Once Bitten Twice Shy
The Angels Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well the times are gettin' hard for you little girl
I'm a hummin' and a strummin' all over God's world
You can't remember when you had your last meal
And you don't know just how a woman feels

You didn't know what rock and roll was
Until you met my drummer on the Grey tour bus
I got there in the nick of time
Before he got his hands across your state line, yeah

Now it's the middle of the night on the open road
The heater don't work and it's oh so cold
You're lookin' tired, you're lookin' kinda beat
The rhythm of the street sure knocks you off your feet

You didn't know how rock and roll looked
Until you caught your sister with the guys from the group
Halfway home in the parking lot
By the look in her eye she was givin' what she got

I said my, my, my, I'm once bitten twice, shy babe
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby

Oh, woman you're a mess, gonna die in your sleep
There's blood on my amp and my Les Paul's beat
Can't keep you home, you're messin' around
My best friend told me you're the best lick in town

You didn't know that rock and roll burned
So you bought a candle and you lived and you learned
You got the rhythm, you got the speed
Mama's little baby likes it short and sweet

I said my, my, my, I'm once bitten twice, shy babe
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby

Alright! I didn't know you had a rock and roll record
Until I saw your picture on another guy's jacket
You told me I was the only one
But look at you now, it's as dark as it's gone

I said my, my, my, I'm once bitten twice, shy babe
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby




I said my, my, my, I'm once bitten twice, shy babe
My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Angels' "Once Bitten Twice Shy" talks about a woman who's going through a rough patch in her life, surviving on the road with a rock and roll band. The singer of the song addresses the woman, telling her that he knows what it's like to be "once bitten twice shy", meaning he's been hurt before and is cautious about getting hurt again. The song talks about the woman's experiences with the band, including meeting the drummer on tour, catching her sister with the band, and being known as the best "lick" in town.


The song uses rock and roll imagery to describe the woman's experiences, with lines like "You didn't know what rock and roll was until you met my drummer" and "You didn't know that rock and roll burned, so you bought a candle and you lived and you learned". While on the surface, the song may seem like a simple tale of a woman caught up in the rock and roll lifestyle, there's an underlying theme about trust and betrayal, with the singer warning the woman that she's going to get hurt if she continues down this path.


Overall, "Once Bitten Twice Shy" is a classic rock song with a catchy chorus and memorable lyrics that have cemented its place in music history.


Line by Line Meaning

Well the times are gettin' hard for you little girl
You are struggling through difficult times


I'm a hummin' and a strummin' all over God's world
I am playing music all around the world


You can't remember when you had your last meal
You are starving and haven't eaten in a while


And you don't know just how a woman feels
You don't fully understand what it's like to be a woman


You didn't know what rock and roll was
You were not familiar with rock and roll music


Until you met my drummer on the Grey tour bus
You were introduced to rock and roll music by my drummer on tour


I got there in the nick of time
I arrived just in time


Before he got his hands across your state line, yeah
Before he made any advances on you


Now it's the middle of the night on the open road
It is late at night while travelling on an open road


The heater don't work and it's oh so cold
The heater is broken and it's very cold


You're lookin' tired, you're lookin' kinda beat
You look fatigued and exhausted


The rhythm of the street sure knocks you off your feet
The fast pace of life is overwhelming to you


You didn't know how rock and roll looked
You were not familiar with the appearance of rock and roll culture


Until you caught your sister with the guys from the group
You saw your sister with the musicians from the band


Halfway home in the parking lot
On the way home, you stopped in the parking lot


By the look in her eye she was givin' what she got
She was engaged in sexual activity


Oh, woman you're a mess, gonna die in your sleep
You are a disaster and may die in your sleep


There's blood on my amp and my Les Paul's beat
My guitar equipment is damaged and covered in blood


Can't keep you home, you're messin' around
You can't be kept at home because you are being unfaithful


My best friend told me you're the best lick in town
My friend told me you are the best sexual partner in town


You didn't know that rock and roll burned
You were not aware of the dangers of rock and roll culture


So you bought a candle and you lived and you learned
You tried to make the best of the situation and learned from it


You got the rhythm, you got the speed
You have the ability to keep up with the fast-paced rock and roll lifestyle


Mama's little baby likes it short and sweet
You prefer things to be quick and easy, without complications


Alright! I didn't know you had a rock and roll record
I wasn't aware that you were into rock and roll music


Until I saw your picture on another guy's jacket
I saw your picture on someone else's clothing


You told me I was the only one
You previously claimed that I was your only romantic interest


But look at you now, it's as dark as it's gone
But now you are clearly unfaithful and engaging in shady behavior


My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice, shy babe
I have been hurt before and am now cautious about getting hurt again


My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby
I have learned from my past mistakes and am now more cautious


My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice shy baby
I have been hurt before and am now more cautious


My, my, my, I'm once bitten twice, shy babe
I am cautious about getting hurt again




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ian Hunter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@anthonyk9092

Angels for ever!! It´s so sad that Doc has passed away. Hello from Germany.

@Gazman062

G'day from Western Australia Anthony. I met & spoke with Doc on a couple of occasions while he was touring here. Such a devastating loss for a life-long Angels fan. I bought a guitar off his guitarist in DNA, it's been played by Doc & is something I'll still own when I die. Cheerz. ;)=-

@virginiaschrapel6142

G'day from South Australia

@charliebucket8053

Much love from Australia 🇦🇺🖖

@lanabanana68

hello from Down Under :) yes,even sadder,and shameful,that rheir back catalogue has been deleted.

@guitarpicker1393

Aussie kid , grew up in Sydney burbs in the 80s. What a fkn band !!!🤘

@robertschrader3941

Absolutely the best version ever from Doc n the boys.

@shirleytownley8269

Still love and miss you Doc, may the angels in heaven enjoy your talent

@rhianjones1319

“The Angles i love your outstanding performance of Once Bitten Twice Shy very much indeed “

@johnnycarson8062

Slick costuming looks rockin'. Love the slidework, Bob's vai esque look and licks kick and then Doc. Amen.

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