Certain Someone
On a Sunday Lyrics
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Read your stars, day by day
If I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
Oh, live your life, go your way
And I said oh no
Live your life, stake your claim
Wash your clothes, change your name
If I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
Ooh, ah, you're too twisted by half, but that's far enough
So live your life, build a home
And fill it full of flowers and a bottle of old cologne
Yeah, if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
Except perhaps a certain someone
Except perhaps a certain someone
Except perhaps a certain someone
Just to be shown another way out
You're too twisted by half, but that's far enough
Oh, I'd be careful living in a block of flats
And I never take the lift to the top
No I never take the lift to the top
Ah, you're too twisted by half
But that's far enough
Take a swim round, take a look down
I'll never believe what we've found
We figured it out, we figured it out
We lived in a house, in a cold room
In “Certain Someone,” On a Sunday's lead singer advises listeners to live their lives as they see fit, rather than being dictated by societal norms, superstition, or the opinions of others. The opening lines encourage active participation in one’s life by reading one’s horoscope “day by day,” and making choices for oneself. The singer then expresses that, given the opportunity to have anything in the world for free, they would not share it with anyone else but themselves, emphasizing the idea of self-reliance.
Throughout the song, the lyricist playfully alludes to the idea of being “twisted by half,” suggesting that the unconventional or nonconformist path they have chosen is only partially askew. Despite this, the lyrics suggest that the singer still values traditional pleasures such as building a home, filling it with flowers and cologne, and sharing it with a “certain someone.” Toward the end of the song, the lyrics speak to a sense of shared discovery with a partner or friend, as they metaphorically “swim round” and “look down” to “figure it out” and live in a house “in a cold room.”
Overall, “Certain Someone” can be interpreted as a call to reject societal pressures and the opinions of others, and to take control of one’s own life. The lyrics stress the value of individuality, while also championing the importance of human relationships and shared discovery.
Line by Line Meaning
Live your life, have your say
Live your life on your own terms and express your opinions
Read your stars, day by day
Check your horoscope every day
If I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
If given the opportunity to have anything for free, I would keep it to myself and not share with anyone else except for a certain someone.
Oh, live your life, go your way
And I said oh no
Live your life as you want to, but I disagree with your choices.
Live your life, stake your claim
Wash your clothes, change your name
Ooh, and I said oh, no, no
Make a name for yourself and be willing to change for self-improvement despite my disapproval.
Ooh, ah, you're too twisted by half, but that's far enough
You're a bit off-kilter, but not excessively so.
So live your life, build a home
And fill it full of flowers and a bottle of old cologne
Create a comfortable and aromatic living space that makes you happy.
Yeah, if I could have anything in the world for free
I wouldn't share it with anyone else but me
Except perhaps a certain someone
Although I said I wouldn't share anything with anyone else, I might consider making an exception for a particular person.
Just to be shown another way out
To be presented with a new perspective or opportunity.
Oh, I'd be careful living in a block of flats
And I never take the lift to the top
No I never take the lift to the top
Living in a high-rise apartment can be dangerous, so I always take the stairs to avoid using the elevator to reach the top floor.
Take a swim round, take a look down
I'll never believe what we've found
We figured it out, we figured it out
We lived in a house, in a cold room
Exploring and analyzing our surroundings can lead to unexpected discoveries and revelations, as we did when we discovered solutions while living in a chilly room.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID GAVURIN, HARRIET WHEELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@duncanlangton5348
Got to be one of the most underrated singer song writers of the 80s. Very talented man. Thank you Nick for your music 😃👍🏼
@trinahyam8280
Most definately never got the credit he deserves. 👍
@scottk1521
Spot on!
I honestly can’t believe that this album isn’t heralded as one of the great records of the 80s. Dynamite songwriting and brilliant production!
@timbayliss4153
They really could have been the next Beatles, with songs like this one, fantastic day and love plus one.
@replicas11
He knew how to write pop songs.
@rotagorretni
He could win all the prizes, have all the babies named after him, have his music beaming out like the sun to all the world, even 24/7, and still, predictably, there'd be people on YouTube going "what a shame, so underrated"
@davidserlin8097
40 years later this song still gets me. The horn arrangements are fantastic and the last bit before the outro where it picks up to double time still amazes.
@louisecameron8829
I listened to North Of A Miracle most nights on my Walkman in the 1980s and for some reason, this particular song has never left me, all these years later it still swirls around my head from time to time often at melancholy times. Having just summoned the courage to listen to it again after all these years, I’m surprised at how much more upbeat it is than I recall. Thank you Nick Hayward for a wonderful song that’s never left me alone for long!
@larrydrozd2740
Yep....I've been listening to this song since it came out. Still have my original vinyl copy I bought new in '83. Its timeless.
@oldsynth
A classic that never makes it onto these crap 80's best of programs