Soldier's Daughter
Tonic Lyrics

It's the way he looks at you
The singer notices something about the way someone else is looking at the subject of the song.

That says to me
The singer is trying to interpret the look he's observed and communicate his own thoughts about it.

This isn't over
The singer believes that there is something unresolved in the situation that he's observing.

From the outside looking in
The singer is acknowledging that he is an observer without complete knowledge of the situation.

You see there's nothing sacred here
The singer is communicating a perception that there is no sacred or unbreakable bond or principle involved in the situation.

Nothing sacred
This is a restatement of the previous line, emphasizing the point that there is no sacrosanct bond in this situation.

You can bend
The singer is suggesting that it is possible to compromise or adjust one's actions in the situation.

But you can't break
Despite the possibility of compromise or adjustment, there is still a limit to what can be done in the situation.

For the reasons out of our control
There are factors influencing the situation that are beyond the control of those involved.

You try to make it roll
One or more parties involved are attempting to keep things moving along in the situation.

Like a dice away
The outcome of the situation relies on chance or uncertainty.

But you say that you're all empowered here
Someone is asserting themselves as having power or control in the situation.

This is obviously not clear enough
The singer is skeptical of the power dynamics being claimed.

To me
The singer is communicating his own lack of understanding of the situation.

Hey little girl keep dancing
The singer is giving advice or encouragement to someone.

Hey little girl keep dancing alone
This advice is specific to this individual and suggests that only they can control their own destiny.

'Cause there's not enough time in your day
The singer is emphasizing the importance of making the most of one's time.

To keep you here
The singer is suggesting that if the subject of the song doesn't prioritize their own goals, they risk losing sight of them.

The soldier's daughter
The song's subject is described as the daughter of a soldier. This may be significant or symbolic in some way.

Did your daddy
The singer addresses the song's subject directly, implying the existence of a close relationship or familiarity.

Did he make you feel bad
The singer is asking if the song's subject has had negative experiences in their past.

Did he poison your views
The singer is suggesting that the subject's father may have influenced their perspective or beliefs in a negative way.

With the water he was raised on
This metaphor suggests that the father's negative influence was part of his own upbringing.

Oh your father's son says hang on
Someone else is speaking to the song's subject, using poetic language that suggests familial connection or intimacy.

Hang on
This is a simple encouragement to persevere or wait for something better.

So over the hills he'd climb
The singer is referring to a specific person who would go to great lengths to see the song's subject.

Just to see her there in time
The person referred to in the previous line is motivated by seeing the song's subject in some context.

Just to watch the sun shine through her dress
The artist is using flowery language to describe the person's infatuation with the song's subject.

The sweet soldier's daughter
The artist is emphasizing the song's subject as the daughter of a soldier, using flowery language again to communicate an idealized image.