Helpless
Sugar Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Another time time after time
You make me feel so helpless I
I never tried to change your mind
I keep it to myself it's

Sometimes I've got to tell you
Is it this time I'll tell you
We've got to go to places
Somewhere I don't mind it's special

And now you find as time goes by
You're left with nothing
Meaning much
The meaning I will have to try
To take your mind to places

I wish that I could help you
But you seem less than helpless
I always tried to tell you
Someday that it'd seem so special

Time after time what's on your mind
You make me feel so helpless I
You never tried what's on your mind
You make me feel so helpless I
I feel so helpless I

You're left alone with something
And I hope for you it's one thing
That something you and yours can
Hold and hold as something special

And now you find as time goes by
You're left with nothing meaning much
The meaning I will have to try




What's on your mind so helpless I
I feel so helpless I

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sugar's song Helpless explore the feeling of helplessness in a relationship that is falling apart. The repeating phrase "time after time" reinforces the idea that this is not a new feeling, but rather a recurring one. The singer feels like they can't change their partner's mind, and so they keep their thoughts to themselves. They long for a special place where they can go and feel like things are different, but the relationship continues to deteriorate.


As the song progresses, the singer reflects on the fact that as time goes by they are left with nothing that means much. They are left feeling helpless as they try to take their partner's mind to places that might make things better, but nothing seems to work. The final lines suggest a sense of resignation and acceptance that the relationship may not be salvageable, and the singer hopes that their partner will find something special to hold onto.


The lyrics of Helpless are open to interpretation and could be related to many different kinds of relationships. However, overall the song seems to express a sense of helplessness and resignation about a relationship that is ending.


Line by Line Meaning

Another time time after time
Repeatedly, yet another instance


You make me feel so helpless I
Your actions cause me to feel powerless and incapable


I never tried to change your mind
I have never attempted to sway your decisions


I keep it to myself it's
I conceal my true feelings, it is a secret


Sometimes I've got to tell you
On occasion, I must express myself to you


Is it this time I'll tell you
Perhaps now is the moment to speak up


We've got to go to places
There are destinations we must visit


Somewhere I don't mind it's special
An extraordinary location that I don't mind going to


And now you find as time goes by
As time passes, you realize


You're left with nothing
You are now left with nothing


Meaning much
That which held significant value


The meaning I will have to try
I must make an effort to restore the significance


To take your mind to places
To encourage your thoughts to wander


I wish that I could help you
I desire to assist you


But you seem less than helpless
However, you appear to require minimal aid


I always tried to tell you
I have consistently made attempts to inform you


Someday that it'd seem so special
That one day it would be extraordinary


Time after time what's on your mind
Repeatedly, what are you pondering?


You make me feel so helpless I
You make me feel powerless and incapable


You never tried what's on your mind
You have never attempted to enact your thoughts


I feel so helpless I
I feel powerless and incapable


You're left alone with something
You are now alone with something


And I hope for you it's one thing
I hope it is one specific thing that holds value for you


That something you and yours can
That something that you and your loved ones can


Hold and hold as something special
Grasp and cherish as something of great value




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BOB MOULD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@TheRAGE154

Another time time after time
You make me feel so helpless I
I never tried to change your mind
I keep it to myself it's
Sometimes I've got to tell you
Is it this time I'll tell you
We've got to go to places
Somewhere I don't mind it's special
And now you find as time goes by
You're left with nothing
Meaning much
The meaning I will have to try
To take your mind to places
I wish that I could help you
But you seem less than helpless
I always tried to tell you
Someday that it'd seem so special
Time after time what's on your mind
You make me feel so helpless I
You never tried what's on your mind
You make me feel so helpless I
I feel so helpless I
You're left alone with something
And I hope for you it's one thing
That something you and yours can
Hold and hold as something special
And now you find as time goes by
You're left with nothing meaning much
The meaning I will have to try
What's on your mind so helpless I
I feel so helpless I



All comments from YouTube:

@moequity134

The most (sadly) underrated album of my lifetime. I hold this masterpiece as nothing short of genius. The record is promem

@janetbutler3200

Absolutely

@jeffreypeace2696

Bob is a genius...his best work was with Sugar.

@eggsngritstn

perhaps the most perfect pop song of the 1990's. Bob Mould is so underrated.

@janetbutler3200

Absolutely!

@eewright2001

Used to watch 120 minutes on Sunday night on MTV way back in 92 or 93 just to hear this song. Great song!!!

@mundaneallaround

The best thing on TV in the 90s.I would be sleeping in home room cause of staying up to watch 120 minutes every night.

@realmisteranderson

Yeah man MTV actually played music then !

@SerialGothQueens

Takes me back to a very specific time just before I entered my 20s every time I hear this. Sugar was terrific. Bob Mould is a national treasure.

@cadge

Love sugar, still the loudest band i ever saw, 1992 in Northampton England. Then later a few more times. Also saw Husker Du in Paris and that was one of the best gigs i ever saw. Bob Mould....a legend!

More Comments

More Versions