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.
Love Is Bad For Business
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Clean down the tables and help out on the door
It’s just no good to me if you’re in ecstasy
Running all night with that boyfriend of yours
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
And it don’t pay the bills
It’ll do you no good
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Runs down your stocks
And it leaves you on the rocks
It’ll do you no good
You better wipe that Mona Lisa smile off your face
Clean up those broken dishes, scrub down the floor
Wipe the stars out of your eyes, there’s a job to do
And you’ve been dreaming for three weeks or more
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Drives you insane
But you’re doing it again
It’ll do you no good
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Pawn everything
Just to buy her a ring
It’ll do you no good
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Empties the tills
And it don’t pay the bills
It’ll do you no good
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Runs down your stocks
And it leaves you on the rocks
It’ll do you no good
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
Love is bad for business
The song "Died for Love" by Richard and Linda Thompson is a cautionary tale of love's effect on business. The lyrics describe a girl who is more interested in running around with her boyfriend than helping out at her job. The singer berates her for her lack of responsibility, reminding her that love is bad for business. He urges her to clean up and get to work, for without her, the business will suffer.
The song's theme is straightforward in that love, while powerful and all-consuming, cannot sustain or keep a business afloat. Love blinds individuals, causing them to neglect their responsibilities, resulting in financial losses, and ultimately leading to failure. The repetition of "Love is bad for business" serves as the chorus, emphasizing the central message of the song.
Musically, the song is acoustic and folky, characterized by the distinctive guitar playing of Richard Thompson. Linda's voice is strong and emotive, adding an air of urgency to the lyrics. The combination of the lyrics and melody creates a feeling of sincerity and seriousness, urging the listener to take heed of the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
What time of day is this? O you really look a mess
You look disheveled and unprofessional. What time is it? We have work to do.
Clean down the tables and help out on the door
Take care of the customers and maintain a clean work environment.
It’s just no good to me if you’re in ecstasy
You can't be focused on your own personal pleasure while working here.
Running all night with that boyfriend of yours
Your personal relationships have no place in the workplace.
Love is bad for business
Romantic love can be a liability for the bottom line of a business.
Empties the tills
Spending money on a significant other can lead to financial instability for a business.
And it don’t pay the bills
Love doesn't cover the costs of running a business.
It’ll do you no good
Focusing on romance instead of work won't benefit your career or the success of the business.
Runs down your stocks
Investing in a romantic relationship over the business can damage its financial stability.
And it leaves you on the rocks
Neglecting the business for love can lead to ruin.
You better wipe that Mona Lisa smile off your face
Stop daydreaming and get back to work.
Clean up those broken dishes, scrub down the floor
Take care of the mess you made while distracted by love.
Wipe the stars out of your eyes, there’s a job to do
Don't be blinded by infatuation, stay focused on your responsibilities.
And you’ve been dreaming for three weeks or more
You've been distracted by love for too long, it's time to get back to reality.
Drives you insane
Focusing on love over work can lead to emotional instability.
But you’re doing it again
You've let love distract you from work before and it's happening again.
Pawn everything
Selling assets to indulge in a romantic relationship can result in financial ruin.
Just to buy her a ring
Spending extravagantly on a significant other can lead to financial ruin.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
barttheanorak
I used to have the bootleg of this show - would kill to hear it again.