Careless
Paul Kelly and The Messengers Lyrics
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How many notes in a saxophone, how many tears in a bottle of gin?
How many times did you call my name, knock at the door but you couldn't get in?
I know I've been careless
I've been wrapped up in a shell, nothing could get through to me
Acted like I didn't know I had friends and family
I know I've been careless
I lost my tenderness
I've been careless
I took bad care of this
Like a mixture in a bottle, like a frozen over lake
Like a long-time, painted smile I got so hard I had to crack
You were there, you held the line, you're the one that brought me back
I know I've been careless
I lost my tenderness
I've been careless
I took bad care of this
How many cabs in New York City, how many angels on a pin?
How many notes in a saxophone, how many tears in a bottle of gin?
How many times did you call my name, knock at the door but you couldn't get in?
How many stars in the milky way, how many ways can you lose a friend?
The song "Careless" by Paul Kelly has a deep emotional meaning communicated through the use of rhetorical questions and repetition. It describes the feeling of being caught up in one's own world and ignoring the people who care for you. The first stanza features a series of rhetorical questions, with each question representing an issue that may seem esoteric or abstract but actually has a deeper meaning. For example, the line "how many angels on a pin?" refers to a philosophical question about the nature of angels, but it could also represent the difficulty of trying to quantify something abstract like love or care. The line "how many times did you call my name, knock at the door but you couldn't get in?" symbolizes the idea of an individual being closed off and unwilling to let others in.
The second stanza presents a contrast to the first, with Kelly acknowledging that he has been careless and ignoring those who care for him. He describes being wrapped up in a shell and ignoring his friends and family, unable to see the worry in their eyes. This is a common theme in many of Kelly's songs, as he often writes about the importance of community and personal relationships.
The final stanza brings the song full circle as Kelly repeats the first stanza, asking the same rhetorical questions about the nature of existence. This time, however, the questions take on a different meaning as they are answered by the experiences he has gone through in the song. They represent a newfound awareness of the fragility of life and the importance of not being careless with the things that matter most.
Line by Line Meaning
How many cabs in New York City, how many angels on a pin?
Asking about the impractical and uncountable things, things that one doesn't need to know.
How many notes in a saxophone, how many tears in a bottle of gin?
Again, asking about the uncountable things, possibly to emphasize the uselessness of such questions.
How many times did you call my name, knock at the door but you couldn't get in?
Asking about the number of times someone tried to reach out but failed, possibly to emphasize the importance of communication in a relationship.
I know I've been careless
Admitting to being negligent and thoughtless, possibly in regards to the aforementioned failed communication.
I've been wrapped up in a shell, nothing could get through to me
Being emotionally closed off and distant, preventing others from reaching out and breaking through to them.
Acted like I didn't know I had friends and family
Acting as if they were alone and didn't have anyone who cared for them.
I saw worry in their eyes, it didn't look like fear to me
Not recognizing the genuine concern in the eyes of loved ones, possibly due to their emotional detachment.
I lost my tenderness
Losing their ability to be caring and gentle with those around them.
I took bad care of this
Taking poor care of their emotional health and their relationships with others.
Like a mixture in a bottle, like a frozen over lake
Using a simile to describe feeling stagnant and unmoving, possibly due to emotional numbness or depression.
Like a long-time, painted smile I got so hard I had to crack
Describing the facade they put up, pretending to be happy even when they weren't, and reaching a breaking point.
You were there, you held the line, you're the one that brought me back
Acknowledging someone who helped them through a tough time and pulled them back from their emotional disconnect.
How many stars in the milky way, how many ways can you lose a friend?
Asking about something vast and uncountable, possibly alluding to the idea that the ways in which one can lose a friend are infinite and often unanticipated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAUL MAURICE KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Bennyboy1985
I remember this song back from 1989, I'd hear it in the car when Mum would play the tape of his new album 'So Much Water (So Close to Home). He played the most beautiful acoustic version of this song in The Domain at the start of last year. I'm still trying to find a video of him playing a live cover that sounds as good as it did that day!
@charlesmulieri85
Classic,I'm from Long island,N.Y,and discovered Paul K& the Messengers in 89 down under along with Graham Parker,and it was awesome,they played both artist all over Australia,I was working there for just over a year,great memories,great friends still,but it was sad when I came back to the States,they never played them on the radio, you couldn't even buy the P.k.album, you had to slide into Canada to pick up these 2 iconic Comonwealthers music,as well as another up and coming band "The tradgically Hip"back in. 91- 92,. Great memories , down under and. Toronto,Ont. Cara Johnson u f'n ROK!!!!
@skunkroaster
How many cabs in New York City? How many Angels on a pin? How many notes in a Saxophone? How many tears in a bottle of Gin? Pure Poetry. Fucking Brilliant
@garrietaylor9519
Cant play this without turning up the amps ! Brillaint stuff
@romeosyne
Thank goodness I bought that Paul Kelley cassette over a decade ago. One of my favorites.
@drabbit61
Thx for posting. This was one of PK's best albums - and a classic filmclip
@trojon1313
God Damn. They don't get any better than this
@FlyersRightsdotorg
Damn, this brings back good memories. Cheers!
@gjrwm1964
Takes your breath away!
@poodleschmoodle
i am so in love with this man