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.
Why Must I Plead
Richard Thompson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sting like tears in my eyes
And a thousand love-sick tunes
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind
You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Well my friends are indiscreet
And I sing myself to sleep
I don't mind the red wine
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap
Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I ask who your friend is and you say it's Santa Claus
I ask you to come home,
You say you're tired of being indoors
Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
Oh mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
Oh mercy, you said forever till the end of time
Oh why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Oh why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
I said why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
In Richard Thompson's song "Why Must I Plead," the lyrics express heartbreak and frustration in a relationship gone awry. The singer is dealing with the aftermath of a partner who has betrayed him, and the bitterness and lies that have come with it. The wounds are deep, and though the singer has tried to move on, the pain remains. The partner has moved on to someone else and seems to have little remorse for their actions. The singer laments the loss of what was once a great love, and questions why he must plead for what he feels is rightfully his.
The lyrics are filled with images of jealousy, betrayal, and frustration. The singer mentions that a thousand love-sick tunes won't wash away the pain, and it's clear that he's been hurt very deeply. He touches on the feeling of being replaced, as the partner has moved on to someone else, and mentions that he's been drinking to help cope with his pain. The partner seems to be dismissive of the singer's feelings, saying that she's tired of being indoors and that she's found someone new.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the pain and frustration of a broken heart. The lyrics are raw and honest, and the emotions expressed are felt deeply by anyone who has experienced the end of a love affair.
Line by Line Meaning
All your bitterness and lies
Your negative attitude and dishonesty are hurtful
Sting like tears in my eyes
Your words and actions cause me emotional pain
And a thousand love-sick tunes
No amount of romantic music can heal the damage you've done
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind
The damage you've inflicted on me mentally won't disappear easily
You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You're seeing someone else and getting a lot of attention for it
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You cheated on me because you thought you'd found a better option
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation
You're being submissive to this new person and doing whatever they say
Oh but mercy, we used to love all day and drive all night
We had a passionate and adventurous relationship
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
You used to get excited by my jealousy
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites
We experienced extreme highs and lows together
Why must I plead with you darling
Why do I have to beg you to treat me right?
For what's already mine
We had an agreement and you are breaking it
Well my friends are indiscreet
My friends are talking about us and spreading rumors
And I sing myself to sleep
I am having trouble sleeping because of the turmoil in our relationship
I don't mind the red wine
I am using alcohol to cope with my emotions
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap
I'm willing to tolerate shallow flirting if it's all I can get from you
Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I try to get clarification on your actions, but you just tell me what I want to hear
I ask who your friend is and you say it's Santa Claus
You are being evasive and not telling me the truth
I ask you to come home,
I try to get you to spend time with me
You say you're tired of being indoors
You make excuses for not making time for me
Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
You made a commitment to me
Oh mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
We both agreed to be faithful to each other
Oh mercy, you said forever till the end of time
You promised to be loyal to me for life
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RICHARD JOHN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Maenad
All your bitterness and lies
Sting like tears in my eyes
And a thousand love-sick tunes
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind
You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation
Oh but mercy, we used to love all day and drive all night
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Well my friends are indiscreet
And I sing myself to sleep
I don't mind the red wine
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap
Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I ask who your friend is, and you say it's Santa Clause
I ask you to come home, you say you're tired of being indoors
Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
Mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
Mercy, you said forever till the end of time
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
I said why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
---
Why Must I Plead
Richard Thompson
city zen
All your bitterness and lies
Sting like tears in my eyes
And a thousand love-sick tunes
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind
You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation
Oh but mercy, we used to love all day and drive all night
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Well my friends are indiscreet
And I sing myself to sleep
I don't mind the red wine
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap
Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I ask who your friend is and you say it's Santa Claus
I ask you to come home,
You say you're tired of being indoors
Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
Oh mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
Oh mercy, you said forever till the end of time
Oh why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Oh why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
I said why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Songwriters: Richard John Thompson
Broonzied
My favourite song on the album. It really bites you, and leaves the teeth marks to show where its been.
Mark Glassman
Stunningly superb in every way! Brilliant biting lyrics, a fantastic voice and the greatest guitarist on the planet.
bravogolfhotel
Everybody loves "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", but THIS is the best song on the album.
writer4peace
This is one of my all time Richard Thompson songs (out of so many fabulous others). It makes me weep like a grandmother every time I hear it.
suffolknwhatuk
great song, could imagine Van Morrison doing this.
Lucia Vanolli
I totally agree with you. My regards, Lucia.
Colin Killick
Such a great tune. Although I like the slight edit he does to the lyrics live—“licking his stamps and taking his dictation” is an even better line.
cryofreezer
He's the greatest and this song is one of his best.
BReal BTru
This is simply a great song. Like "Keep Your Distance" or "Mascara Tears," if you were to come across such a gem amidst the ocean of musical crap out there, this song's beauty and excellence would make your breath catch in your throat. Richard Thompson is one of the greatest singer/songwriter/guitarists ever to walk our planet, and many people do not even know who he is!
Maenad
All your bitterness and lies
Sting like tears in my eyes
And a thousand love-sick tunes
Won't wash away the wounds from my mind
You've been seen around, you're a new sensation
You got a better deal, and you took his invitation
You've been sitting on his lap and taking his dictation
Oh but mercy, we used to love all day and drive all night
Oh mercy, jealousy used to whet your appetite
Oh mercy, we were low as dogs and high as kites
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
Well my friends are indiscreet
And I sing myself to sleep
I don't mind the red wine
Or the pick-up line as long as it's cheap
Oh I ask you what's what and you say I'm all yours
I ask who your friend is, and you say it's Santa Clause
I ask you to come home, you say you're tired of being indoors
Oh but mercy, you know you signed on that dotted line
Mercy, you signed yours and I signed mine
Mercy, you said forever till the end of time
Why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
I said why must I plead with you darling
For what's already mine
---
Why Must I Plead
Richard Thompson