Lyrics
Arnold Layne had a strange hobby
Arnold Layne had an unusual hobby
Collecting clothes moonshine washing line
He collected clothes from a makeshift moonshine washing line
They suit him fine
Those clothes suited his taste or style
On the wall hung a tall mirror
There was a tall mirror on the wall
Distorted view see through baby blue
The reflection in the mirror was distorted, showing a see-through image in baby blue
He done it oh, Arnold Layne
Arnold Layne performed an action (not specified) and the speaker acknowledges it
It's not the same takes two to know
Whatever Arnold did, it's not the same anymore; it requires two people to understand
Two to know two to know
Repetition emphasizing the need for two people to understand
Two to know why can't you see?
A question questioning why someone (possibly the listener) can't see the need for two people to understand
Arnold Layne arnold Layne
Repetition of Arnold Layne's name
Arnold Layne
-Now he's caught a nasty sort of person
Arnold Layne has encountered an unpleasant or immoral person
They gave him time doors bang, chain gang
This person received a punishment involving time, doors banging, and a chain gang
He hates it
Arnold Layne dislikes this punishment
Oh, Arnold Layne it's not the same
Repetition that Arnold Layne's situation is not the same as before, requiring two to understand
Takes two to know two to know
Repetition emphasizing the need for two people to understand
Two to know two to know
-Why can't you see? Arnold Layne
Questioning why someone can't see the need for two people to understand Arnold Layne's situation
Arnold Layne arnold Layne
Repetition of Arnold Layne's name
Arnold Layne, don't do it again
Repetition of Arnold Layne's name, with a plea not to repeat the action that led to the punishment
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