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.
Walking On A Wire
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I wish I could please you tonight
But my medicine just won't come right
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself
Where's the justice and where's the sense?
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, it's too long to myself
It scares you when you don't know
Whichever way the wind might blow
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
The lyrics of "Walking on a Wire" by Richard and Linda Thompson tell the story of a strained and tumultuous relationship, where the singer feels trapped and stuck in a painful cycle of trying to please their partner. The metaphor of "walking on a wire" alludes to the precarious nature of their situation, as well as the overwhelming feeling of unease that comes with it. The chorus, where the singer repeats "I'm falling," speaks to their sense of impending doom and the feeling that the relationship is doomed to collapse.
The line "Too many steps to take, too many spells to break" speaks to the difficulty of breaking free from this cycle, as well as the sense of being stuck and unable to move forward. The singer feels as though they are constantly under pressure, with their partner's "claws" tearing away at them, while simultaneously feeling as though they are being used and taken advantage of.
The final verse speaks to the fear and uncertainty that comes with leaving a toxic relationship, and the realization that no matter which way the wind blows, the singer is still stuck on the wire, falling. Overall, "Walking on a Wire" is a poignant and powerful depiction of the pain and complexities of relationships that have gone awry.
Line by Line Meaning
I hand you my ball and chain
I trust you with my burdens and responsibilities
You just hand me that same old refrain
You offer me nothing new or helpful in return
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm taking a dangerous and precarious path
I'm walking on a wire
I'm facing great risk and uncertainty
And I'm falling
I'm losing control and falling off the edge
I wish I could please you tonight
I feel pressure to fulfill your expectations
But my medicine just won't come right
My attempts to improve myself are failing
Too many steps to take
I have too many tasks and obstacles to overcome
Too many spells to break
I'm struggling to break free from negative influences
Too many nights awake
I'm burdened by worries and responsibilities that keep me up at night
And no one else
I'm facing these challenges alone
This grindstone's wearing me
The constant pressure and hard work is exhausting me
Your claws are tearing me
Your harsh criticism and demands are hurting me
Don't use me endlessly
I can't keep being used and exploited indefinitely
It's too long, too long to myself
I've been neglecting my own needs for too long
Where's the justice and where's the sense?
I can't understand why things are so unfair and chaotic
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I bear the brunt of the suffering and hardship
It scares you when you don't know
You are afraid of the unknown and uncertain future
Whichever way the wind might blow
You are unsure of what path to take or where to turn
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm still taking risks and facing challenges
And I'm falling
I still struggle and make mistakes
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm still trying to navigate a difficult situation
And I'm falling
I still have setbacks and failures
I'm walking on a wire,
I'm still searching for balance and stability
And I'm falling
I'm still vulnerable and imperfect
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@victorcarrillogonzales7560
. WALKING ON A WIRE:
Tema compuesto por el excelente guitarrista Richard Tnompson (ex Fairport Convention) en 1981 para el disco Shoot out the Lights de 1982, el último que hizo a dúo con su ex mujer Linda Thompson quien lo canta e irónicamente cuando ya estaba terminando la relación y el dúo e irónicamente fue el más vendido y alabado de su carrera, pues la revista Rolling Stone lo catalogó en el puesto 333 de los mejores discos de todos los tiempos, aquí la bella letra que refleja cuando una relación no va más.
I hand you my ball and chain
You just hand me that same old refrain
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I wish I could please you tonight
My medicine just won't come right
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself
Where's the justice, where's the sense?
When all the pain is on my side of the fence
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
Too many steps to take
Too many spells to break
Too many nights awake
And no one else, ohh
This grindstone's wearing me
Your claws are tearing me
Don't use me endlessly
It's too long, too long to myself
Ohh, it scares you when you don't know
Whichever way the wind might blow
Ohh, I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling
I'm walking on a wire, I'm walking on a wire
And I'm falling, ohh
@steveh46
I was working at a bookstore in Chicago when this song came on the radio. I thought the song was great and as soon as the first guitar solo started I thought, "Wow!! It sounds like Robbie Robertson with real muscle."
I had heard of but never heard Richard and Linda Thompson before. When I got off work, I immediately went to a record store and bought the album. Ever since, I've bought nearly everything Richard has put out. Fantastic album and incredible artist. Linda has done some really good solo work since then too.
@herdinglemurs
The combination of Richard's guitar and Linda's voice is so satisfying. Linda has the empathy and voice to make laments heartbreaking.
@rolandoaponte214
A middle age baby boomer listening to this for the first time. Amazed.
@johnaron9926
Linda Thompson is the singer who can make a grown man weep.
@chocolatefrogs1992
The guitar work on this song is a force of nature in itself. Every note, every bend sounds like it's coming straight from Richard Thompson's heart. And it probably is. Masterclass.
@rjmachin
And into Linda's...
@johnbates1795
Its practically a vocal.
@nightsketcher
exactly, John Bates - a lot of recent reviews of RT focus on his "story telling" as in Vincent Black Lightning. He's a great writer of lyrics but maybe unmatched at telling stories with the guitar.
@j.c7719
I have to say Richard Thompson is probably the best guitarist I’ve ever heard and I’ve heard them all, he’s a genius on guitar and at songwriting. Beautiful song, excellently written and sang by Linda.
@MongerelWood
Just amazing honesty, to me. No smoke and mirror sleight of hand, just good straight, from the heart shooting. God bless the pair of them