes the singer's longing for connection and the unknown nature of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Think I'll pack a coat in case it's cold
I am unsure of what I should bring, so I'll bring a coat just in case the weather is cold
I don't know what I should take
I am uncertain about what items I should bring along
Yeah, I must have packed this case a hundred times before
I have packed this suitcase countless times in the past
But I never knew what I should take
However, I have never been sure of what items I should bring
Loose change, put it in a corner
I have some spare change, so I'll just leave it in a corner
Yeah, put it on the side
Yes, I'll place it to the side
Still be there in a month or two
It will still remain there in a month or two
Yeah, still be there in a year
Yes, it will still be there even after a year
I'll see you in a little while
I will meet you again after a short period of time
Yeah, I hope I do
Yes, I genuinely hope that I will see you
Don't worry if you don't hear nothing for a time,
Do not fret if you do not receive any news from me for a while
It's just my way, hey
It is simply my manner or style, hey
Hey
Hey
Blue skies, put it in your pocket
Keep the idea of blue skies and positive outlook within your reach
Keep it for a while
Hold onto this optimism for some time
Like the beautiful face, you've never seen before,
Similar to encountering a stunning face that is entirely new to you
And probably never will again
And most likely, you will never come across it again
White snow, Well, I don't know
As for white snow, well, I am uncertain about it
Yeah, you know I never do
Yes, you know that I am always unsure
It's the same old shit with a different slant,
It's the usual unpleasant situation presented in a slightly different way
Yeah, hey, that's the way to roll
Yes, hey, that's just how things are sometimes
Writer(s): Neil Halstead
Contributed by Bentley D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.