The Last Time
The Rolling Stones Lyrics


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Well I told you once and I told you twice
But ya never listen to my advice
You don't try very hard to please me
With what you know it should be easy

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know, oh no, oh no

Well, I'm sorry girl but I can't stay
Feelin' like I do today
It's too much pain and too much sorrow
Guess I'll feel the same tomorrow

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know, oh no, oh no

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know, oh no, oh no

Well I told you once and I told you twice
That someone will have to pay the price
But here's a chance to change your mind
'Cause I'll be gone a long, long time

Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know, oh no, oh no

Last time baby
To say no more
Baby I don't know
Well I don't know
Well, I don't know
I don't know
Well, I don't know
Well, I don't know
Well, I don't know
Well, I don't know
Well, I don't know
Well, I don't know
Well, I don't know

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones’ song “The Last Time” is about a relationship that is on the brink of ending. The lyrics suggest that the singer has repeatedly warned their partner about their actions but have gone unheard. The singer explains that the partner does not put in an effort to satisfy their needs, despite knowing what they want. The song includes a chorus, which could be interpreted in different ways - it could either signify the end of the relationship or be a final warning to the partner to change their ways.


The first stanza, “Well I told you once and I told you twice, But ya never listen to my advice, You don't try very hard to please me, With what you know it should be easy” showcases the struggle of communication in the relationship, where the partner seems to ignore the singer's advice and does not make any effort to meet their needs. The second stanza, “Well, I'm sorry girl but I can't stay, Feelin' like I do today, It's too much pain and too much sorrow, Guess I'll feel the same tomorrow” suggests that the singer has reached their breaking point and wants to end the relationship because it is causing too much pain and sorrow.


In the final stanza, “Well I told you once and I told you twice, That someone will have to pay the price, But here's a chance to change your mind, 'Cause I'll be gone a long, long time” is perhaps a final warning to the partner that if they do not take action, the relationship will end and they will pay the price. Overall, the song's lyrics express the pain and frustration felt when a relationship is not working out and the need to take action to move on.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I told you once and I told you twice
I have expressed my concerns to you on multiple occasions


But ya never listen to my advice
You have not taken my advice into consideration


You don't try very hard to please me
You are not putting forth effort to make me happy


With what you know it should be easy
You are aware of what I want, it should not be difficult to fulfill


Well this could be the last time
This may be the final occasion


Maybe the last time
It is possible that this is the end


I don't know, oh no, oh no
The outcome is uncertain and concerning


Well, I'm sorry girl but I can't stay
I apologize but I cannot stay in this situation


Feelin' like I do today
My current emotions are overwhelming


It's too much pain and too much sorrow
The pain and sorrow are too much to bear


Guess I'll feel the same tomorrow
I expect to feel the same way tomorrow


That someone will have to pay the price
There will be consequences for actions


But here's a chance to change your mind
You have a chance to alter the situation and outcome


'Cause I'll be gone a long, long time
I will not be present for a significant period of time


Last time baby
This may be the final occasion, my dear


To say no more
To express that there will be no further attempts to remedy the situation


Baby I don't know
I am uncertain


Well I don't know
I am unsure


Well, I don't know
I have no answer


I don't know
I am uncertain about the outcome


Well, I don't know
I am unsure


Well, I don't know
I have no answer


Well, I don't know
I am uncertain


Well, I don't know
I am unsure


Well, I don't know
I have no answer




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@charlesethomas5076

Brian absolutely kill this riff !!!!!!!

@daltonpoff5051

Hell yeah it makes the song he never got credit for it!

@gabriellaj.o.6180

A timeless classic and before my time.

@adamblackwelder1963

That opening guitar riff is worth the price of admission alone.

@darkgreenambulance

After all these years, (I`m 75), I still find this song very unusual and powerful - ignoring the original meanings in the lyrics etc etc -- so unusual having this constant sequence of chords - a repeating musical question mark - resolved but instantly, questioning again. As far as the lyrics go - well if you take the them out of context - how true they have been throughout time and listening after all these years, it certainly reinforces the fact that there have been thousands of "Maybe The Last Time"s which have ended up being the last time - ever to be lost, in so many areas. Ignore this if you wish -- it may be just as well to! Otherwise, just dwell on that for a moment as this song still haunts from the sixties.

@michael69040

It sounds to me that the production started out with a two measure figure (V for one and ½ bars and then back to the I for 2 counts of measure 2) The IV seems like it was forced into the tune.

@TheDenny24

Jones' guitar is hypnotic, it drives the song, Keith plays rhythm so he can sing backup and play the lead solo, back when they were a band and not competing with each other's egos.

@macgp44

One of the TOP 5 rock guitar licks of all time, no doubt. And this is of my TOP 5 favorite stones songs too. I was 10 years old when it came out. No one had yet coined the term earworm back then.

@johnpolkinghorn5625

The tone the Brian Jones gets out of the guitar ............. my favourite of their singles.

@hansklo2463

VOX "Phantom"

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