2 Meanings
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Reasonable Man (I Don't Mind) Lyrics
I don't mind losing a girl to herself
A quiet love is better than none
And I don't mind losing a friend to a friend
If only to be a reasonable man
And I don't mind waiting if it's for the best
A careful heart is better than none
I don't mind painting my back with the past
Pictures in resolute pain
Smoothing the laugh o'er the lane
But if it happens to you
The same kind of deal
I recommend fire
Instead of the fool
I don't mind shaking your hand at the door
If only to be a resolute man (Pictures in resolute pain)
If only to be a resolute man
If only to be a resolute man
But if it happens to you
The same kind of deal
I recommend fire
Instead of the fool
I don't mind shaking your hand at the door
If only to be a resolute man (Pictures in resolute pain)
If only to be a resolute man
If only to be a resolute man
If only to be a reasonable man
If only to be a reasonable man
A quiet love is better than none
And I don't mind losing a friend to a friend
If only to be a reasonable man
A careful heart is better than none
I don't mind painting my back with the past
Pictures in resolute pain
Smoothing the laugh o'er the lane
The same kind of deal
I recommend fire
Instead of the fool
If only to be a resolute man (Pictures in resolute pain)
If only to be a resolute man
If only to be a resolute man
The same kind of deal
I recommend fire
Instead of the fool
If only to be a resolute man (Pictures in resolute pain)
If only to be a resolute man
If only to be a resolute man
If only to be a reasonable man
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
Interesting song, full of regret.
My take - it's about being too cautious and accommodating in life. You can lose your girl & your friends for want of speaking up and intervening, you can wait instead of taking action, you can shake someone's hand when you want to hit them.
The singer has done all of these things, because he reasons/rationalises that "a careful heart is better than none". But because of this he has suffered great pain, which he now carries around with him.
The twist is that he suggests that others NOT follow his example - "if it happens to you/the same kind of deal/I recommend fire/instead of the fool". In other words, don't be a cautious, hesitant fool who sees everything he values slip away - instead fight (apply 'fire'). The sadness in the song is thus that he is aware of his own characteristics of hesitation and inaction, but is unable to escape them despite the pain they cause.
THIS is well said ;) Good interpretation, I had kinda the same in mind.
THIS is well said ;) Good interpretation, I had kinda the same in mind.
Well done! Someone did better in English class than I.
Well done! Someone did better in English class than I.
First comment? Anyway, I think this could be about being in love with someone but having to pretend that you're not, because you're afraid, or know, that if you express your feelings you will (or might) lose the one you love. And so you love from a distance. However, you don't want the person you're in love with to act the same way because it's painful and it's not getting you anywhere, except seeming to be together from the outside. That's how I think of it anyway..
Well said. This song is VERY different from every other song of theirs I've heard. I like it too!
Well said. This song is VERY different from every other song of theirs I've heard. I like it too!
@brainisinthedirt lukewagoneer: That's because it's written by one Padma Newsome :) she also plays the guitar and provides back-up vocals on this song, as well as back-up vocals on All Dolled-up in Straps and violin and viola through the Cherry Tree EP. Funny story, I read your comment about this song being different a long time ago. It was just after I'd gotten the Cherry Tree EP and in the leaflet thing (??) with information on the album, I'd noticed how the last song was by someone else. Hence, when I started looking up the lyrics on this site and saw...
@brainisinthedirt lukewagoneer: That's because it's written by one Padma Newsome :) she also plays the guitar and provides back-up vocals on this song, as well as back-up vocals on All Dolled-up in Straps and violin and viola through the Cherry Tree EP. Funny story, I read your comment about this song being different a long time ago. It was just after I'd gotten the Cherry Tree EP and in the leaflet thing (??) with information on the album, I'd noticed how the last song was by someone else. Hence, when I started looking up the lyrics on this site and saw your comment, I had the explanation to why you felt it was so different! But... I hadn't made an account then and I was too lazy to do so just for that one small queation that you'd probably never see the answer to anyway :P anyway, I just heard this song for the first time in a few years and I remembered that one comment on it that I wanted to reply to years ago, so here it is! You might not read it, but I'll have some peace of mind, at least :o)