His output has ranged from bluegrass to studio-oriented dub reggae, but his core output comfortably straddles folk, rock, and even some country. His lyrics, simply and laconically voiced, have managed to speak to Australian experiences and history perhaps more broadly and directly than any other artist..
Darling It Hurts
Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all the cars slow down as they see you driving by
Thought you said you had some place to go
What you doing up here putting it all on show?
Darling it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight
Do you remember Darling how we laughed and cried
How could something so good turn so bad?
I'd do it all again 'coz you're the best I've ever had
Darling it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight
See that man with the glad hands
I want to kill him but it wouldn't be right
Now here comes another man with the gladbags
I want to break him but it's not my fight
In one hand and out the other
Baby I don't even know why you bother
Darling it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight
The lyrics of "Darling It Hurts" by Paul Kelly and The Coloured Girls are heartbreaking and depict a man's pain at seeing his former lover in disarray. The opening lines describe the singer's shock at seeing his ex-girlfriend on a street corner, dressed provocatively and attracting attention from passing cars. He questions why she is there and why she is putting herself on display. The chorus repeats the titular phrase "Darling it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight," emphasizing his distress at seeing her in this vulnerable state.
The second stanza shifts to a reminiscence of happier times, where the couple shared an unbreakable bond and love for each other. However, something went wrong, and the relationship deteriorated, leaving the singer feeling bitter and disillusioned. Despite this, the final stanza speaks of his protective instincts towards his former lover, stating he wants to physically harm the men who may take advantage of her, but acknowledges that it's not his place to do so. He ends the song with the heartbreaking admission that he doesn't even understand why she bothers, highlighting the futility of their relationship.
The song is a poignant reflection on the complexities of love and relationships, with themes of love, loss, and regret. Paul Kelly's use of imagery and narrative storytelling creates a vivid picture of the struggling ex-lover and the singer's raw emotions. The 'Darlinghurst' suburb referenced in the chorus is located in Sydney, Australia, where Paul Kelly was born and raised.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you standing on the corner with your dress so high
I notice you standing on the corner with a short dress on
And all the cars slow down as they see you driving by
The cars decelerate when they drive past you
Thought you said you had some place to go
Weren't you supposed to be somewhere else?
What you doing up here putting it all on show?
What are you doing here flaunting your body?
Do you remember Darling how we laughed and cried
Can you recall, my dear, when we shared emotions through laughter and tears?
We said we'd be together till the day we died
We vowed to stay together until death parted us
How could something so good turn so bad?
How did something with great potential turn sour?
I'd do it all again 'coz you're the best I've ever had
I'd repeat everything because you're the most excellent partner I've had
See that man with the glad hands
Observe that man with ingratiating manners
I want to kill him but it wouldn't be right
I wish to murder him, but that's unjustified
Now here comes another man with the gladbags
Here comes another man with the ability to ingratiate himself
I want to break him but it's not my fight
I want to harm him, but it's not my responsibility
In one hand and out the other, Baby I don't even know why you bother
It's going in one ear and out the other, darling. I don't comprehend why you're still trying
Darling it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight
Darling, it pains me to see you unhappy in Darlinghurst this evening
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEPHEN JAMES CONNOLLY, PAUL MAURICE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexwilding5132
One of my all time fave Paul Kelly songs!! awesome ❤
@suzanneoldfield921
I remember seeing Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls when I was 16 at my local pub in Perth (I snuck in) and it was the best gig! It was 37 years ago!!! My 28 year old daughter has only just discovered him and she loves him! She's looking at a house to move into in Darlinghurst ATM, so I sent her this 💥🧡🎵🎶
@0fficialdarrylworley.
hello, how are you doing it is nice meeting you here.
@KerrieHoskins-cd1kp
Bloody love this sing, can’t get enough of it
@0fficialdarrylworley.
hello, how are you doing it is nice meeting you here.
@alexgeorge2993
One of the best Australian performers and one of the best songs ever!
@luvs2trvl
Agree 100 %
@sammurphy5573
Stromgly Agree👌
@mansionaccount6699
"Darling it hurts to see you down Darlinghurst tonight". That's a killer line right there.
@SanFranciscoFatboy
hell yes :). new kelly fan from california!!!!!!