Take a Chance With Me
Phil Manzanera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made me stand up
You made me sit down, Donna
Sit down, Donna
Sit down
You made stand up
Donna waiting by the telephone
Donna waiting for the phone to ring
You make me break up
You make me break down, Donna
Break down, Donna
Break down
You make me break up
Meanwhile waiting by the telephone
Donna is waiting for the phone to ring
"Hello, darling
Yes I love you darling
Yes I love you"
Oh Donna
You made me stand up
You made me sit down, Donna
Sit down, Donna
Sit down
You make stand up
Donna I'd stand on my head for you
Oh my love, my own one
Oh my love, my own one
Donna waiting by the telephone
Donna waiting for the phone to ring
Oh Donna
Oh Donna
Oh Donna
Oh Donna
Donna I love you
The lyrics of Phil Manzanera's song "Take a Chance With Me" are about a man (possibly Phil himself) who is in love with a woman named Donna. Donna has a strong hold over the man, making him do things he normally wouldn't do. She's the one in control and he's completely under her spell. The verses highlight how Donna has affected the man's life: she's made him stand up, sit down, break up, and break down. In between, we see Donna waiting by the telephone, hoping for the man to call her. The chorus repeats, with the man asserting his love for Donna and reaffirming the power she has over him. The song ends with Donna still waiting by the phone, and the man still very much in love with her.
It's important to note the repetition of the line "Donna waiting by the telephone" throughout the song. This effectively creates an image in our minds of Donna waiting anxiously by the phone, possibly hoping for the man to call and rekindle their relationship. This also underscores the man's control over Donna - he could call her if he wanted to, but he chooses not to. By using the phrase repeatedly, Manzanera cleverly builds up the emotional intensity of the song.
The song's overall message is one of love, longing, and the power dynamics inherent in a relationship. The man is completely devoted to Donna, willing to do anything for her, but she seems to hold all the cards. The repetition of the chorus and the haunting melody create an atmospheric and emotional song that leaves the listener feeling wistful and introspective.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Donna
Addressing the person named Donna with affection and attention.
You made me stand up
Your actions have caused me to become excited or roused from my seated position.
You made me sit down, Donna
You have influenced me to sit down calmly.
Sit down, Donna
Instructing Donna to take a seat.
Sit down
Command to sit.
You made stand up
Your behavior caused me to stand up.
Donna waiting by the telephone
Donna is waiting for a phone call by the telephone.
Donna waiting for the phone to ring
Describing the waiting period for a phone call from Donna's perspective.
You make me break up
Your actions result in me experiencing an emotional falling apart.
You make me break down, Donna
You cause me to experience a breakdown while addressing Donna.
Break down, Donna
Commanding Donna to have an emotional breakdown.
You make stand up
Your actions cause me to stand up.
Meanwhile waiting by the telephone
The waiting period for a phone call from Donna's perspective.
"Hello, darling
Yes I love you darling
Yes I love you"
A conversation where someone is telling Donna how much they love her.
Donna I'd stand on my head for you
Expressing willingness to do anything for Donna.
Oh my love, my own one
Addressing Donna with love and fondness.
Donna I love you
Expressing their love for Donna.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRYAN FERRY, PHIL MANZANERA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CHARLES NOLAN
Take a chance with Phil Manzanera and co....always a winner!
Brian Wallin Music Ottawa
That guitar tone at the beginning sounds so deadly
Javier Toribio
Gran versión. Extraordinario Manzanera!
Adam Medeiros
I would love to know what Phil's ultimate pedal board looks like.
David Flett
Lovely version
achtung001
superb..adore
Duane Lundervold
Much more psychedelic than Roxy Music. More interesting, too
leonakita
She's perfect singing "No Church in the Wild', but frankly this song just isn't the same without Ferry on vocals. Pretty much the same for other Roxy material.
CHARLES NOLAN
I like that Phil can keep songs that he has been involved with, Roxy, solo, etc, updated for today, and can play them live!
leonakita
Pepper: Well, yes...Bryan's voice has declined with age to the point where he basically just whispers most of his tracks on recent albums. I guess I was referring to the original Ferry voice and style. I guess I just don't appreciate this woman's take on his songs. So its as much a 'hip-hop' style issue with her as it is the vocal itself. Listening to her again while I type this just reinforces my view. I just don't like it. Very rarely is a cover as good as the original.