Direction
The Cribs Lyrics
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To say what you're feeling, but baby not for free
It's called direction
So many times I can see
That the way that you are is rubbing off on me
It's called direction
Did you realise it's not quite time
It's called direction
You're still in but then comes the evening
It's the best time of day, cause that's when you're on your own
It's called direction
Finding you face down I heard you say
No one needs to know anyway
The reasons why we're late
Finding you face down I heard you say
No one needs to know anyway
The things we did today
Holding on, but is that right?
You take me home but only on a night
It's called direction
Don't forget, we'll wait and see
They only ask because you are with me
Although we've got no direction
Finding you face down I heard you say
No one needs to know anyway
The reasons why we're late
Finding you face down I heard you say
No one needs to know anyway
The things we did today
The 2009 song Direction by The Cribs speaks of the paradox of leaving yet embracing the influence of someone who we leave behind. The song begins with the singer telling someone that it's okay to say what they feel, but not for free. The same person's behavior is rubbing off on them, and they call it direction. The singer tells them it's not quite time, perhaps to leave or go away, and they observe trains rolling by. The chorus has the singer saying, "Finding you face-down, I heard you say, no one needs to know anyway, the reasons why we're late," suggesting some subterfuge or some act of defiance. The singer seems to suggest the person they're singing to is holding on, although they feel somewhat unsure it's the right thing. The singer observes they take him home, but only at night. In the end, the singer reminds the person that people are only asking because they are with them, although they've got no direction, bringing back the central theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I may be leaving, but it's okay
Although I might be departing, there's no need to worry about me
To say what you're feeling, but baby not for free
You can express what's on your mind, but it'll cost you something
It's called direction
The act of moving forward with a plan or purpose
So many times I can see
Countless instances have shown me
That the way that you are is rubbing off on me
Your habits and behaviors are influencing me
Did you realise it's not quite time
Have you recognized that the moment isn't right
You look out the window, the trains keep rolling by
As you stare out the window, trains continuously move on
It's called direction
The purposeful path that we are taking
You're still in but then comes the evening
You're present, but when nighttime arrives, things change
It's the best time of day, cause that's when you're on your own
The evening hours are favored because you're alone at that time
It's called direction
The organized manner in which we approach things
Finding you face down I heard you say
After discovering you in a prone position, I overheard you mentioning
No one needs to know anyway
Nobody else has to know what occurred
The reasons why we're late
The causes behind our tardiness
Finding you face down I heard you say
After discovering you in a prone position, I overheard you mention
No one needs to know anyway
There's no need for anyone else to know what happened
The things we did today
The activities we engaged in today
Holding on, but is that right?
Continuing to hold on, but is it the correct thing to do?
You take me home but only on a night
You escort me back to my house, but solely under the cover of darkness
It's called direction
The purposeful route we have agreed upon
Don't forget, we'll wait and see
Don't forget to be patient, we'll soon find out
They only ask because you are with me
People are only curious because we are together
Although we've got no direction
Despite lacking a specific plan or purpose
Contributed by Jason T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.