Jacqueline was seventeen, working on a desk
When Ivor peered above a spectacle
Forgot that he had wrecked a girl
Sometimes these eyes forget the face they're peering from
When the face they peer upon
Well, you know that face as I do
And how in the return of the gaze
She can return you the face that you are staring from

It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money

Gregor was down again, said, "Come on, kick me again"
Said, "I'm so drunk, I don't mind if you kill me
Come on, you gutless
Yeah, I'm alive, oh, I'm alive
Oh, I'm alive and how I know it
Oh, but for chips and for freedom, I could die"

It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money

It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we need the money
It's always better on holiday, so much better on holiday
That's why we only work when we, we need the money


Lyrics submitted by blood_and_the_ice

Jacqueline Lyrics as written by Nicholas John Mccarthy Alexander Paul Kapranos Huntley

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Jacqueline song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

47 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    I know that Jacqueline was Paul's ex-girlfriend.

    The chips in the bit about Gregor are actually chips that you eat (French fries for Americans), not gambling chips or whatever. Anyway, he's getting beat up by neds (Glaswegian thugs) and is too drunk to fight back, so he just let's them continue. As sOCS479 said, go to the site and you'll see the lyrics in a story form.

    Manchineon January 09, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.