Reckless
Reyne Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Meet me down by the jetty landing
Where the pontoons bump and spray
All the others reading, standing
As the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay

Hear the captain blow his whistle
So long she's been away
I miss our early morning wrestle
Not a very happy way to start the day

[Bridge]
She don't like that kind of behaviour
She don't like that kind of behaviour

[Chorus]
So throw down your guns
Don't be so Reckless
Throw down guns
Don't be so

Feel like Scott of the Antarctic
Base camp too far away
A Russian sun beneath the Artic
Burke and Wills and camels
Initials in the tree

[Bridge]

[Chorus]

[Bridge]





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "Reckless" by Australian singer-songwriter James Reyne is a melancholic reflection on lost love and its aftermath. The opening lines evoke a vivid image of a jetty landing where the pontoons bump and spray, and the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay. The singer is longing to meet his lover at this spot, but she is nowhere to be seen. He remembers the times they used to spend together, including their "early morning wrestle" - a metaphorical description of their intimate moments. However, now that she's gone, he feels a sense of loss and regrets the way their relationship ended.


The chorus of the song urges the listener to "throw down your guns" and not be so reckless. This can be interpreted as a plea to let go of the things that hold us back and to make peace with ourselves and the ones we love. However, the bridge section, which repeats the line "she don't like that kind of behaviour," suggests that there was some kind of conflict or disagreement that contributed to the end of the relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Meet me down by the jetty landing
Meet me at a specific location near the water.


Where the pontoons bump and spray
At a location where boats are docked, creating waves and spraying water.


All the others reading, standing
People who are around are reading and standing, not doing anything of interest.


As the Manly ferry cuts its way to Circular Quay
A ferry is seen traveling towards a popular destination.


Hear the captain blow his whistle
The captain of the ferry is alerting passengers that it is departing.


So long she's been away
It has been a long time since she has been around.


I miss our early morning wrestle
The singer misses their intimate moments in the morning.


Not a very happy way to start the day
Missing those moments is causing sadness at the start of the day.


She don't like that kind of behaviour
She doesn't appreciate certain actions or attitudes by the singer.


She don't like that kind of behaviour
The same behavior is still not appreciated by her.


So throw down your guns
Put down any figurative 'weapons' or negative attitudes one may have.


Don't be so Reckless
Stop being careless with actions or words.


Throw down guns
A repetition of the earlier request to let go of negative attitudes.


Don't be so
Another way of emphasizing the request to change attitudes or behavior.


Feel like Scott of the Antarctic
The singer feels lost or isolated.


Base camp too far away
They feel unprepared and far from something that could provide support.


A Russian sun beneath the Artic
A rare or unexpected event is occurring in a cold or harsh place.


Burke and Wills and camels
A reference to exploring or traveling in difficult conditions.


Initials in the tree
A reference to leaving a mark or sign of presence.




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GILLES BOUSQUET

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@tonycooper7080

No comments for this video? Well, fuck me! Besides being one of the greatest love songs of all time, it's an Aussie song to boot!


9 years later, I'm still kicking myself for not attending this concert in 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne, especially seeing I was back living in Melbourne!


The concert featured a classic range of Australian artists (in alphabetical order Nick Barker, Joe Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, Diesel, James Reyne and Mark Seymour) performing in an intimate environment and I bloody didn't go!


I recently tracked down the CD/DVD titled "Best Of Acoustic Volume 1" and have it in my collection, but the tears still flow every time I listen to/watch it, not only because of the great music but also because I was such a bloody fool, missing history in the making


I've seen both James and Mark perform live in recent times, and loved it (even if it sometimes adds to the frustration of missing the Forum concert. To quote "Countdown" which James and Mark appeared on many times with their respective bands Australian Crawl and Hunters & Collectors, "Do Yourself A Favour" and also watch the other videos from this excellent live event!



All comments from YouTube:

@luketaiaroa9486

Love this version, angie just smashed it too. Ledgends

@billiecassidy2719

Awesome cuzz!

@BlueBeeMCMLXI

Great voice and presence. He can cut through like no-one else. Paul's song in good hands.

@ironbark1100

James is a great talent , & unpretentious guy who'll chat with anyone, regardless of their status ..

@waynefawkes1556

Respect where your feet touch, not hard to do.

@peregrinemccauley5010

This is one of the by best songs ever written . I wonder if the lads from Led Zep , would agree .

@BetoKaosZDejavu

Realy this song is the mostly bealtful best make in 50 years!!! ...And ever make me cry but i`m survive for more and more sad nights in my life. PEACE AND LOVE FRIENDS

@melindajaneelliott9715

❀

@annekerr1729

Brilliant, such talent β€οΈπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‡¦πŸ‡ΊπŸ˜Ž

@tonycooper7080

No comments for this video? Well, fuck me! Besides being one of the greatest love songs of all time, it's an Aussie song to boot!


9 years later, I'm still kicking myself for not attending this concert in 2010 at the Forum Theatre in Melbourne, especially seeing I was back living in Melbourne!


The concert featured a classic range of Australian artists (in alphabetical order Nick Barker, Joe Camilleri, Stephen Cummings, Diesel, James Reyne and Mark Seymour) performing in an intimate environment and I bloody didn't go!


I recently tracked down the CD/DVD titled "Best Of Acoustic Volume 1" and have it in my collection, but the tears still flow every time I listen to/watch it, not only because of the great music but also because I was such a bloody fool, missing history in the making


I've seen both James and Mark perform live in recent times, and loved it (even if it sometimes adds to the frustration of missing the Forum concert. To quote "Countdown" which James and Mark appeared on many times with their respective bands Australian Crawl and Hunters & Collectors, "Do Yourself A Favour" and also watch the other videos from this excellent live event!

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