Slip Away
The Commitments Lyrics

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What would I give for just a few moments
What would I give just to have you near
Tell me you would try to slip away somehow
Oh I need you darling I want to see you right now
Can you slip away, slip away
Slip away, oh I need you so
Oh love oh love, how sweet it is
When you still involve it

Let me tell you how sweet it is
Now I know it's wrong,
The things I ask you to do
But please believe me darling
I don't mean to hurt you
But can you slip away
Without him knowin' you're gone
Baby we could meet somewhere,
Somewhere we both are not known
Can you slip away, slip away,
Slip away-ay-ay-ay I need you so
Oh can you slip away baby
I'd like to see you right now darling
Can you slip away baby
'Cause I got to, got to see you

I feel a deep burning inside
Oh I wish you could slip away

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Slip Away" by The Commitments talk about a man who is desperately in need of a few moments with a woman he seems to be in love with. He wonders what he would give to have her near and asks her to try to slip away somehow so that they can see each other. He knows he is asking something wrong from her, but he just wants to see her right now. The man is in deep pain and feels a burning sensation inside, probably because he cannot see her. He tells her that he does not mean to hurt her but just wants to be with her for a while. He asks her to slip away without anyone knowing and tells her that they can meet somewhere where no one knows them. The man seems to be so in love that he does not care about the consequences of his actions.

The song is symbolic of the common notion that we tend to value moments of happiness more than anything in our lives. The man in the song is willing to do anything just to be with the woman for a few moments, even if it means breaking some rules. The pain he is feeling inside is relatable to anyone who has ever been in love and was not able to be with the person they wanted to be with. The lyrics of the song are raw with emotions and make listeners feel the longing that the man is feeling.

Line by Line Meaning

What would I give for just a few moments
I would give anything just to be with you for a short while

What would I give just to have you near
I would give anything just to have you close to me

Tell me you would try to slip away somehow
Promise me that you will find a way to sneak away

Oh I need you darling I want to see you right now
I desperately need to be with you, I want to see you immediately

Can you slip away, slip away
Can you escape and come to me

Slip away, oh I need you so
Please slip away, I need you very much

Oh love oh love, how sweet it is
Love is a beautiful feeling

When you still involve it
When you are still a part of it

Let me tell you how sweet it is
Allow me to explain how wonderful it is

Now I know it's wrong,
I realize it's not right

The things I ask you to do
The things I request of you