Come Back
Pete Wylie and the Mighty WAH! Lyrics


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Down by the docks the talking turned:
"As some are striving to survive,
the others thrive"
(Reaching the realm of no return)
"I don't want charity, just half a chance
and it's all up to you, yes it's all up to you"

Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back
Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back! To god-given belief

Well did you ever hear of hope?
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
A small belief can mean
you'll never walk alone
And did you ever hear of faith?
Encouragement! Development!
And it's all to you!
Yes, it's all to you!

Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back
Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back! To god-given belief

Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back
Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back! I'm begging you please

Come Back! Now I'm making my stand
Come Back! with time on my hands
Come Back! Time to kill or to cure





And hats off to Hatton!!!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Come Back" by Pete Wylie and the Mighty WAH! speak of the struggles of people who are trying to survive in a world where some thrive while others are left behind. The song is set in the docks, which typically represents a working-class area, and the talking that is going on contains a conversation about the disparity between those who thrive and those who barely survive. The line "reaching the realm of no return" implies that some people have reached a point of no return in their struggle for survival, which can be seen as a state of hopelessness.


However, the song is not all about despair, as the chorus encourages the person who seems to have given up to come back and try again. The singer is willing to help by offering a chance to someone who just needs a break. The use of the phrase "Come Back" is a call to action, and the repetition of the words "Come Back" emphasizes the urgent need for the person to try again. The message is that a small belief in oneself can make a big difference, and a will to survive is all that is needed to start anew.


The last line in the song, "Hats off to Hatton," is a reference to Ricky Hatton, the British boxer who had just won his first world title in 2005. It is a statement of celebration and tribute to someone who has achieved a great feat, and it adds to the overall theme of the song, which is about perseverance and success.


Line by Line Meaning

Down by the docks the talking turned: "As some are striving to survive, the others thrive" (Reaching the realm of no return) "I don't want charity, just half a chance and it's all up to you, yes it's all up to you"
At the docks, the conversation shifted towards a discussion about the reality that while some people are struggling to stay afloat, others are prospering. This fact could lead to a point of no return. The singer is not interested in pity, just the opportunity to succeed, which is in the hands of the listener.


Come Back! I'm willing to try Come Back! Don't let time go by Come Back! The will to survive's Come Back Come Back! With time on my hands Come Back! I'm making a stand Come Back! To kill or to cure Come Back! To god-given belief
The singer is calling on someone to return because they are willing to put in the effort to make things work. Time is running out, so they need to act fast. The singer has the determination to make it through and believes that they will, with some amount of faith and hope.


Well did you ever hear of hope? Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! A small belief can mean you'll never walk alone And did you ever hear of faith? Encouragement! Development! And it's all to you! Yes, it's all to you!
The singer asks if the listener knows about the concept of hope and how even having a small amount of it can make a difference. They also mention the idea of faith, which can be encouraged and developed. Ultimately, having hope and faith is in the hands of the listener.


Come Back! I'm willing to try Come Back! Don't let time go by Come Back! The will to survive's Come Back Come Back! With time on my hands Come Back! I'm making a stand Come Back! To kill or to cure Come Back! To god-given belief
The artist repeats their call for the person to come back because the artist is determined to make it through and has faith and hope. They are making a stand with the time that they have, and they hope that the other person will return and share in their belief.


Come Back! With time on my hands Come Back! I'm making a stand Come Back! To kill or to cure Come Back Come Back! I'm willing to try Come Back! Don't let time go by Come Back! The will to survive's Come Back! I'm begging you please
The artist reiterates their desire for the other person to come back because they have the time and determination to make things work. They are making a stand and hoping that the other person will come back to help. They don't want time to go by and the chance to be lost, so they are begging the other person to return.


Come Back! Now I'm making my stand Come Back! with time on my hands Come Back! Time to kill or to cure And hats off to Hatton!!!
The singer asserts that they are ready to take action and make their stand. They have the time to devote to their pursuits and are ready to either succeed or fail. The final line is likely a reference to professional boxer Ricky Hatton and is meant to convey respect and admiration.




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Sentric Music
Written by: PETE WYLIE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@summerbayexile

One of the most unappreciated songs ever. Total genius in every respect but it only spent one week in the Top 20 and none of the radio stations play it now. It will always be one of my favourite songs.

@BeggarsArchive

Agreed! Trying to get more people to find it on Youtube :)

@debra1232

@The Arkive Hopefully I've helped you in your quest as it's been added to my FB page with most of the '80s! My 21-yr-old & her student buds can't get enough of her mum's music :)

@derekwarren3928

Totally agreed mate. I’m a huge MUFC supporter and the whole LFC line Pete threw in always cuts deep and yet it’s still absolutely beautiful and brilliant. A pop song for the ages. Pete’s stuff was always soooooooo wonderful.

@williamnightingale2285

It gets played every now and again on the Forgotten 80s show on Absolute 80s.

@kevinpayne1968

Agree. Been a fav of mine since it came out. Still have the single.

8 More Replies...

@brendancasey866

If only those Days and Nights of the 80's would come back,,along with the friends, the dreams, ambitions, and long lost loves, and not just be confined to memories

@stephenwaller7461

I feel your pain thats how it affects me, something unattainable , the people , the places , the smells and sounds gone forever , only a distant memory getting further away as we get old. Memorys are all we have left but they are unbeatable fantastic memorys of a unique space in time.

@Willsontime

One of my favorite songs of the 80’s. Should have been a number1.

@BeggarsArchive

agreed :)

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