Bank Holiday Monday
Stephen Duffy & The Lilac Time Lyrics
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You don't have a lot to say
You're waiting for payday
You can't wait to get away
This boring town gets you down
There's no one to come around
Why wait in for someone
Railway station
Train on the eastbound track
Girls without make up
Keeping me coming back
When you're old you can't be told
That anywhere is paved with gold
Why wait in for something
That's not as good as you?
You must take heart
You're heading for the sky
You don't have to ask why
Wystan Hugh Auden
John Winston Ono Lennon
Left middle England
Where they suffocate everything
They got away and so could you
What else is there to do?
Why wait in for something
That's not as good as you?
May Day Bank Holiday Monday 2002
The opening line "Bank Holiday Monday, you don't have a lot to say" sets the tone for Stephen Duffy and The Lilac Time's melancholic song. The lyrics delve into the mundanity and frustration of a life in a small town where there is no excitement or connection with anyone. The singer of the song is waiting for payday and can't wait to get away from the boring town that gets them down. The loneliness is palpable as the lyrics state, "there's no one to come around."
As the song progresses, the singer questions why they should wait in for someone who is not as good as them. The lack of opportunities and excitement in the town is highlighted with the mention of the railway station and the train on the eastbound track. The mention of the girls without makeup keeping the singer coming back hints at a sense of loneliness and desperation.
The lyrics take a turn towards hope when the singer is advised to take heart and is reminded of great artists like Wystan Hugh Auden and John Winston Ono Lennon who left middle England to pursue their dreams. The final verse asks why wait for something that's not as good as you and encourages the listener to overcome their circumstances and pursue their dreams.
Overall, "Bank Holiday Monday" is a poignant exploration of the frustration and loneliness of life in a small town and the hope that one can break free and pursue their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Bank Holiday Monday
Today is a public holiday
You don't have a lot to say
You're feeling bored and have nothing to talk about
You're waiting for payday
You're low on funds and can't wait for your next paycheck
You can't wait to get away
You're eager to leave this mundane town
This boring town gets you down
You're fed up with the monotony of this place
There's no one to come around
You're feeling lonely and miss having company
Why wait in for someone
Why bother waiting for someone who isn't as good as you?
Who is not as good as you?
Why waste your time with someone inferior to you?
Railway station
You're at the train station
Train on the eastbound track
There's a train heading east
Girls without make up
You notice some natural beauty in the girls around you
Keeping me coming back
You're drawn to the allure of those around you
When you're old you can't be told
As you age, it becomes harder to change your ways
That anywhere is paved with gold
The grass isn't always greener on the other side
You must take heart
You need to remain hopeful
You're heading for the sky
Your future looks bright
You don't have to ask why
You don't need to question why things are going well
Wystan Hugh Auden
This poet is mentioned as a symbol of inspiration
John Winston Ono Lennon
This musician is mentioned as a symbol of inspiration
Left middle England
These role models left their hometown for bigger things
Where they suffocate everything
Their hometown stifled their creativity
They got away and so could you
You too can escape your hometown and find success
What else is there to do?
Why not pursue your dreams instead of staying in this town?
Why wait in for something
Why settle for something that isn't as good as you?
That's not as good as you?
You deserve more than just a mediocre life
May Day Bank Holiday Monday 2002
The specific date of the song's inspiration
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STEPHEN DUFFY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Oughton
I was extremely lucky to have been at that gig!!! What a night indeed...
echodek5
Thank you for posting this. I saw him in Toronto Canada September 1998. A truly amazing show. I wish he would tour North America.
VerticalMixStudios
Greatness!!
Antonymes Music
What a magical night this was.
carpog
Person wearing beat up trainers is a straggler from the rave tent having consumed a couple of disco biscuits. He crashes out in the folk tent and has the most blissful comedown ever.