Barenaked Ladies

On The Lookout

2 Meanings

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On The Lookout Lyrics

On the lookout
The wind stopped
We chose this spot
To begin

When we looked out
The waves crashed
Smashing our past
Moving fast
Nothing lasts
Make it last

This all will pass
Just like us
Just like this spot
Don't miss this
We've only got one shot

Hold on to this rock face
It's dried and cracked
But grab on
Don't wait long
Longing to
Look out for you

This all will pass
Just like us
Just like this spot
Don't miss this
We've only got one shot

On the lookout
On the lookout
On the lookout
On the lookout

Submitted by

kingphilip On Mar 30, 2010

Tonight Is The Night I Fell Asleep At The Wheel

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Keep it true to the song

Fix what’s wrong, but don’t rewrite what the artist wrote. Stick to the official released version — album booklet, label site, verified lyric video, etc. If you’re guessing, pause and double-check.

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Songs have rhythm. Pages do too. Leave line breaks where they belong. Don’t smash things together or add extra empty space just for looks.

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Correct typos? Yes. Re-punctuating a whole verse because it ‘looks better’? Probably not. Keep capitalization and punctuation close to the official source.

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Let the lyrics be lyrics

This isn’t the place for interpretations, memories, stories, or trivia — that’s what comments are for. Keep metadata, translations, and bracketed stage directions out unless they’re officially part of the song.

Edit lightly

If two lines are wrong… fix the two lines. No need to bulldoze the whole page. Think ‘surgical,’ not ‘remix.’

When in doubt, ask the crowd

Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.

KingPhilip

Submitter

2010-03-30 20:59:50

2 Meanings

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by Guitarearl

14y ago

I think Jim Creeggan may have the most underrated voice out there.

It's an analogy of the time when a couple realizes that they want to spend the rest of their lives together, compared with an adventure-type scenario. You get the impression he thinks of their single lives as boats, and they came together, sailed together, and eventually the wind (desire to look elsewhere) brought them to "the lookout." That's where they decide to "look out" towards their future and come together for good. The commitment they both realize they're making has them look back to see their pasts of being apart, lonely, etc, dashed by waves and wind. And from there, it just moves so fast through the stages of love.

The whole bit about the rockface makes me think of the years after one is married. Tough to hang on to what you have, but in the end he recommits to caring for her.

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by dooglepop

15y ago

this song is saying take advantage of your opportunities no matter how slight.

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