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.
She Twists the Knife Again
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I keep my promises, she twists the knife again
I shut my memory, I close my eyes and then
She takes another bite, she twists the knife again
She never leaves me my dignity
Makes a dunce of me in mixed company
No bygone can be a bygone
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
When I think I'm off the hook she gets me
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
I make my moves well, I let her tell me when
I walk a fine line, she twists the knife again
Just when the scar heals, just when the grip unbends
Just when her mind reels, she twists the knife again
She can give it out, she can't take it
She smells something bad, she has to rake it
I bring home my packet, my white-collar money
I'm in a fist fight, she thinks she's Gene Tunney
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
When I think I'm off the hook she gets me
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
She never leaves me my dignity
Makes a dunce of me in mixed company
No bygone can be a bygone
She throws the spanner in, she puts the screws on
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
When I think I'm off the hook she gets me
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
She twists the knife again
The lyrics of "She Twists the Knife Again" by Richard Thompson seem to be about a relationship that is emotionally abusive. The singer tries to do everything right and avoid conflict, but no matter what they do, their partner continues to hurt them. They "keep [their] nose clean, [their] speech plain, and [their] promises", but their partner "twists the knife again". This could be interpreted as the partner continually bringing up past hurts or finding ways to blame the singer for things that aren't their fault.
The bridge of the song adds another layer to this theme of emotional abuse. The singer says that their partner "makes a dunce of me in mixed company" and "throws the spanner in, puts the screws on". This could be interpreted as the partner intentionally embarrassing or belittling the singer in public. The line "no bygone can be a bygone" seems to indicate that the partner never lets go of past mistakes or grievances, using them to continue to hurt the singer.
Overall, the lyrics to "She Twists the Knife Again" paint a picture of a relationship that is toxic and damaging. The partner's behavior is manipulative and cruel, and the singer is powerless to stop it.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep my nose clean, I keep my speech plain
I behave well and speak respectfully
I keep my promises, she twists the knife again
Despite my sincerity, she still hurts me
I shut my memory, I close my eyes and then
I try to forget the pain she's caused me
She takes another bite, she twists the knife again
She continues to cause me harm even when I try to avoid it
She never leaves me my dignity
She doesn't respect me as a person
Makes a dunce of me in mixed company
She humiliates me in front of others
No bygone can be a bygone
She doesn't let go of past mistakes or issues
She throws the spanner in, she puts the screws on
She intentionally creates problems and adds stress to my life
She can give it out, she can't take it
She criticizes and judges me without being able to handle criticism herself
She smells something bad, she has to rake it
She always finds fault or negativity in any situation
I bring home my packet, my white-collar money
I work hard to provide for myself and my partner
I'm in a fist fight, she thinks she's Gene Tunney
Even when I'm struggling or fighting, she still doesn't support me
Just when the scar heals, just when the grip unbends
Just when I start to recover or feel better, she strikes again
Just when her mind reels, she twists the knife again
She causes me pain when she's emotionally unstable or unhappy
I make my moves well, I let her tell me when
I try to navigate our relationship smoothly and follow her lead
I walk a fine line, she twists the knife again
I try to balance our relationship carefully, but she still hurts me
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
Even in moments of intimacy or vulnerability, she causes me pain
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
Even when I try to make things right or apologize, she still hurts me
When I think I'm off the hook she gets me
Just when I think I'm free from her harm, she strikes again
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
This refrain emphasizes the repetitive nature of her hurtful behavior
Contributed by Peyton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Lloyd-Billington
I keep my nose clean, I keep my speech plain
I keep my promises, she twists the knife again
I shut my memory, I close my eyes and then
She takes another bite, she twists the knife again
Never leaves me my dignity
Makes a dunce of me in mixed company
No bygone, can be a bygone
She throws the spanner in, she puts the screws on
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
When I think I'm off the hook, she gets me
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
I make my moves well, I let her tell me when
I walk a fine line, she twists the knife again
Just when the scar heals, just when the grip unbends
When her mind reels, she twists the knife again
She can give it out, she can't take it
She smells something bad, she has to rake it
I bring home my packet, my white-collar money
I'm in a fist fight, she thinks she's Gene Tunney
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
When I think I'm off the hook, she gets me
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
Never leaves me my dignity
Makes a dunce of me in mixed company
No bygone, can be a bygone
She throws the spanner in, she puts the screws on
In the middle of a kiss, she twists the knife again
When I get up off my knees, she twists the knife again
When I think I'm off the hook, she gets me
She twists the knife again, she twists the knife again
She twists the knife again
AA Abbott
This song is a story in itself...
Mark Kelly
My favorite line: No bygone, can be a bygone that says it all and I'm sure it is a universal truth