Maxine
O'Neill Sharon Lyrics


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Creases in your white dress
Bruises on your bare skin
Looks like another fine mess
You've got yourself into

What's the matter with you?
Has the cat got your tongue?
Well if you don't like the beat
Then don't play with the drum

Maxine, you're not the only one
To take the whole world on
But no one's ever won
Maxine, Case 1352
A red and green tattoo
Eyes cold steel blue

On a rain-slicked avenue
Long shadows in the night
Take off your spike-heeled shoes
You've go to run for your life

Razor blade in your pocket
From an ex-marine
Makes you speed like a rocket
Ooh, it cuts so clean

Maxine, you're not the only one
To take the whole world on
But no one's ever won
Maxine, Case 1352
A red and green tattoo
Eyes cold steel blue

How come you're payin' for borrowed time
Starin' out into space?
Bad boys and cold comfort
And a smacked-up face

Maxine, you're not the only one
To take the whole world on
But no one's ever won
Maxine, Case 1352
A red and green tattoo
Eyes cold steel blue

Who's that walking, walking behind you, who's that




talking, talking about you
Who's that walking, walking with you Maxine…?

Overall Meaning

The song "Maxine" by O'Neill Sharon talks about a woman named Maxine who is in a messy situation with bruises on her bare skin and creases on her white dress. The lyrics suggest that Maxine is someone who possibly puts herself in dangerous situations and has had to fight her way out of trouble. The song reflects Maxine as a strong and independent woman who takes on the whole world, but never seems to win. It is also implied that Maxine may have a history with bad boys, and her current situation may have resulted from lingering consequences of her past.


The lyrics continue to describe Maxine as having a red and green tattoo and cold steel blue eyes. The song talks about Maxine carrying a razor blade in her pocket, which could show that she is always prepared for trouble. The lyrics suggest that Maxine is constantly looking over her shoulder and being followed, as there is a mention of someone walking behind and talking about her.


Overall, the song "Maxine" reflects on the struggles of women who try to maintain their independence and individuality while facing adversity and judgment from society.


Line by Line Meaning

Creases in your white dress
Your dress has wrinkles, maybe from being slept in or worn for too long.


Bruises on your bare skin
You have bruises on your skin, implying physical abuse.


Looks like another fine mess
You have found yourself in trouble yet again.


You've got yourself into
This trouble is of your own making.


What's the matter with you?
I'm concerned about you and your well-being.


Has the cat got your tongue?
Why are you not speaking up or communicating?


Well if you don't like the beat
If you don't enjoy the rhythm or pace of life,


Then don't play with the drum
then stop participating and find a new path.


Maxine, you're not the only one
You are not alone in your struggles.


To take the whole world on
To try to handle everything on your own.


But no one's ever won
No one has ever succeeded completely by themselves.


Maxine, Case 1352
Your name and identifying number, likely referring to a criminal record or court case.


A red and green tattoo
You have a specific tattoo that is visible and identifiable.


Eyes cold steel blue
Your eyes are described as being icy, possibly indicating detachment or a lack of emotion.


On a rain-slicked avenue
You are on a wet street, which can be dangerous and slippery.


Long shadows in the night
It is dark and late, with long shadows that can be interpreted as ominous or foreboding.


Take off your spike-heeled shoes
You need to remove your fancy shoes that may be difficult to run or escape in.


You've got to run for your life
You are in imminent danger and need to flee from your current situation.


Razor blade in your pocket
You are carrying a weapon for protection or aggression.


From an ex-marine
The weapon was obtained from someone with training or experience in using it.


Makes you speed like a rocket
The adrenaline or fear from your situation has caused you to move quickly and with purpose.


Ooh, it cuts so clean
The blade is sharp enough to cut easily and leave a lasting wound.


How come you're payin' for borrowed time
Why are you living as if each day is a gift, as if you don't have much time left?


Starin' out into space?
Why are you lost in thought or not fully present mentally?


Bad boys and cold comfort
You are seeking comfort from those who are likely to cause you more trouble.


And a smacked-up face
You have been physically assaulted and your face is swollen or bruised.


Who's that walking, walking behind you, who's that
Someone is following you, maybe with ill intentions.


talking, talking about you
They are discussing or gossiping about you.


Who's that walking, walking with you Maxine…?
Who is walking next to you, and are they really your friend or your enemy?




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SHARON O'NEILL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@peterhoare3219

Man, you should try living at Miami on the GC. Fucking meth/ice central. I don't leave without a large kitchen knife. Woteva happened to the happy days of chilled heroin addicts?

I don't touch hard drugs. Grass is my limit and I haven't done any since 29/12/21. Cause I had a $400 a week habit. I'd do up to 50 cones in a day

Because I'm HIGHLY addictive.

I stick to drinking SHIT loads of XXXX and Fireball whiskey.

You'd never know I'm 59 and told I look 36! 😂



@peterhoare3219

Bet it's VERY different to The Cross of the early 80s. I lived in Sydney and hung out there till daylight. 'Breakfast At Sweethearts', hung out in stripclubs, the old 'Gold Fish Bowl' pub full of, errrr, interesting people. The bikies all up near the fountain

You just watched your mouth, and showed respect

You DID NOT go off the main drag or you'd get mugged or worse

I fucking LOVED it 😛

Went there about 20yrs and it was sad to see it all is now 'Family Friendly' 🤮



@journeymantraveller3338

Creases in your white dress
Bruises on your bare skin
Looks like another fine mess
You've got yourself into
What's the matter with you?
Has the cat got your tongue?
Well if you don't like the beat
Then don't play with the drum

[Chorus]
Maxine, you're not the only one
To take the whole world on
No one's ever won
Maxine, case 1-3-5-2
A red and green tattoo
Eyes cold steel blue

On a rain-slicked avenue
Long shadows in the night
Take off your spike-heeled shoes
You've got to run for your life
Razor blade in your pocket
From an ex-marine
Makes you speed like a rocket
Ooh it cuts so clean

[Chorus]

How come you're payin' for borrowed time
Starin' out into space?
Bad boys and cold comfort
And a smacked-up face

[Chorus]

[Outro]
Who's that walking, walking behind you?
Who's that talking, talking about you?
Who's that walking, walking with you, Maxine?
Who's that walking, walking behind you?
Who's that talking, talking about you?
Who's that walking, walking with you, Maxine?



All comments from YouTube:

@ricksua3565

Grew up with this song . Timeless , still sounds as great and as original as when it first came out . Had the pleasure of meeting the lady herself at Avalon TV studios for a NZ Telethon . As gorgeous in real life as the posters . Yes , I was madly in love with her !! and no , I didn't tell her . Lol

@danni75100

Luv it !

@marleymcleay9228

I remember those Telethons, they were awesome.

@paulgabolinscy2502

You should have told her

@MrDtrain69

I think we all had a crush on Sharon O'Neill as young lads Rick. Great artist

@tfalani3861

Chicken😂

@kaylene2508

Thanks to Sharon O'Neill for highlighting the dangers of the lives of those who work in the sex industry. Too many vulnerable young females subjected to unreasonable conditions. We miss you and comfort you.

@265hemi7

Don't do the ' job ' , then or get involved with drugs ..

@spello8191

@@265hemi7 ignorant reply by someone who has no insight. Your comment does more damage. Best you walk along

@GroundHOG-2010

@@265hemi7 The job will always exist. The only real way to make it safer is make it legal with common sense laws for such an industry. When you make it illegal (note, the Nordic model of sex work still makes it illegal), conditions get worse, the sex workers have to deal with the police looking to throw them in jail, and the clients gain a lot of bargaining power over the sex worker. If you legalize it (like almost every Sex Worker organisation/union/collective advocates for), all of these problems are either significantly lessened or gotten rid of.


Also sex work is absolutely work.

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