Something Up My Sleeve
Suzy Bogguss Lyrics


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I can't go on - the feeling's gone - I don't know where
I reach down deep inside my heart - there's nothing there
I know I can't stay with him - but I don't want to leave
I wish I had something up my sleeve

I can't give in, but I can't win, 'cause she won't fight
She tells me that nothing's wrong and nothing's right
No matter what I offer, it's never what she needs
I wish I had something up my sleeve

I can't pretend

She's sorry, I can tell

I wish I could

I know the feeling well

It's just no good

Looks like the spell is broken

My magic words

It's not working anymore

My sleight of hand

We've been through it all before

My song and dance

If I can make it through the door, it's over





I wish I had the power to make us both believe
I wish I had something up my sleeve

Overall Meaning

In Suzy Bogguss's song Something Up My Sleeve, the singer is expressing feelings of hopelessness and desperation in a failing relationship that they don't want to leave. The singer is unable to find a reason to stay with their partner but feels stuck, and as if they are lacking something that would help them make the decision to leave. The lyrics "I can't go on - the feeling's gone - I don't know where / I reach down deep inside my heart - there's nothing there" illustrate the singer's feelings of emptiness and confusion, unsure of what they want and unable to find clarity within themselves.


The repeated phrase "I wish I had something up my sleeve" acts as a metaphor for a solution or way out of the stagnant and unhappy situation. The singer longs to have some sort of magical power or trick up their sleeve that would either fix the relationship or provide a clear answer to their dilemma. However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that there is no easy solution and that the relationship has run its course, as illustrated in the lines "If I can make it through the door, it's over / I wish I had the power to make us both believe".


Overall, Something Up My Sleeve is a poignant and relatable song about the pain and uncertainty of a dying relationship, and the desire to find a way out or to fix what is broken.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't go on - the feeling's gone - I don't know where
I feel lost and uncertain, as if there's no way forward.


I reach down deep inside my heart - there's nothing there
I've dug deep for answers within myself, but can't seem to find anything meaningful.


I know I can't stay with him - but I don't want to leave
I recognize that this relationship isn't good for me, but I'm still attached to it.


I wish I had something up my sleeve
I wish I had a trick or solution to make everything better.


I can't give in, but I can't win, 'cause she won't fight
I refuse to give up, but it feels like I can't win because my partner won't cooperate.


She tells me that nothing's wrong and nothing's right
My partner is so distant that they have no opinion or connection to our relationship.


No matter what I offer, it's never what she needs
I'm putting forth effort to make things better, but it seems like nothing I do makes any difference.


I know the feeling well
I empathize with my partner: feeling stuck, alone and searching for answers.


It's just no good
Things aren't working out; this is a hopeless situation.


Looks like the spell is broken
It seems like the magic has worn off and things aren't as charming as they used to be.


My magic words
The charm or wit that I once had is no longer effective.


It's not working anymore
I feel like I keep trying the same things but nothing is improving.


We've been through it all before
This isn't the first time we've been through problems like this.


My song and dance
The usual actions or behaviors I use to resolve things aren't working anymore.


If I can make it through the door, it's over
If I can find a way to leave the relationship completely, it will be the end of this frustrating cycle.


I wish I had the power to make us both believe
I wish there was a way to restore the magic and energy of our relationship.


I wish I had something up my sleeve
I wish there was a solution or new tactic to try..




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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