Mitch
Paul Heaton Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

How can I turn this red cross, back into a tick?
Like how come I turned good looks into frail and sick?
Not only did I blind the blind
But I also took their stick
Crippled myself with a baseball bat and a brick

Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
But you're the reason I'm still here
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich

Until I watch them lower my coffin
Deep down in the grave
Until I hear the digging sound of soil and spade
There doesn't seem a single person
Able to persuade
This self-indulgent idiot's the easiest laid

Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
But you're the reason I'm still here
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich

If there's a way to pay you back before I die
If there's one little prayer I can answer, I'll try
Write these words in cloud
On the bluest of skies
The best pair of ears to a man who just wanted to cry

How did I screw up and throw such a beautiful chance?
Turned down every women that asked me up to dance
Yes stab me with the truth
Use a sword use a lance
I'd still think two steps back is the way to advance

Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
But you're the reason I'm still here
And not facing a ditch, Mitch
And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich

If there's a way to pay you back before I die
If there's one little prayer I can answer, I'll try
Write these words in cloud




On the bluest of skies
The best pair of ears to a man who just wanted to cry

Overall Meaning

In "Mitch" by Paul Heaton, the singer addresses someone named Mitch, thanking them for their help in keeping him alive and regretting his mistakes that have led him to such a difficult place. He asks how he can turn his failures into successes, and laments his missed opportunities with women and the self-destructive behavior that has left him "frail and sick." Yet through it all, Mitch has been a constant support, and the singer recognizes that without them, he would be in a much worse place.


The lyrics of "Mitch" are both personal and universal. They speak to the struggles of self-doubt, self-sabotage, and the search for redemption that many people experience. The repeated refrain of "most other men like to whine about the seven year itch" suggests that the singer sees himself as different from those who complain without taking action, and that Mitch has provided him with the strength to keep going.


In the end, the singer expresses a desire to repay Mitch for their help and to make amends for his mistakes. The final image of writing on the bluest skies conveys a sense of hope, as if there is a way to move forward and make things right.


Line by Line Meaning

How can I turn this red cross, back into a tick?
I messed up badly and want to turn things back to the way they were before.


Like how come I turned good looks into frail and sick?
I don't understand how I let myself become so weak and broken.


Not only did I blind the blind
I didn't just hurt myself, I also hurt others who were already struggling.


But I also took their stick
I made things worse by taking away what little support they had.


Crippled myself with a baseball bat and a brick
I caused my own downfall, using things that were supposed to be helpful as instruments of destruction.


Most other men like to whine about the seven year itch
Other men complain about minor problems, while I have much bigger issues.


They're the same men who call you liar and bitch
These men are quick to judge and insult others, especially women.


But you're the reason I'm still here
You are the one person who has kept me going through everything.


And not facing a ditch, Mitch
Without you, I could have easily ended up in a much worse place.


And they're a lot poorer than me, I'm incredibly rich
Compared to those men, I am actually quite fortunate and successful.


Until I watch them lower my coffin
I won't truly understand the gravity of my situation until I am dead and gone.


Deep down in the grave
My final resting place, where all my troubles will finally be over.


Until I hear the digging sound of soil and spade
The sound of digging will remind me that I am on a one-way journey with no turning back.


There doesn't seem a single person
It's hard to find anyone who can truly help me now.


Able to persuade
Nobody can convince me to change or see things differently.


This self-indulgent idiot's the easiest laid
I am too focused on my own problems and desires to see that I am being taken advantage of.


If there's a way to pay you back before I die
I want to do something to thank you for everything you have done for me, while I still can.


If there's one little prayer I can answer, I'll try
I want to make up for my mistakes, even in a small way.


Write these words in cloud
I want to write a message that will last forever, that can be seen by everyone.


On the bluest of skies
I want my message to be seen in the most beautiful and purest way possible.


The best pair of ears to a man who just wanted to cry
I want to give you the gift of listening, to be there for you when you need to express yourself.


How did I screw up and throw such a beautiful chance?
I had something good, but I ruined it with my own actions and decisions.


Turned down every women that asked me up to dance
I missed out on potential opportunities and relationships because of my own insecurities and fears.


Yes stab me with the truth
I want you to be honest with me, even if it hurts or is hard to hear.


Use a sword use a lance
I want you to be brutally honest, to cut through my defenses and excuses.


I'd still think two steps back is the way to advance
Even with the truth, I may still struggle to change and improve myself.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE ROTHERAY, PAUL HEATON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@Dizzknee

One of the best albums I own.

@Rich74

Paul’s best work

@Dezzaster2

thank you so much ive been lookin for this song since i was like 12 years old .... i am now 23.

@creepycraig73

What are the guys from The Vacant Lot doing in this?

@TB897

he released it as Biscuit Boy aka. Crackerman. but nobody really knew who it was so it didn't take off, not even with Beautiful South fans.

More Versions