Things Change
The Blue Tones Lyrics

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How will you ever learn,
When your hands are tied and your bridges burned?
When will you get to see that your only option lies with me?
Must you be kicked right down, ripped from limb
Taught to drown, but told to swim
The way to be, the way to act is
Not to preach what you practice
Things change, but a part of its present formula remains

Things needn't be so if you let me through
Things needn't be so if you let me through
Things needn't be so if you let me through

It must be true, he said I found you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Bluetones' song "Things Change" convey a message about feeling stuck and hopeless in a situation where one's hands are tied and bridges are burned. The chorus suggests that there is a solution to this feeling of powerlessness, but the listener must be open to the idea of change. The singer urges their audience to let them through and allow for a shift in thinking and behavior. The song touches on themes of growth, transformation, and the ability to break free from negative cycles.

The first verse tells the story of someone who seems to be struggling to learn from their mistakes, and perhaps even resisting change. They are compared to someone who is being ripped apart and forced to swim, which speaks to a lack of agency or control over their own life. The second verse speaks more generally about how we are taught how we should act and behave, but this advice may not always be good or helpful. The singer implies that the listener should be more willing to be open-minded and willing to consider alternative viewpoints or ways of being.

Overall, "Things Change" is a song about the struggle for growth and the power of choice. The message is that we can break free from negative patterns when we are ready and willing, and that change is possible if we are open to the possibility.

Line by Line Meaning

How will you ever learn,
You won't be able to gain knowledge or experience if you're stuck in a difficult situation.

When your hands are tied and your bridges burned?
When you have no control over your situation and have lost important connections in your life.

When will you get to see that your only option lies with me?
You'll realize that I'm the only solution to your problems when you've exhausted all other options.

Must you be kicked right down, ripped from limb
Do you need to suffer extreme physical and emotional pain before accepting help?

Taught to drown, but told to swim
You're expected to survive on your own, but given no resources or support to do so.

The way to be, the way to act is
Society expects you to behave in a certain way to be accepted and successful.

Not to preach what you practice
Don't advertise or promote your good deeds or accomplishments, but keep them to yourself.

Things change, but a part of its present formula remains
Although everything is constantly changing, there are aspects that stay the same and define the current situation.

Things needn't be so if you let me through
Your situation could improve significantly if you allow me to help.

It must be true, he said I found you
The artist is confident that they've found the solution to the listener's problems.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD DANIEL CHESTER, ADAM PATRICK DEVLIN, MARK JAMES MORRISS, SCOTT EDWARD MORRISS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@roberthavercroft3340

1y↑2

This album is one of the best of the 90s and this song is one of its best.

@StrangeAttractor

15w

I was travelling solo in Japan circa 2010, way up in the mountains on a lake plateau with a couple of guesthouses on the fringes. It was a beautiful early summer's day, I sat on a boulder by the lakeside and put my headphones in and hit shuffle. This song came on as I was tripping out on the light shining on the water, then coming down the road I see this cool looking Japanese guy with a guitar slung over his back. He waved hello, I waved back, we spent the afternoon singing all the British classics he knew. Things change, but a pattern is present, the formula remains...