Now and Then
Townshend Pete Lyrics
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You can't do a thing about it
(repeat 3 times)
In you I saw someone that I recognized
Had no idea what was in your mind
I met your eyes and I was hypnotized
I let our lives become entwined
You can't do a thing about it
Now and then you see a soul and you fall in love
You can't do a thing about it
I feel so badly Darlin' all the time
I have tortured you so long
But I am helpless in this pantomime
I am aware that I was wrong
Now and then you see a soul and you fall in love
You can't do a thing about it
(repeat 3 times)
For though you knew that I was twice your age
To make you laugh seemed you enough
I thought we'd love and then and then you'd turn the page
I'd have to suffer your rebuff
And it was me who had the most to gain
Despite the fact that I now have lost
The only love that ever caused me pain
I feel like a double head was tossed
Now and then you see a soul and you fall in love
And you can't do a thing about it
(repeat 6 times)
In the song "Now and Then," Townshend Pete reflects on falling in love with someone he recognized, but had no idea what was in their mind. He fell in love with this soul, but he couldn't do anything about it. Despite being aware that he was wrong, he continued to torture this person and was helpless in this pantomime. Although he thought that they would love each other and turn the page, he had to suffer their rebuff.
This song is about the complexities of love and how sometimes, we fall in love with a soul without knowing much about the person. It acknowledges the pain and frustration that comes with unrequited love and trying to make something work that was never meant to be. It also shows how we often have the most to gain from love, but it's not always a fairytale ending.
Line by Line Meaning
Now and then you see a soul and you fall in love
Occasionally, you come across an individual that captivates your heart and you cannot resist their allure.
You can't do a thing about it
Despite your desire to control your emotions, you cannot help but feel enamored by this person.
In you I saw someone that I recognized
When I first met you, I felt as if I had known you before.
Had no idea what was in your mind
I was unaware of your thoughts and feelings towards me.
I met your eyes and I was hypnotized
Upon gazing into your eyes, I became entranced by your beauty and charm.
I let our lives become entwined
I allowed our paths to converge and become intertwined with one another's.
I feel so badly Darlin' all the time
I feel remorseful and guilty for the way I have treated you.
I have tortured you so long
My actions have caused you immense pain and suffering for a prolonged period of time.
But I am helpless in this pantomime
I feel powerless to control the situation and our emotions towards each other.
I am aware that I was wrong
I acknowledge my wrongdoings and the harm that I have caused you.
For though you knew that I was twice your age
Although you were aware of our significant age difference,
To make you laugh seemed you enough
I found it fulfilling to bring joy and laughter into your life, and thought that was enough to keep us together.
I thought we'd love and then and then you'd turn the page
I assumed our love would be fleeting, and that you would eventually move on from me.
I'd have to suffer your rebuff
I anticipated the pain I would feel upon your rejection.
And it was me who had the most to gain
Despite the risks, I felt I had the most to gain from pursuing this relationship.
Despite the fact that I now have lost
However, now that the relationship has ended, I realize that I have lost more than I initially gained.
The only love that ever caused me pain
You were the only person I loved who caused me emotional pain and distress.
I feel like a double head was tossed
I feel conflicted and uncertain, as if I am being pulled in two different directions.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: PETER DENNIS BLANDFOR TOWNSHEND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@candyaslice8563
Way way way underrated- ppl don't know abt this cd! :(
@johnrush521
The problem with Psychoderelict is that it was way ahead of it's time ....... That's just how Pete rolls ! Great album IMO
@Tracey..H
NO, sadly it was 1993 and the who were way past their peak. Nirvana and the like dominated the charts. I think this is his best solo work and not for mass consumption. still nobody listens to this. i heard the intial sale was 200,000 units
@7777srd
One of the most heart wrenching, beautiful songs ever written.
@MindAnimations
It should have been a success. I loved that album. Now and Then.
@dersh65
Saw Pete do Psychoderelict in 1991. One of the greatest concerts I've ever been to..and that's saying a lot..been to over 300 concerts...the Who over 25 times.
@neilpye6089
It came out in 1993 in 1991 he had a broken wrist so unless you are capable of time travel it was totally impossible to see him play live in 1991
@MindAnimations
Yep, I saw Psychoderelict in 1991 as well... Smaller venue in Oakland, Ca. Amazing show. Of course I already had every song memorized... so when he sang, "Now and Then" I sang too... I know he couldn't hear... but I knew. One of the greatest poets alive. Nothing against the Who days... but the solo albums are _so_ much more to me at least. Love. Love. Love.... did I mention, LOVE, Pete Townshend.
@neilpye6089
Psychoderilict was 1993 not 1991
@therealdmt
I really like this song. I think the main reason the album failed was that radio didn't/couldn't support it. Radio was switching over to the Classic Rock format, where they play a song only once a day. A band like The Who can never be "alternative" anymore (and thus get on the mainstream new music stations), and they can't get a classic rock station to play their new songs more than once a day, so the new songs quickly fade away, known only by the band's more hardcore fans.