As a singer-songwriter, Tikaram scored her greatest hit to date with Twist in My Sobriety, from her debut album Ancient Heart in 1988, when she was 19 years of age. After two years she released her second album The Sweet Keeper, containing songs such as Sunset's Arrived and Harm in Your Hands.
Other albums released by Tanita are: Everybody's Angel, Eleven Kinds of Loneliness, Lovers in the City, Cappuccino Songs and Sentimental.
As of April 2009, Tanita is living in London, England, and is currently recording a new album. Tanita is also releasing free live versions of older songs on her blog. You can subscribe here: http://tanitatikaramblog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
We Almost Got It Together
Tanita Tikaram Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'll be your favorite thing
Stand by the river with hard-luck eyes
And I'll just be open and sing
I was only trying to surprise
I wish I was like the frog-princess
And I'd never tell you lies
They like to greet us with smiles
They like to tell us their good hostess
Had traveled a million miles
But you'd like it written closer
Yes, you'd like it written pure
If I told you this -
Would you miss my kiss?
No - you'd come right back for more
Oh, I'd like to be
What I want to be
But you want to carry on
But you need to take
What you have to take
But I'll still be here when you're gone
And there's a light by your window
And I'd like to capture you by there
And I'd like to hold you for all to see
But they don't really care
And if I said you're no peccadillo
Yes, I said you're a major thing
Would you stand by me?
At the corner dock
And say, "yes, this girl is the swing!"
Oh, I'd like to be
What I want to be
But you want to carry on
But you need to take
What you have to take
But I'll still be here when you're gone
And I'd like another cue
That's why I strain to see
And I'd like the best in you
'Cause you write the best in me
They were sure that I'd be burning
Yes -
So their tart swerve to here might be
But if I said "you're gold, inside",
Yes and if you were true to me
Would you hang around with that creepy smile
And crawl home back to me
Oh, I'd like to be
What I want to be
But you want to carry on
But you need to take
What you have to take
But I'll still be here when you're gone
In "We Almost Got It Together," Tanita Tikaram sings about nearly achieving a deep and meaningful relationship with someone, but ultimately falling short. The song opens with the idea of "almost getting it together," setting the stage for the disappointments that follow. The singer tells her partner that she will be his "favorite thing" if they can just make it work, and asks him to stand with her by the river while she sings openly to him. She wishes she could be like the frog-princess, who never tells lies.
The song then moves into a section where the singer talks about the difficult parts of life, where people greet others with fake smiles and try to act like perfect hosts, even when things are tough. The singer suggests that her partner wants things written more honestly and purely, but wonders if he would be able to handle the truth. She expresses a desire to be herself and fulfill her own desires, but recognizes that her partner also has needs that must be met. Despite knowing that he will eventually leave, she vows to remain by his side.
Line by Line Meaning
We almost got it together
We were so close to making our relationship work
And I'll be your favorite thing
I want to be the most important person in your life
Stand by the river with hard-luck eyes
Although I'm unhappy, I'll still be there for you
And I'll just be open and sing
I'll be honest and expressive with my feelings
I was only trying to surprise
I had good intentions even though things didn't work out
I wish I was like the frog-princess
I wish I was as pure-hearted and truthful as a fairy tale character
And I'd never tell you lies
I don't want to deceive you
And down by the soil of the hard-life
In the midst of difficult times
They like to greet us with smiles
People pretend to be friendly
They like to tell us their good hostess
People like to boast about their accomplishments
Had traveled a million miles
They have experienced many things
But you'd like it written closer
You want to know more about me with a more personal connection
Yes, you'd like it written pure
You want honesty and directness from me
If I told you this -
If I told you how I really feel
Would you miss my kiss?
Would you still desire me physically?
No - you'd come right back for more
You would still want me despite how I feel
Oh, I'd like to be
I wish I could be
What I want to be
The person I want to become
But you want to carry on
But you want things to continue as they are
But you need to take
You have to do what you think is best for you
What you have to take
What you need to do to move forward
But I'll still be here when you're gone
I'll still be around for you even if you leave
And there's a light by your window
I see a light on in your window
And I'd like to capture you by there
I wish I could hold you by the light
And I'd like to hold you for all to see
I want the world to know how much you mean to me
But they don't really care
But others are indifferent to our relationship
And if I said you're no peccadillo
If I told you that you're not just a minor thing
Yes, I said you're a major thing
You're a significant part of my life
Would you stand by me?
Would you support me?
At the corner dock
At a specific location
And say, "yes, this girl is the swing!"
And announce to the world that I'm the one you want
And I'd like another cue
I want another sign
That's why I strain to see
So I'm looking closely
And I'd like the best in you
I want the best version of you
'Cause you write the best in me
You bring out the best in me
They were sure that I'd be burning
Others expected me to fail
Yes -
Indeed
So their tart swerve to here might be
So their mocking turns to me might happen
But if I said "you're gold, inside",
But if I told you that you have a kind heart
Yes and if you were true to me
If you were loyal to me
Would you hang around with that creepy smile
Would you be with someone else even though it's not genuine?
And crawl home back to me
And come back to me later
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TANITA TIKARAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raymond Dmonte
This song brings back old memories..such a beautiful song...
James
This should have been a bigger hit! Thanks for posting!
Raymond Dmonte
Fantastic song ...this is good music we miss now days
Greywulf
I love everything you are, and everything you do. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing and very Merry Christmas 🎄❤
Tony Cairns
Still have this album on vinyl!
Raymond Dmonte
I Never stop listening to this song . the rythm of this music keeps you feeling good all the time ..
Beck Wolf
Haven’t heard this one in a while-thanks and merry Christmas!
κßšαƒdαr
Awesome, Stay Blessed
Richard Hyde
I love it!
Jimmy SMITH
Just a pleasure !!!
Due to "Stay at home", i rediscover your songs on my turntable.
Thanks for this.