Crystal Gayle features prominently on the record, performing either solo vocal or singing in duet with Waits on many of the songs. For Coppola's film, Waits originally wanted to work with Bette Midler, who previously sang a duet with him on the Billie Holiday-esque track "I Never Talk to Strangers" from Foreign Affairs, but due to previous engagements, Midler was unavailable.
During the film/album project Waits met his wife Kathleen Brennan, an employee at the studio where it was recorded.
You Can't Unring A Bell
Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle Lyrics
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It'll cost ya to get out of this one, junior
Cause he's got big plans
That don't include you
Take it like a man
Cause you, you can't urning a bell, sucker
You'll need an attorney for this journey, junior
How's it feel
How do you like it in the slam
You're a little man in a great big town
Perhaps you were a little hasty
Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh
You can't take back the things you said, man
Cause you can't urning a bell, Junior
Ahhhh
Hurts don't it
Take it like a man
Get it through your head
Suffer
Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh
The song "You Can't Unring a Bell" by Tom Waits and Crystal Gayle portrays feelings of regret and the realization that actions have consequences. The singer is addressing someone who has made a mistake, committed a wrongdoing, or spoken too soon, and is now facing the consequences. The title of the song, "You Can't Unring a Bell," is used as a metaphor for the idea that once something has been done or said, it cannot be undone.
The lyrics make it clear that the consequences of the person's actions are severe - "It'll cost ya to get out of this one" - and that they will need a lawyer to help them face the consequences of their behavior. The chorus repeats the idea that "you can't unring a bell," emphasizing the idea that the person's actions have irreversible consequences.
The final lines of the song - "Get it through your head / Suffer" - suggest that the singer feels little sympathy for the person facing the consequences, and that they believe the person deserves what they are experiencing. Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of thinking carefully about actions and words, and acknowledging that there are always consequences to our behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't urning a bell, junior
You can't undo what's already been done, son.
It'll cost ya to get out of this one, junior
You'll pay a price to get yourself out of this mess, young one.
Cause he's got big plans
The person you're up against has grand ambitions.
That don't include you
And unfortunately for you, you're not part of those plans.
Take it like a man
You'll have to face the consequences and bear it like a mature adult.
Cause you, you can't urning a bell, sucker
You cannot reverse what's already been set into motion, loser.
You'll need an attorney for this journey, junior
You'll need a legal expert to help guide you through this troublesome path, young one.
How's it feel
So, how does it feel?
How do you like it in the slam
Do you enjoy being incarcerated?
You're a little man in a great big town
You're insignificant in this large city.
Perhaps you were a little hasty
Maybe you acted without thinking it through.
Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh
The singer is gloating and finding humor in the situation.
You can't take back the things you said, man
Once spoken, words cannot be unsaid, my friend.
Ahhhh
An expression of pain, displeasure or frustration.
Hurts don't it
Isn't it painful?
Get it through your head
Understand and accept the reality of the situation.
Suffer
Endure the consequences of your actions.
Lyrics © JALMA MUSIC
Written by: TOM WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Doktor Who
Great soundtrack and one of my favorite Waits's songs.