Recorded 1987
Released October 1987 on George … Read Full Bio ↴Written by David Gedge
Recorded 1987
Released October 1987 on George Best
Personnel
David Gedge - vocals, guitar
Peter Solowka - guitar
Keith Gregory - bass
Shaun Charman - drums
Notes Originally recorded April 1986 for a BBC Session, the song was recorded proper in 1987 for inclusion as the opening track on their debut album George Best.
Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft
The Wedding Present Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought we said all the things we had to say
Shawn said he saw you holding hands with your new friend
How does it feel to know you've just won again?
Don't give me that! Because you were seen!
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
Can I keep that book of yours and maybe this one too?
Was it really full? They must have queued there since half past 3
I didn't go, was it a good film? Well that's just me!
Don't give me that! Because you were seen!
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
Guess who I saw by your old house just the other day
That kid we used to think was mad, but now he looks okay
I think someone's here, look at the window, I can't make out who
Oh I'd love to stay but I've really got so many things to do
Don't give me that! Because you were seen!
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
The Wedding Present's song "Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft" appears to be a bitter commentary on unrequited love. The singer seems to be addressing a former lover who is now with someone new, someone who the singer views as inferior. The opening lines "Oh why do you catch my eye, then turn away?" suggest that the singer is still drawn to this person, despite the fact that they have moved on. The mention of a mutual friend having seen the former lover with someone else ("Shawn said he saw you holding hands with your new friend") only increases the singer's sense of inadequacy and frustration.
The fact that the former lover is now with someone who the singer considers to be of lesser value is emphasized in the chorus, where the refrain "everyone thinks he looks daft" is repeated. The singer seems to be projecting their own feelings of inferiority onto the new partner, accusing the former lover of being blinded by their own unrealistic dreams.
The final lines of the song, where the singer mentions a crazy kid who has now grown up to look okay, suggest that time has passed and life has moved on, but the singer is still haunted by their one-sided feelings for someone who has long since moved on. In short, "Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft" is a song about the kind of unrequited love that leaves a bitter aftertaste, long after the object of that love has moved on.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh why do you catch my eye, then turn aw
Why do you make eye contact with me and then immediately look away?
I thought we said all the things we had to say
I thought we had already discussed everything that needed to be discussed between us.
Shawn said he saw you holding hands with your new friend
Shawn mentioned that he saw you holding hands with your new companion.
How does it feel to know you've just won again?
How does it feel to know you've come out on top once again?
Don't give me that! Because you were seen!
Don't try to deny what happened, because it was witnessed by someone.
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
Although everyone may see him as foolish, he can still have his aspirations.
Can I keep that book of yours and maybe this one too?
May I keep both that book of yours and possibly this one too?
Oh sure, I'll bring them 'round tomorrow, if that will do
Yes, I can bring them around to you tomorrow if that works for you.
Was it really full? They must have queued there since half past 3
Was the venue actually at maximum capacity? People must have been waiting in line since 3:30.
I didn't go, was it a good film? Well that's just me!
I didn't attend, did you enjoy the movie? My curiosity is merely personal preference.
Guess who I saw by your old house just the other day
Who do you think I saw by your old residence just recently?
That kid we used to think was mad, but now he looks okay
The kid whom we believed to be crazy in the past, now appears to be fine.
I think someone's here, look at the window, I can't make out who
I believe someone is present, take a glance at the window, although I'm unable to identify who that person may be.
Oh I'd love to stay but I've really got so many things to do
Oh how I'd adore to spend more time with you, but I truly have many obligations to attend to.
Don't give me that! Because you were seen!
Don't try to deny what happened, because it was witnessed by someone.
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
Although everyone may see him as foolish, he can still have his aspirations.
Lyrics © Sentric Music
Written by: DAVID GEDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@slint69
Oh why do you catch my eye then turn away?
I thought we said all the things we had to say
Shaun said he saw you holding hands with your new friend
How does it feel to know you've just won again?
Don't give me that
Because you were seen
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream (ohh)
Can I keep that book of yours and maybe this one too?
Oh sure, I'll bring them round tomorrow if that will do
Was it really full? They must have queued there since half past three
Oh I didn't go, was it a good film? Well that's just me
Don't give me that
Because you were seen
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
Oh you can have a dream
Guess who I saw by your old house just the other day
That kid we used to think was mad, but now he looks okay
I think someone's here, look out the window, I can't make out who
Oh I'd love to stay but I've really got so many things to do
Don't give me that
Because you were seen
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream
Don't give me that
Because you were seen
Everyone thinks he looks daft but you can have your dream (ohh)
@davidrobinson2776
Love this band, thank you John Peel (yet again). Gedge’s lyrics are astounding.
@SuperTrentsteel
The lyrics are the worst part. Aside the first verse and chorus...the rest are banal as fuck. To me the real divider between a good and great band.
@hthomas999
David Gedge - yeh! 'oh why do you...?!' Great opening to my favourite track from one of my favourite bands of the 80s
@calldyuk1751
Brilliant band - very unique sound - the singer has the best voice ever.
@gillfogg2281
For you Shelly Stevenson, RIP, beautiful soul xx
@markbruce1342
the man is a total fucking genius who is still knocking it out the park. The youth of today will never care about music like this and thats fine by me
@jorgedebracamonte6350
Well, i care about this kinda music
@philsomers1135
easily one of my most favourite bands ...
@royfearon9495
Geo best album ever..!🙌
@talkinghead9664
Ant stead...totally agree,mark of a classic the songs still make you want to sing out loud n proud at 44😳