Sweetness
Waifs The Lyrics


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There's nothing like a big old lie
A good record and a smoke to pass time by
Music gets me in the mood
It all kicks in and I sit back
And think about you

Sweetness to me
That's all you'll ever be
You mean stuff to me

I like the way you're wearing your smile
And you close your eyes
And you leave us for a while
Leavings all I ever do
I got a good pair of boots
And my guitar plays sweet tunes

Sing me a song before I go
The tours on the road and I won't be home
For three months or maybe more
I'll rent my room out when I'm gone




I'll call and let you know when I'll be him
And where I'm flying in from

Overall Meaning

The Waifs' 'Sweetness' is a slow, soulful song that speaks to the heartstrings of listeners who are missing someone who they care for deeply. The song starts with the singer admitting that sometimes they need to escape their reality and turn to music, cigarettes, and a good lie to help pass the time, thus showcasing the pain that the singer is going through. The music envelops them and helps with their thoughts, which inevitably lead back to the person they miss. The singer explains that the person is bittersweet for them and that nothing more can come of the feelings between them, but the person will always be a source of 'sweetness'.


As the chorus seamlessly transitions between the two verses, lyrics of the chorus further explain the feelings of the singer. The person they miss isn't just someone they had feelings for in the past. They hold a unique place in the singer's heart, and they have something special that can't be replicated or forgotten. This person, in the end, means more to them than anything else in the world. They know that maybe they can't be with them or make it work, but they will always think about them fondly, relishing in the sweetness of the memories.


Overall, the song speaks to anyone who has felt the deep and painful yearning for someone they can't be with. The Waif's soulful and emotive performance gives a visceral feeling to the listener, invoking the sadness and heart in the lyrics. However, the song doesn't leave the listener in a place of sadness - instead, they leave with a sense of catharsis, the understanding that it's okay to not have everything worked out, but the sweetness of the memories still lingers and can not be taken away.


Line by Line Meaning

There's nothing like a big old lie
There's no feeling quite like the temporary high of deceiving someone


A good record and a smoke to pass time by
An enjoyable activity of listening to music and smoking to while away time


Music gets me in the mood
Music sets the tone and gets me into a certain emotional state


It all kicks in and I sit back
The music fully takes over and I surrender to its effect


And think about you
The music reminds me of you and you cross my mind


Sweetness to me
Your presence means something sweet to me


That's all you'll ever be
You'll never be anything more than something sweet to me


You mean stuff to me
You hold some significance to me


I like the way you're wearing your smile
I appreciate the way you're presenting yourself with a smile


And you close your eyes
I notice you close your eyes, perhaps to savor the moment


And you leave us for a while
You drift off and become absent from the immediate surroundings


Leavings all I ever do
I'm only ever leaving; never staying for long


I got a good pair of boots
I'm equipped to travel, to step into different places and experiences


And my guitar plays sweet tunes
I have a musical instrument that allows me to express sweetness


Sing me a song before I go
Before I leave, please perform a musical piece for me


The tours on the road and I won't be home
I'm going on a tour and won't be able to come back for a while


For three months or maybe more
The duration of my tour will be no less than three months; possibly more


I'll rent my room out when I'm gone
My place of residence will be occupied by someone else while I'm away


I'll call and let you know when I'll be him
I'll update you on the exact date and time that I'm returning


And where I'm flying in from
I'll tell you which place I'll be returning from




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: GERALD RYDEL SIMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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