Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British… Read Full Bio ↴Richard Thompson OBE (born 3 April 1949, Notting Hill, London) is a British singer/songwriter and guitarist. Highly regarded for his guitar techniques, Thompson was awarded the Orville H. Gibson award for best acoustic guitar player in 1991. Similarly, his songwriting has earned him an Ivor Novello Award and, in 2006, a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio. Thompson made his debut as a recording artist as a member of Fairport Convention in September 1967. He left the group in 1971 and began recording with his wife as Richard & Linda Thompson, before their marriage dissolved in 1983. Since then, Thompson has maintained a critically-acclaimed solo career.

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.

For Whose Sake
Richard Thompson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

For whose sake
For whose sake
Did I deliver
Sighs of love and vows forever?

For whose sake
For whose sake
Did I learn real from true?

Fast times
What a scene you left behind
Skins shed and bitter morsels said

And now you shine your little star
And did you come so far
Ahh you who you think you are?

For whose sake
For whose sake
Did I endeavor
Pledge myself forever?

For whose sake?
For whose sake?
I know your signs
And I know your lines

But I don't know you

I don't know you
I don't know you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Richard Thompson's song "For Whose Sake?" is a bittersweet reflection on a past relationship that was fragile, intense and possibly a betrayal. The repetition of the question "For whose sake?" enhances the theme of questioning and searching for meaning behind the romantic gestures Thompson made. The singer seems confused and anguished about the intensity of his devotion that eventually led to heartache. The lines "Did I learn real from true?" indicate that the singer is unsure whether the love he sought was genuine or just an illusion.

The chorus is a direct address to the lover, with Thompson trying to understand the motives and intentions of his past lover. The line "I know your signs and I know your lines, but I don't know you" reveals the distance that has grown between them despite the intensity of their past connection. The hurt and disillusionment are palpable in his voice through the lyrics.

Overall, "For Whose Sake?" is a poignant exploration of love and its imperfect nature. It asks a question that many have asked before: was love worth it even if it leads to heartbreak?

Line by Line Meaning

For whose sake
Who was the intended beneficiary of my actions?

Did I deliver Sighs of love and vows forever?
Why did I express deep feelings and everlasting promises?

For whose sake For whose sake Did I learn real from true?
Who was my motivation to differentiate between what's genuine and what's not?

Fast times
Memories of a rushed period

What a scene you left behind
What actions and impressions did you leave in your wake?

Skins shed and bitter morsels said
People got hurt and unkind words were spoken

And now you shine your little star
Currently, you bask in your own celebrity

And did you come so far Ahh you who you think you are?
But have you actually progressed far enough, oh arrogant one?

For whose sake For whose sake Did I endeavor Pledge myself forever?
Who was the driving force behind my relentless pursuit and promise of lifelong commitment?

For whose sake? For whose sake? I know your signs And I know your lines
Who are you trying to fool? I can see through your facade

But I don't know you I don't know you I don't know you
Despite all this, I still don't truly understand who you are as a person

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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