Crashing by Design
Townshend Pete Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Nothing must pass this line
Unless it is well defined
You just have to be resigned
You're crashing by design
You once believed that crazy accidents
Were happening to you
You were chasing a capricious wind
Whenever bad luck and trouble
Happened to pursue you
The dice would surely save your skin
But when you look back you must realize
That nothing in your life's divine
Everything that's ever befallen you
Happened simply 'cause it crossed your mind
You're crashing by design
Nothing must pass this line
Unless it is well defined
You just have to be resigned
You're crashing by design
In your single-roomed flat in a courtyard building
You sit alone just like a broken toy
Where's your mother, where's your lover
And where are the children
Are you a man or still a boy?
Who left you behind, or did you run
From the crush of so many options?
Now you know the special despair of the man
Discussed, debated and offered for adoption
Nothing must pass this line
Unless it is well defined
You just have to be resigned
Another man without a woman
Dropped like a useless tool no longer required
A man who longs for the stifling
Milk flowered bosom, a fool
Who's no longer desired

Another man without a woman
Too many rages have cost you this time
Another man among a hundred children
You're just a child who is lost in time

You're crashing by design
You're crashing by design
It all happens by design
It all happens by design
You're crashing by design

It all happens by design




It all happens by design
You're crashing by desig

Overall Meaning

"Crashing By Design" by Townshend Pete seems to be a reflection on the notion that everything in our lives happens for a reason, even if it may not seem that way. The lyrics suggest that we create our own destiny, and our actions, thoughts, and desires can lead us to the life we have. The opening line "Nothing must pass this line / Unless it is well defined" suggests that we need to have clear boundaries and understand what is expected of us if we want to avoid unexpected and potentially negative outcomes in our lives.


The second verse describes a person who believed in crazy accidents and that bad luck and trouble followed them around. However, upon reflection, they realize that everything that has happened in their life was a result of their thoughts and actions. The lyrics suggest that we are not mere victims of circumstance but that we are in control of our own lives. The line "But when you look back you must realize / That nothing in your life's divine" reinforces the idea that we are responsible for the situations we find ourselves in.


The final verse seems to describe a man who has lost everything and is left alone with his thoughts. The song ends with the repetition of "You're crashing by design," reinforcing the idea that everything happens for a reason, even if it may not be immediately apparent to us.


Line by Line Meaning

Nothing must pass this line
There is a set standard that must not be crossed


Unless it is well defined
Unless it is clearly understood and agreed upon


You just have to be resigned
You must accept what is inevitable


You're crashing by design
Your life is falling apart on purpose


You once believed that crazy accidents
You used to think bad things happened by chance


Were happening to you
Were occurring with no specific reason


You were chasing a capricious wind
You were pursuing something unpredictable


Whenever bad luck and trouble
Whenever negative circumstances


Happened to pursue you
Continuously followed you


The dice would surely save your skin
You relied on luck to get you through tough situations


But when you look back you must realize
Upon reflection, it's evident that


That nothing in your life's divine
The events in your life were not predetermined or influenced by a higher power


Everything that's ever befallen you
All the things that have happened to you


Happened simply 'cause it crossed your mind
Occurred because you allowed them to


In your single-roomed flat in a courtyard building
In a one-room apartment in a closed-off area


You sit alone just like a broken toy
You are lonely and feel discarded


Where's your mother, where's your lover
Where are your family and significant other


And where are the children
Where are the offspring you may have had or wanted


Are you a man or still a boy?
Are you mature or still inexperienced


Who left you behind, or did you run
Did someone abandon you or did you choose this situation


From the crush of so many options?
From too many possibilities to handle


Now you know the special despair of the man
You are experiencing a unique type of hopelessness


Discussed, debated and offered for adoption
Considered by others and possibly rejected


Another man without a woman
Another man who is single


Dropped like a useless tool no longer required
Feeling like you are no longer valuable to society


A man who longs for the stifling
A man who desires the suffocating


Milk flowered bosom, a fool
A man who foolishly desires the nurturing of a mother figure


Who's no longer desired
Who is no longer wanted or needed by someone else


Too many rages have cost you this time
Too much anger and outrage have led to current circumstances


Another man among a hundred children
Another man who is lost in a sea of others like him


You're just a child who is lost in time
You feel like you have not grown up or progressed in life


It all happens by design
Everything is happening on purpose


You're crashing by design
You are intentionally spiraling downwards




Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: PETER DENNIS BLANDFOR TOWNSHEND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found