14 Days
Nick Lowe and The Impossible Birds Lyrics
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Just broke the camel's back
One final fleck of down
Was enough to make it crack
It didn't hardly weigh a thing
But it might have been a ton
For the animal's all in
So I'm giving you my notice
And it works this way
In two weeks time you will notice I've been gone
For fourteen days
You don't know what it's like
To be left out in the cold
To feel all alone
Even when there's a party going on
Well it's been like this for me
For too, too long
So I won't even get my things
Lord it's down the road I'm going
So I'm giving you my notice
And it works this way
In two weeks time you will notice I've been gone
For fourteen days
So I'm giving you my notice
And it works this way
In two weeks time you will notice I've been gone
For fourteen days
The lyrics of "14 Days" by Nick Lowe and The Impossible Birds convey a message of someone who has reached their limit and is ready to move on from a situation that has become unbearable. The imagery of a single grain of sand or a fleck of down being the final straw for the camel's back represents that sometimes it's the smallest things that can trigger a much bigger reaction. The idea that something that seems insignificant can cause a domino effect of consequences is one that is relatable to many.
When the artist sings "You don't know what it's like, To be left out in the cold, To feel all alone, Even when there's a party going on," it showcases the feeling of dissociation from those around them even when they are present among others. The idea that they have been feeling like an outsider in their own situation for a long time adds to the intensity of the lyrics. The artist is clearly done with trying to make things better, and has decided to move on for good, giving a two week notice before leaving. The repetition of the line "For fourteen days" illustrates the finality of their decision, showing that they will be gone for good.
Overall, the lyrics of "14 Days" speak to the frustration that can come from feeling trapped in a situation that has become unbearable. The metaphor of the camel's back and the repetition of the phrase "For fourteen days" reinforce the idea that there comes a breaking point for everyone.
Line by Line Meaning
One single grain of sand
A small thing, like a single grain of sand, can cause a much bigger impact than expected.
Just broke the camel's back
The accumulation of many small things can eventually become too much to bear, like a final straw that breaks a camel's back.
One final fleck of down
Even the tiniest thing can affect the outcome of a situation.
Was enough to make it crack
This tiny thing caused a significant impact, like making something fragile break.
It didn't hardly weigh a thing
The thing that caused the impact was very small and seemingly insignificant.
But it might have been a ton
Despite its small size, the impact was significant enough to seem like a huge weight.
For the animal's all in
The animal, like a camel carrying a heavy load, is already carrying too much weight and can't handle any more.
Too much damage has been done
The effects of the small thing have caused significant damage and can't be undone.
So I'm giving you my notice
I am letting you know that I am leaving.
And it works this way
I am giving you fair warning before I leave.
In two weeks time you will notice I've been gone
I will be leaving in two weeks and you will realize I am no longer here.
You don't know what it's like
You have no idea what it feels like to be in my situation.
To be left out in the cold
To feel isolated and unwanted.
To feel all alone
To feel completely isolated and without support or companionship.
Even when there's a party going on
Even in situations where there are people around and things happening, I still feel alone.
Well it's been like this for me
I have been feeling this way for a long time.
For too, too long
It has been going on for too long and I can't take it anymore.
So I won't even get my things
I don't care enough to take my belongings with me when I leave.
Lord it's down the road I'm going
I am leaving and moving on to something new.
So I'm giving you my notice
I am letting you know that I am leaving.
And it works this way
I am giving you fair warning before I leave.
In two weeks time you will notice I've been gone
I will be leaving in two weeks and you will realize I am no longer here.
So I'm giving you my notice
I am letting you know that I am leaving.
And it works this way
I am giving you fair warning before I leave.
In two weeks time you will notice I've been gone
I will be leaving in two weeks and you will realize I am no longer here.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NICK LOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind