Day Tripper
Otis Redding & Booker T. & The MGs Lyrics
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For taking the easy way out
Got a good reason
For taking the easy way out now
She was a day tripper
One way ticket, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out
She's a big teaser
She took me half the way there
She's a big teaser
She took me half the way there, now
She was a day tripper
One way ticket, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Tried to please her
She only played one night stand
Tried to please her
She only played one night stand, now
She was a day tripper
Sunday driver, yeah
It took me so long to find out
And I found out
Day tripper, day tripper, yeah
Day tripper, day tripper, yeah
Day tripper, day tripper, yeah
The lyrics of Otis Redding & Booker T. & The MGs's song Day Tripper discuss the theme of deception by a woman who leads the singer astray with her teasing ways. The first verse suggests that the woman knows the easy way out of escapades, and the singer discovers this belatedly. The second verse uses the metaphor of a "big teaser" who takes the singer "half the way there" before revealing her true motives. Finally, in the third verse, the woman becomes an object of criticism as someone who only seeks one-night stands, and the singer realizes that her true motives are duplicitous.
The song's title, "Day Tripper," is a British term used to describe a person who takes short trips during the day, usually for recreation. However, the song's lyrics use this same term as a metaphor for a woman who takes the singer on a short-lived journey with no serious intentions. The song's overall mood is one of disappointment and disillusionment, as the singer realizes that he has been misled by the woman's behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
Got a good reason
There was a logical reason for doing what I did
For taking the easy way out
I chose the simpler path to avoid a complicated situation
Got a good reason
Once again, there was a sound justification for my actions
For taking the easy way out now
I decided to choose an effortless option this time around
She was a day tripper
She only sought temporary thrills and excitement
One way ticket, yeah
Her journey was one-sided and directionless
It took me so long to find out
It took me a while to discover the truth
And I found out
Eventually, I uncovered the reality of the situation
She's a big teaser
She often toyed with my emotions and teased me
She took me half the way there
She brought me partially to where I hoped to go
She was a day tripper
Once again, she was not interested in lasting relationships
One way ticket, yeah
Yet again, her journey was fleeting and unfulfilling
It took me so long to find out
Again, it took me a significant amount of time to discover the truth
And I found out
Although it took me a long time, I did eventually uncover the reality
Tried to please her
I attempted to make her happy
She only played one night stand
Unfortunately, she was only interested in casual, temporary relationships
She was a day tripper
Again, her behavior was characterized by temporary, fleeting pursuits
Sunday driver, yeah
She lacked direction and purpose in her life
It took me so long to find out
Yet again, it took me quite some time to discover the truth
And I found out
But ultimately, I did find out the reality of the situation
Day tripper, day tripper, yeah
The phrase is repeated as a metaphor for the repeated pattern of temporary, fleeting pursuits
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind