Pounding
The Doves Lyrics


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I can't stand by
And see you destroyed
I can't be here
And watch you burn up
Lie for the moment
And lie as a decoy
So does it matter
If I give in easy?
So why
Is it so hard to get by?

And I say
We so down
But it's now or never baby
We don't mind
If this don't last forever
See the light
But it won't last forever
Seize the time
Cause it's now or never baby

Let's leave at sunrise
Let's live by the ocean
I don't mind
If we never come home at all
Steal the morning
So set in motion
In and out of love
And institutions
Cause I know
This can't last for long

And I say
We so down
But it's now or never baby
We don't mind
If this don't last forever
See the light
But it won't last forever
Seize the time
Cause it's now or never baby

So why
Is it so hard to get by?
And I say...

We so down
But this can't last forever




We don't mind
Cause it's now or never baby

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Doves’ song Pounding express a sense of urgency and desperation to escape from the current state of being. The singer cannot stand to see their loved one destroyed or watch them burn up, so they choose to lie for the moment as a decoy. However, they question whether it is worth it to give in easily. The lyrics repeatedly question why it is so hard to get by, suggesting that the current situation is difficult to navigate.


The song includes a call to action, to seize the time because it is now or never. The lyrics suggest that there is a limited time to take action and make a change. The idea of leaving at sunrise and living by the ocean conveys a sense of escape and freedom. The singer does not mind whether they ever come home again, indicating a willingness to leave everything behind and start anew. The lyrics point out that this cannot last forever, suggesting that the time for action is now.


Overall, the lyrics of the song express a sense of urgency and a desire to break free from the current situation. The repeated questioning of why it is so hard to get by indicates that the singer is struggling to find a solution. The call to action gives a sense of hope that things can change, but also emphasizes that time is limited.


Line by Line Meaning

I can't stand by
I cannot remain passive


And watch you destroyed
And witness your downfall


I can't be here
I cannot stay in this situation


And watch you burn up
And see you suffer


Lie for the moment
Deceive temporarily


And lie as a decoy
And mislead as a distraction


So does it matter
Does it really make a difference


If I give in easy?
If I surrender quickly?


So why
So what is the reason


Is it so hard to get by?
Is life so difficult to endure?


And I say
And I declare


We so down
We are feeling very low


But it's now or never baby
But we have to act now


We don't mind
We are not worried


If this don't last forever
If this is not a permanent situation


See the light
Recognize the opportunity


But it won't last forever
But it will not be available for long


Seize the time
Make the most of the moment


Cause it's now or never baby
Because this is the time to act


Let's leave at sunrise
Let's depart early in the morning


Let's live by the ocean
Let's reside near the sea


I don't mind
I am not concerned


If we never come home at all
If we never return to our previous life


Steal the morning
Make the most of the early hours


So set in motion
So let's start it


In and out of love
Experiencing love and heartbreak repeatedly


And institutions
And conformist structures


Cause I know
Because I am aware


This can't last for long
This will not continue for an extended period


But this can't last forever
But this situation cannot continue indefinitely




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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