Low Life
Orzabal Roland Lyrics
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It's Friday night and you've got no steel
You can cry all you like
But the truth still hurts and the hurt still bites
And it all comes down to a very low high
No give, no take
You can't rely on a state of grace
But the pressure's on when the vein gets tight
And it's all because of the cynical times
Low life, low life
No aim, no goal
No guiding light that can take control
You can cry all you like
But you still don't speak to a world outside
And it's all because of the sun in your eyes
Low life, low life
You can have it all but not at all fill that hole
You can make this deal go underground
All the saints are praying hard for your soul
You can buy some wheels and run them down
No aim, no goal
No guiding light that can take control
And it all comes down to a very low life
Low life, low life
The song "Low Life" by Orzabal Roland is about the struggles of living a life without direction or purpose. The lyrics talk about the harsh reality of being trapped in a cycle of low expectations and a mentality of just getting by. The first verse talks about the inability to afford protection ("you've got no steel") and the pain of facing the truth, even though it hurts ("the truth still hurts and the hurt still bites"). The chorus repeats the phrase "low life" to emphasize the theme of feeling stuck in a state of hopelessness.
The second verse talks about the lack of direction and control, and the pressure that comes with that ("the pressure's on when the vein gets tight"). It highlights the cynicism of contemporary times and the difficulty of finding purpose when there's no clear guidance or motivation. The bridge ("you can have it all but not at all fill that hole") speaks to the emptiness and futility of seeking fulfillment through material possessions or indulgence. The final repetition of "low life" echoes the sense of resignation and despair encapsulated throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Low life, it's real
This is the real expression of the miserable lifestyle being lead by the subject.
It's Friday night and you've got no steel
On a Friday night, you are powerless and defenseless with nothing to protect yourself.
You can cry all you like
But the truth still hurts and the hurt still bites
Crying won't change the fact that the truth hurts so much and the pain is crippling.
And it all comes down to a very low high
The high point of this lifestyle is still miserably low compared to what others consider as high.
No give, no take
You can't rely on a state of grace
There is no back and forth of giving and receiving, and there is no safety net of forgiveness, it's just a harsh and unforgiving world.
But the pressure's on when the vein gets tight
And it's all because of the cynical times
There is a lot of tension when things get difficult, and all of it is because of the negativity that surrounds everything in this era.
No aim, no goal
No guiding light that can take control
There are no aspirations and no direction, no beacon of hope to steer one's life towards something better.
And you still don't speak to a world outside
And it's all because of the sun in your eyes
Despite the chances to speak up and express oneself, there is always an impediment, and the glare of the sun is just a metaphor for the challenges in this lifestyle that are hard to overcome.
You can have it all but not at all fill that hole
You can make this deal go underground
You can have everything at your disposal, but it doesn't matter if you are unable to feel fulfilled, and you can keep your dealings hidden from others in this lifestyle.
All the saints are praying hard for your soul
You can buy some wheels and run them down
Despite the desperation, even the saints can pray for awareness and improvement, and you can waste your money by indulging in self-destructive behavior.
And it all comes down to a very low life
Low life, low life
The final verdict is that this is indeed a very low life with no hope and no positivity, and it's all encapsulated in the echo of 'low life, low life.'
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Roland Orzabal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M Mmm
Low life it's real
It's Friday night and you've got no steel
You can cry all you like
But the truth still hurts and the hurt still bites
And it all comes down to a very low high
No give - no take
You can't rely on a state of grace
You can cry all you like
But the pressure's on when the vein gets tight
And it's all because of these cynical times
Low life, low life
No aim -no goal
No guiding light that can take control
You can cry all you like
But you still don't speak to a world outside
And it's all because of the sun in your eyes
Low life, low life
You can have it all but not at all fill that hole
You can make this deal go underground
All the saints are praying hard for your soul
You can buy some wheels and run them down
Felipe Wozniak
Such an underrated album... It´s a masterpiece with a unique atmosphere.
Diego Rositto
i agree. I got this album in cd since released in 2001. Amazing .
Patricia Couture
Agree too. One of the Best album which does exist on this planet ❤
Александр Дедков
This is one of the best tracks in my entire life, Thanks to Roland for his work and for his sincere transmission of feelings through music, this is the best, God bless Roland, I wish him health, happiness, prosperity and all the best, again sincerely Thank you thank you .. .......!
Sandra tansley
oh yes
mark coles
Definitely
Ellaine Marie Paris
the album should be put in streaming services
ESPONET
Absolutely!
Ghost In The Craig
Why isn’t it?!
Ellaine Marie Paris
@Ghost In The Craig idrk about the music industry but i think it's the process and the conditions that you have to agree in order to put it in streaming services ?? and the copyright thing... I think it's kind of a hassle