The Ballad of Sal Villanueva
Taking Back Sunday Lyrics
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I just know what you've been up to
And this dial tone is agreeing with everything I've had in mind
And you've got your high as a kite tricks in the bag
So as his eyes move down past your shoulders
And the shades start moving in the same direction
Don't worry, I won't say a thing
I hope he takes his time
And I hope he keeps your eyes closed tight
And I hope that when he leaves,
You still smell him on your sheets
Because I can, I can
I hope he takes his time
And I hope he keeps your eyes closed tight
And I hope that when he leaves
You still smell him on your sheets
Because I can, I can
If I could get to sleep
Then, I guess you could stop pretending
Because if I didn't think you loved it
Well then I wouldn't play along
And you've got your high as a kite tricks in the bag
I hope he takes his time
And I hope he keeps your eyes closed tight
And I hope that when he leaves
You still smell him on your sheets
Because I can, I can
I hope he takes his time
And I hope he keeps your eyes closed tight
And I hope that when he leaves
You still smell him on your sheets
Because I can, I can
You're down for selling me out
While I play dumb
But it's cool because I let you, you thought I'd never catch you
You said we're only friends, yeah, real good friends, I bet, I bet
You're down for selling me out
While I play dumb,
But it's cool because I let you, you thought I'd never catch you
You said we're only friends, yeah, real good friends, I bet, I bet
You're down for selling me out
While I play dumb,
But it's cool because I let you, you thought I'd never catch you
You said we're only friends, yeah, real good friends, I bet, I bet
Forget your legs around my hips
Forget your hands pressed on my back
Forget all the letters that I kept
This is another I won't send
Forget your lips, your eyes, your thighs
Forget our one last kiss goodbye
Forget me staking out your house
Forget I've got you figured out
Forget your legs around my hips
Forget your hands pressed on my back
Forget all the letters that I kept
This is another I won't send
The lyrics of Taking Back Sunday's song The Ballad Of Sal Villanueva primarily talk about a rocky relationship between the two individuals. The singer knows what the other person has been up to and doesn't trust them completely. The dial tone agrees with everything the singer has in mind, implying that they might have caught the other person lying before. The other person seems to have some tricks up their sleeve to keep the singer hooked, as they have their "high as a kite tricks in the bag."
Then the lyrics take a turn toward jealousy, as the singer talks about another man who has caught the other person's attention. Despite knowing what is happening, the singer doesn't want to say anything and instead hopes that the other person will remember the man's scent on their sheets when he leaves. The singer seems to be playing along with the other person's games of deception, so they can't be accused of not reciprocating the other person's feelings.
The song ends with the singer asking the other person to forget everything they had between them, legs around the hips, hands pressed on the back, and all the letters they wrote that weren't sent. The repetitive nature of the lyrics works well to portray the emotional turmoil the singer is going through.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not that I don't trust you
I do not mistrust you.
I just know what you've been up to
I am aware of your activities.
And this dial tone is agreeing with everything I've had in mind
The phone's silence confirms my suspicions.
And you've got your high as a kite tricks in the bag
You have your intoxication schemes ready in your mind.
So as his eyes move down past your shoulders
As he looks down past your shoulders.
And the shades start moving in the same direction
The drapes move in the same direction.
Don't worry, I won't say a thing
Do not worry, I will not say anything.
You can't blame a girl for sticking to what she knows
You cannot fault someone for sticking to what they are familiar with.
I hope he takes his time
I desire him to take his time.
And I hope he keeps your eyes closed tight
I wish for him to keep your eyes shut tightly.
And I hope that when he leaves,
I expect that when he departs,
You still smell him on your sheets
You still perceive his scent on your sheets.
Because I can, I can
Because I am capable.
If I could get to sleep
If I could fall asleep.
Then, I guess you could stop pretending
Then, you would cease pretending.
Because if I didn't think you loved it
For if I believed you did not love it.
Well then I wouldn't play along
Then, I would refuse to participate.
You're down for selling me out
You have no qualms selling me out.
While I play dumb
As I feign ignorance.
But it's cool because I let you, you thought I'd never catch you
But it is acceptable because I allowed it, and you believed you would not get caught.
You said we're only friends, yeah, real good friends, I bet, I bet
You stated that we are only friends, good friends, I suppose.
Forget your legs around my hips
Put out of your mind your legs around my hips.
Forget your hands pressed on my back
Disregard your hands on my back.
Forget all the letters that I kept
Disregard all the letters I kept.
This is another I won't send
This is another I will not send.
Forget your lips, your eyes, your thighs
Put out of your mind your lips, eyes, and thighs.
Forget our one last kiss goodbye
Disregard our final goodbye kiss.
Forget me staking out your house
Disregard me monitoring your house.
Forget I've got you figured out
Forget that I have your profiled.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Adam Lazzara, Edward Reyes, John Nolan, Mark O'Connell, Shaun Cooper
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind