Someone New
Paul Kelly Lyrics


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I just want to sleep with someone new
Someone I've never met
Knowing it's a foolish thing to do
And sure to cause regret

There is no reason to do our love wrong
When we're together it's sweet and strong
It's where I belong

But I just want to sleep with someone new
Who doesn't know my name
Who comes and takes my hand out of the blue
Just like in a dream

Pass any doorway, ride any train
Walk into any room and beauty stakes its claim
Drives it home again and again

I just want to sleep with someone new

I just want to sleep with someone else
Touch some different skin
To do or not to do is both ways false
But one's a greater sin

I'm not about to tear this house down
And I couldn't stand to sneak around




And lose this love I've found
So daily I will make her someone new

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Paul Kelly's song Someone New tell a story of a person who is in a committed relationship but desires the excitement of sleeping with someone new. The singer acknowledges that this desire goes against reason and is likely to bring regret. However, the temptation remains strong. The singer describes the appeal of not having any emotional ties to the person they would sleep with, someone they've never met before and doesn't know their name.


The line "Pass any doorway, ride any train, walk into any room and beauty stakes its claim, drives it home again and again" speaks to the overwhelming desire to experience the thrill of the unknown, the possibility that lies behind every door and around every corner. The singer recognizes that this desire is selfish and could cause harm to their partner's feelings, but they also understand that the desire consists of a natural human desire to explore and connect with others. Daily, he will make her "someone new," meaning he will approach their relationship freshly each day, to keep the spark alive.


Overall, the lyrics depict the internal struggle between monogamy and the desire for new experiences. The singer is torn between wanting to be with his partner and wanting to feel the thrill of someone new. The lyrics don't offer a resolution, but instead, the singer continues to struggle with this desire, acknowledging its existence but trying to maintain his commitment to his partner.


Line by Line Meaning

I just want to sleep with someone new
The singer desires a sexual encounter with a stranger to break the monotony of their current relationship.


Someone I've never met
The sexual partner sought after is a complete stranger to the singer.


Knowing it's a foolish thing to do
The singer is aware that the decision to pursue a sexual encounter with a stranger goes against their better judgment.


And sure to cause regret
The artist is aware that engaging in a sexual relationship with a stranger is likely to result in feelings of remorse.


There is no reason to do our love wrong
The artist values their current relationship and recognizes that cheating is wrong.


When we're together it's sweet and strong
The singer has a deep emotional connection with their current partner and values the time they spend together.


It's where I belong
The singer feels a strong sense of belonging and attachment to their current partner.


Who doesn't know my name
The artist desires to have a sexual encounter with someone who is completely unfamiliar with them.


Who comes and takes my hand out of the blue
The artist desires for a stranger to make the first move and initiate physical contact in a spontaneous manner.


Just like in a dream
The artist imagines the encounter with a stranger to play out in a dream-like, surreal manner.


Pass any doorway, ride any train
The singer is open to the possibility of encountering a sexual partner in any location or situation.


Walk into any room and beauty stakes its claim
The artist believes that beauty is prevalent in any situation and expects to encounter attractive individuals anywhere they go.


Drives it home again and again
The recurrence of encountering attractive individuals reinforces the singer's desire to pursue a sexual encounter with someone other than their current partner.


I just want to sleep with someone else
The singer desires a sexual encounter with a person who is not their current partner.


Touch some different skin
The singer desires to experience physical intimacy with someone other than their current partner.


To do or not to do is both ways false
Whether or not to engage in a sexual encounter with a stranger is a difficult decision for the artist and has consequences either way.


But one's a greater sin
The artist recognizes that cheating on their current partner is a greater moral offense than having a one-night stand with a stranger.


I'm not about to tear this house down
The singer is not willing to destroy their current relationship for the sake of a fleeting sexual encounter with someone else.


And I couldn't stand to sneak around
The singer is not comfortable with deceiving their partner and risking their relationship by cheating.


And lose this love I've found
The artist values and is committed to their love with their current partner and does not want to jeopardize it.


So daily I will make her someone new
Instead of pursuing a risky sexual encounter with a stranger, the artist decides to revive the excitement in their current relationship by finding ways to make their partner constantly feel like someone new.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Maurice Kelly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

MJ Hohman

So raw and honest.

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