Night by Night
Navigating the Shadows: Joe Jackson's Insight into Life's Struggles
Lyrics
It's a beggars life, said the Queen of Spain
The Queen of Spain acknowledges the challenges of a beggar's life but warns not to convey this to a poor person.
But don't tell it to a poor man
A poor man has to struggle intensely for every source of excitement or happiness.
Cause he's got to kill for every thrill
For a poor person, obtaining pleasure or satisfaction involves significant effort, possibly even resorting to extreme actions.
The best he can
The poor do their utmost to enjoy life's thrills within their limited means.
Everywhere around me
The speaker observes a pervasive atmosphere of jealousy and chaos in their surroundings.
I see jealousy and mayhem
There's a prevalent sense of envy and disorder among people.
Because no men have all their peace of mind
No one possesses complete peace of mind to support them through challenges.
To carry them
Individuals lack the tranquility needed to cope with difficulties.
Well I don't really care
The speaker is indifferent to whether actions are right or wrong.
If it's wrong or if it's right
Personal morality is not a concern; the focus is on survival until a fortunate break arrives.
But until my ship comes in
Expresses a willingness to live day by day until luck or success arrives.
I'll live night by night
Emphasizes the commitment to live one day at a time until circumstances improve.
When the joker tried to tell me
The speaker dismisses advice suggesting they can succeed in an unsophisticated place.
I could cut it in this rube town
Rejecting efforts to label or confine the speaker in an uncultured location.
When he tried to hang that sign on me
Refusal to accept a derogatory label or stereotype placed on them.
I said take it down
Resisting coercion or attempts to categorize them negatively.
When the dawn patrol got to tell you twice
An authoritative group may try to enforce compliance through force.
They're gonna do it with a shotgun
Authority might resort to aggressive methods to assert control.
Yes, I'm cashing in this ten-cent life
The speaker intends to exchange their current low-quality life for a better one.
For another one
Ready to trade their current circumstances for improved conditions.
Well I ain't got the heart
Lacking the courage or determination to face another defeat.
To lose another fight
The speaker is not willing to undergo another loss or setback.
So until my ship comes in
Commitment to persistently live day by day until circumstances change.
I'll live night by night
Reiteration of the commitment to survive daily until a change occurs.
Well I ain’t got the heart
Reaffirmation of lacking the emotional strength to endure another defeat.
To lose another fight
The speaker is adamant about avoiding further losses or failures.
So until my ship comes in
Commitment to persistently live day by day until circumstances change.
I'll live night by night
Reiteration of the commitment to survive daily until a change occurs.
Night by night
Emphasizing the day-to-day existence and the repetition of this lifestyle.
Night by night
Repeating the emphasis on the daily, repetitive nature of existence.
Night by night
Repetition underlining the cyclical and routine aspect of living.
Night by night
Emphasis on the repetitive nature of living day by day.
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