Persuasion
Tim Finn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tempted by the promise of a different life
Time has fled
There's a constant battle running through my head
I don't know what to do
'Cause I still believe
After all the foolish things that we've been through
Persuasion
Blind romance
There'll be no half measures given half the chance
But we never learn
Trusting in the fire while the cruel flame burns
And we need to rebuild
What was never there
What got left behind
After all the foolish things that we've been through
I can always make a start on something new
And I'll always be a man who's open to.....
Persuasion
And it's written in my heart
So that everybody could see it
And it's written in my soul
After all I still believe it
I still believe it
I still believe it yeah
I still believe
I don't know what to do, 'cause I still believe
After all the foolish things you put me through
I can always make a start on someting new
And I'll always be a man who's open to.....
Persuasion, persuasion
The song "Persuasion" by Tim Finn describes the struggle of moving on from a past love, while still being open to new possibilities. The opening lines talk about being tempted by the promise of a different life, suggesting that the singer is not fully content with their current situation. However, time has passed and there is an internal battle within the singer's mind. They don't know what to do because they still believe in love and are open to persuasion. The chorus emphasizes this idea of openness, highlighting the fact that the singer is willing to give a new relationship a chance despite previous heartache.
The second verse delves deeper into the idea of not learning from past experiences. The singer and their previous partner were trusting in the fire while the cruel flame burned, which could indicate that they were too caught up in the passion of their relationship to see its faults. They need to rebuild what was never there and what was left behind, which could suggest that their previous relationship was never truly stable or built on a solid foundation. Despite this, the singer still believes in love and is open to persuasion.
Overall, "Persuasion" is a song about the struggle of moving on from a past love and being open to new experiences. It acknowledges the foolish things that the singer has been through but remains hopeful for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I
We are two people
Tempted by the promise of a different life
We are both tempted by the possibility of a better life
Time has fled
Time has gone by quickly
There's a constant battle running through my head
I am constantly in conflict with myself
I don't know what to do
I am unsure of what to do
'Cause I still believe
Despite everything that has happened, I still believe
After all the foolish things that we've been through
Despite all of the mistakes we've made
I will always be a man who's open to.....
I am always willing to listen and consider other ideas
Persuasion
Being convinced to do or believe something
Blind romance
Foolish love without thought or reason
There'll be no half measures given half the chance
We will give our all if given the opportunity
But we never learn
We always make the same mistakes
Trusting in the fire while the cruel flame burns
We are putting our faith in something that is dangerous and likely to hurt us
And we need to rebuild
We must fix what is broken
What was never there
Trying to create something that never existed
What got left behind
What we lost as a result of our mistakes
I can always make a start on something new
I can begin again
And it's written in my heart
I believe this deeply
So that everybody could see it
I want everyone to know
And it's written in my soul
I believe it with my whole being
I still believe it
I still have faith
I still believe it yeah
I believe it more than ever before
I still believe
I have not lost faith
After all the foolish things you put me through
Despite all the mistakes you made
Persuasion, persuasion
Being convinced to do or believe something
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAKE FIELD, SANDI THOM, DUNCAN THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@coverversionoftheday9941
Richard Thompson turns 72 years old today. I have to say that I cannot think of another musician who has been as consistent for as long as RT. The guy just never whiffs; his recent releases are just as good as ever.
I have shared all of his better known tracks before so I thought I go a little deeper. My first encounter with this song was from his 1998 compilation when it was included as a new track inducement for completists. Thompson recorded it with his son, Teddy.
Then I spotted a cover from Tim Finn...interesting. I used to have this album but I didn't recall the cover. Wait! Finn's version is from 1993! Then I see Finn listed as co-writer. No way! These two don't run in the same circles or even the same hemispheres. I figured Finn must have changed a word or a line, just enough to get credit.
After some digging I found that Thompson had released this as an instrumental in 1991! It was for an Australian film that bombed and then the soundtrack bombed as well. It seems that Finn came up with the lyrics totally on his own; there was no collaboration. His only guide from Thompson lyrically was the song title, "Persuasion".
RT took to it so much that he performs with the Finn lyrics ever since and has even released another acoustic version. I will include a live performance of Thompson backing Finn on the song in the comments, as well as the original (sort of a non-descript Mark Knopfler type of song).
Now don't engage me in defining what is a cover or original on this one. It's too confusing.
https://www.facebook.com/CoverVersionOfTheDay
@NagoyaHouseHead
A rare and precious gem, a genuine heir to the Beatles legacy
@condos-crap
what a truly wonderful and rare masterpiece
@TheOldTapeArchive
True songcraft...rare and something to be appreciated.
@masonbaker2377
well said
@BTW...
Since 93, this song still brings me to tears following events of anguish and new beginnings.
That knowing of what is within, what wasn't to be, and what could be. - no self denial ... no blame.
Yes, even so today, and probably forever.
@coverversionoftheday9941
Richard Thompson turns 72 years old today. I have to say that I cannot think of another musician who has been as consistent for as long as RT. The guy just never whiffs; his recent releases are just as good as ever.
I have shared all of his better known tracks before so I thought I go a little deeper. My first encounter with this song was from his 1998 compilation when it was included as a new track inducement for completists. Thompson recorded it with his son, Teddy.
Then I spotted a cover from Tim Finn...interesting. I used to have this album but I didn't recall the cover. Wait! Finn's version is from 1993! Then I see Finn listed as co-writer. No way! These two don't run in the same circles or even the same hemispheres. I figured Finn must have changed a word or a line, just enough to get credit.
After some digging I found that Thompson had released this as an instrumental in 1991! It was for an Australian film that bombed and then the soundtrack bombed as well. It seems that Finn came up with the lyrics totally on his own; there was no collaboration. His only guide from Thompson lyrically was the song title, "Persuasion".
RT took to it so much that he performs with the Finn lyrics ever since and has even released another acoustic version. I will include a live performance of Thompson backing Finn on the song in the comments, as well as the original (sort of a non-descript Mark Knopfler type of song).
Now don't engage me in defining what is a cover or original on this one. It's too confusing.
https://www.facebook.com/CoverVersionOfTheDay
@coverversionoftheday9941
https://youtu.be/6MccrLH6xxg
@coverversionoftheday9941
https://youtu.be/dPP0IWPdI70
@sonicfrogdotnet
I play a bunch of Tim and Neil songs in my acoustic set. I'm more bass player than guitarist, so it took a while to get the rhythm of the guitar down. People really dig the song. And I love being the ambassador to the Finns here in Fresno.
@Carte-Blanche-NZ
Tim is such a wonderful talent. His songs are so honest.