He continues to write and record new material and performs live frequently throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Thompson was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2011 New Year Honours for services to music. On 5 July 2011, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy honoris causa was conferred on Thompson by the University of Aberdeen, in a ceremony at the University's Elphinstone Hall.
Cold Feet
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way you always drag behind
Show me a horse and I'll feed it hay
Show me the cart and I'll throw it away
Prettiest face I've ever seen
It looked like something in a magazine
To a blind man it's plain to see
That I need you and you need me
I've got cold feet, it's a-crazy chasin'
When things get serious, time is a-wastin'
I'd cross my fingers but they don't seem to meet
There's no need to tell me that I've got cold feet, a-ha-ha
Took me home to tell your dad
That you were the best girl I've ever had
I stayed for dinner, I couldn't refuse
I spilt the tea and I ate the news
Ah, you must think you're really neat
Got me tied down to my seat
I can't move, it's hard to think
With cramp in my eyelids and I can't blink
Well, I've got cold feet, it's a-crazy chasin'
Things get serious, time is a-wastin'
I cross my fingers but they don't seem to meet
There's no need to tell me that I've got cold feet, a-ha-ha
A-ha-ha
In "Cold Feet," Richard Thompson tells the story of a hesitant lover who is unsure of his feelings and commitment towards his partner. He acknowledges that his partner is the "wayward kind" and struggles to keep up with her pace, leading him to feel uncertain and overwhelmed. The metaphor of a horse and cart is used to illustrate their relationship, where the horse represents his partner, and the cart symbolizes his own doubts and fears about taking the relationship further.
Thompson describes the physical and emotional paralysis he experiences when trying to confront his feelings. He talks about having "cramp in [his] eyelids" and being unable to blink, which indicates how difficult and uncomfortable it is for him to face his emotions. He also admits to having "cold feet" and being afraid of commitment, which is the central theme of this song.
The chorus reinforces the idea that time is running out and that something needs to be done before it's too late. Despite his reservations, he acknowledges that he needs his partner as much as she needs him, and the song ends on a humorous and light-hearted note, with Thompson laughing at his own insecurities.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're the wayward kind
I am aware of your tendency to wander from place to place
The way you always drag behind
You tend to lag behind, taking an unusually long time to do things
Show me a horse and I'll feed it hay
I am willing to do any task you ask of me
Show me the cart and I'll throw it away
I am willing to discard anything you ask me to
Prettiest face I've ever seen
You are the most beautiful person I have ever laid eyes on
It looked like something in a magazine
Your beauty is so stunning it appears to be unreal, like something in a magazine
To a blind man it's plain to see
Even someone who cannot physically see could not miss your beauty
That I need you and you need me
Our relationship is mutually beneficial, we both require each other
I've got cold feet, it's a-crazy chasin'
I am experiencing anxiety and apprehension about pursuing this relationship
When things get serious, time is a-wastin'
When the relationship becomes more serious, we should not waste any time
I'd cross my fingers but they don't seem to meet
I have little hope or confidence that things will work out
There's no need to tell me that I've got cold feet, a-ha-ha
I am aware of my own hesitation in the relationship
Took me home to tell your dad
You brought me home to meet your father
That you were the best girl I've ever had
I told your father that you are the best partner I have ever had
I stayed for dinner, I couldn't refuse
I accepted your invitation to stay for dinner because I could not refuse
I spilt the tea and I ate the news
I made a mistake and broke something, and then had to hear some unpleasant news
Ah, you must think you're really neat
You seem to be feeling very pleased with yourself
Got me tied down to my seat
I feel stuck in this situation
I can't move, it's hard to think
I am feeling paralyzed and unable to make decisions
With cramp in my eyelids and I can't blink
I feel physically uncomfortable and unable to rest
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Richard John (Gb1) Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Piazza
excellent.... I've always loved this song
Serge Denisevich
nicely done Scott!
mean jemima
Cold feet but warm vocal!