At the end of January 1981, "Walking on Thin Ice" was released as a single and became Ono's first chart success, peaking at No. 58 and gaining major underground airplay. The single was released in February 1981 in the UK and reached number 35 on the chart.
The lyrics talk of the unpredictability of life and death — of "throwing the dice in the air" — and reach the conclusion, "when our hearts return to ashes, it will be just a story....". With the world in shock, a new poignancy was added to the already haunting yet highly danceable track.
Walking on Thin Ice
Yoko Ono Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm paying the price
For throwing the dice in the air
Why must we learn it the hard way
And play the game of life with your heart?
I gave you my knife
You gave me my life
Why do we forget what's been said
And play the game of life with our hearts?
With our hearts
I may cry some day
But the tears will dry whichever way
And when our hearts return to ashes
It'll be just a story
It'll be just a story
Walking on thin ice
I'm paying the price
For throwing the dice in the air
Why must we learn it the hard way
And play the game of life with your heart?
With your heart
With your heart
The lyrics to Yoko Ono's "Walking on Thin Ice" are about the consequences of taking risks and the fragility of life. The line "Walking on thin ice, I'm paying the price" suggests the danger of living life on the edge, of taking risks that might result in dire consequences. The line "For throwing the dice in the air" implies a sense of reckless abandon, a willingness to gamble with one's life, to throw caution to the wind. The song asks why we have to learn things the hard way, and why we must play the game of life with our hearts.
The lines "I gave you my knife, You gave me my life" suggest an exchange of power, a metaphorical passing of the baton. The knife symbolizes the danger that can come with love and commitment – that opening yourself up to another person can be both exhilarating and dangerous. The imagery of "a gush of wind in my hair" suggests a feeling of being swept away, of being caught up in the thrill of the moment. The song asks why we so often forget the lessons we learn in life, and why we continue to play games with our hearts.
The song's chorus sums up the theme of the song: "Walking on thin ice, I'm paying the price...Why must we learn it the hard way, and play the game of life with our hearts?" The lyrics suggest that we need to be more mindful of the risks we take in life, and that we need to protect our hearts from the pain and suffering that can come with playing games with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking on thin ice
Living life recklessly and with danger.
I'm paying the price
I must face the consequences of my actions.
For throwing the dice in the air
Taking a risk without considering the consequences.
Why must we learn it the hard way
Why do we have to suffer the consequences of our actions to learn from our mistakes?
And play the game of life with your heart?
Why do we gamble everything that matters to us when we play the game of life?
I gave you my knife
I gave you my weapon, my vulnerability.
You gave me my life
You gave me a reason to live, a purpose.
Like a gush of wind in my hair
Like an unexpected, uncontrollable force that fills my life with energy.
Why do we forget what's been said
Why do we disregard the lessons we've learned and repeat the same mistakes?
And play the game of life with our hearts?
Why do we keep putting everything we have on the line, risking our own well-being?
I may cry some day
I may face hardship and despair.
But the tears will dry whichever way
Regardless of the hurt and pain, it will eventually pass.
And when our hearts return to ashes
When everything we hold dear crumbles and is gone.
It'll be just a story
Ultimately, it will be nothing but a memory.
With your heart
Emphasizing that it's our hearts that we put at risk in the game of life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Yoko Ono
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kpitt1204
I have to admit that I thought it was dreadful when one of my friends, who went to NY's FIT brought this home during a break. He came home with all kinds of music that we were not listening to in my high school circle. This was like a bad accident. I thought it was dreadful, yet, could not stop playing it. Today, I am feeling it! Nice backing track for sure!
@n2fad00
Love this song and Video. Power to you Yoko to have live thourgh all the hurt and pain. I guess there is a master plan. Continue what you do. Create!!!
@Kinga1Kosinska
MASTERPIECE in every way!
@jamesr19820
love this sooo much! no denying it is a great song!
@mongrelhead1
When you are scary dangerous, you can do scary dangerous things. This is one of her best & most intense tracks. She really nailed it here! It should have been a # 1.
@hitthecasino
The dance remix not long ago DID hit number 1 !!!
@JavierLadislaoZelayaEnamorado
Really, really good!!!
@inonebt
SUPER VIDEOCLIP AND MUSIC A VERY ORIGINAL Lady!
@mastmedia2798
This is quite a creepy track. Far from perfect, but perfect for what it is. I love the last bit of dialogue. Yoko has a bit of fire under that icy calm, no? lol.
@Problembeing
<3 Yoko!