Bishop's song "Separate Lives," from the movie White Nights, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1985, losing out to "Say You, Say Me" from the same film. Bishop wrote it about his breakup with actress Karen Allen, who also appeared in Animal House.
Patrick Bateman, the fictional anti-hero from Bret Easton Ellis' American Psycho, is an avowed fan of Stephen Bishop.
Save It For A Rainy Day
Stephen Bishop Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drives a big car too
And when I hold her in my arms
I never know what to do
She's got everything she needs
What does she need me for
Just a crazy fool comin' back for more
And I know she's no good
Everybody says-a watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
Well I'd leave in a minute if I only could
But when she touches me
It makes me feel so good
My heart's in her hand this is sure a mess
There's no way I say "no"
When she says "yes, yes, yes!"
Take me, shake me and tell me this ain't a dream
Everybody says-a watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
Save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Oh, I'm talking to you)
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Ah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Ah-ah, yeah yeah I'm talking to you)
In Stephen Bishop's song "Save It For A Rainy Day," he sings about a woman who is attractive, drives a luxurious car, and has everything she needs, but still wants him around, despite knowing that she's no good for him. He's aware of her tendency to break hearts, but he can't resist her when she touches him. Whenever he tries to leave her, she pulls him in, and he's left in a sure mess. He knows he should stay away from her, but he just can't help himself, even though he acknowledges that she'll end up breaking his heart like it's a toy. In the chorus of the song, he advises himself to "save it for a rainy day," implying that he should stop investing his emotions in this woman and save them for when he'll need them the most.
The song's lyrics perfectly capture the struggle of a man who can't resist a woman who he knows will do him no good in the long run. He's fully aware of her destructive tendencies, but he can't shake off the temptation of being with her. The motif of "saving it for a rainy day" is the perfect metaphor for his advice to himself. The rainy day can be seen as a future time of need, during which he'll need to rely on his emotional reserves to get through whatever life throws his way. The song's message is that it's better to save one's feelings for a more worthy cause than to waste them on somebody who doesn't deserve them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well she's kinda pretty
The singer is describing the appearance of a woman he's involved with
Drives a big car too
The woman he's involved with is financially well-off
And when I hold her in my arms
I never know what to do
The singer is unsure of how to handle his feelings for the woman
She's got everything she needs
What does she need me for
Just a crazy fool comin' back for more
The artist considers himself foolish for pursuing a woman who doesn't seem to need him
And I know she's no good
Can't blame her but I know I should
Everybody says-a watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
The artist is aware that the woman he's involved with is trouble and will hurt him
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
The singer warns himself to be cautious and save his emotions for a more opportune time
Well I'd leave in a minute if I only could
But when she touches me
It makes me feel so good
The singer is conflicted between wanting to leave the woman and being drawn to her physically
My heart's in her hand this is sure a mess
There's no way I say "no"
When she says "yes, yes, yes!"
The artist feels powerless to resist the woman's advances despite knowing it's a bad idea
Take me, shake me and tell me this ain't a dream
Everybody says-a watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
The artist is uncertain if his feelings are real or just infatuation, and others warn him about the woman's behavior
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
The artist reiterates his warning to himself to be careful with his emotions
Save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
The singer emphasizes the importance of saving his feelings for a more appropriate time
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Ah, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
You better (save it) save it for a rainy day
(Ah-ah, yeah yeah I'm talking to you)
The artist repeats his warning while acknowledging the difficulty of following through with it, and directs it towards himself
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN BISHOP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vivian B.E.C
"Save It For A Rainy Day"
Well, she's kind of pretty
Drives a big car too
And when I hold her in my arms
I never know what to do
If she's got everything she needs
What does she need me for?
I'm just a crazy fool
Comin' back for more
And I know
She's no good
Can't leave her
But I know I should
Everybody says watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
Well I'd leave in a minute
If I only could
But when she touches me
It makes me feel so good
My heart's in her hands
This is a sure a mess
There's no way I say no
When she says, "yes yes yes"
Take me, shake me
And tell me this ain't a dream
Everybody says watch out boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You better save it for a rainy day
You better save it for a rainy day
Daniel Cronan
From one of my all time favorite singer-songwriters, & features a KILLER Eric Clapton guitar solo!!!
Well, she's kind of pretty
Drives a big car, too
And when I hold her in my arms
I never know what to do
She's got everything she needs
What does she need me for
I'm just a crazy fool
Comin' back for more
And I know she's no good
I can't leave her
But I know I should
Everybody says watch out, boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You'd better save it for a rainy day
You'd better save it for a rainy day
Well, I'd leave in a minute, if I only could
But when she touches me
It makes me feel so good
My heart's in her hand
This is surely a mess
There's no way I say no
When she says yes, yes, yes
Take me, shake me, & tell me
This ain't a dream
Everybody says watch out, boy
She'll break your heart like it was a toy
You'd better save it for a rainy day
You'd better save it for a rainy day
(KILLER Eric Clapton guitar solo)
You'd better save it for a rainy day
You'd better save it for a rainy day.........................
Penny Nickels
I think I'm old ๐๐คฃ๐๐คฃ
I STILL love this album! Back when music was, actually music.
Benjamin Carter
Regardless of your age
Keep listening and enjoying ๐
CJ
You're not old, #pennynickels5216! You just appreciate good music.
Robert George Yokoyama
I was 5 years old when this song came out. I still love it 47 years later.
Robert White
This is a timeless classic from a great era !
Michael Moore
Wow, haven't heard this tune in years. Brings back amazing memories....The 70's were truly an amazing time...peace
Vivian B.E.C
I miss that era so much...
Eloy Martinez
Love the Rhodes piano, love the horns, love the marimba solo (same on Starbuck, Moonlight Feels Right). What a great song,
Carl D Howe
Great singer/songwriter. Miss this kind of music. No good music nowadays. Always got the real classic music to fall back on.
Benjamin Carter
One of my favorites from Stephen Bishop. Thanks for posting