Community Centre Lyrics
And I'm sitting in a circle telling my secrets to strangers
And they say I've got a problem but I don't know that I've got one
Cause you never know that you've got one til someone comes along and spots one
They say it's the hardest step but it's the first one of many
And my feet are stuck to the ground and I can't seem to take any
I could tell them that I just came for the free cup of tea and the biscuit
And make my way toward the door but I don't think I can risk it cause
And we all know the words but we just sing them out of tune
Cause I woke up the next morning with my face down in the rubble
And everyone was drinking singles I'd pour myself a double
I just needed a little bit more
And now I'm sitting here with my name badge and I'm listening to the same sad
Stories about their old dads and making all of the same bad
Turnings at their crossroads and drowning all their sorrows
Without any lifeguard around
I never wanted to stay but the morning came so soon
And we all know the words but we just sing them out of tune
And oh no
And I'll see you all same time same place next week
But before we go our separate ways there's just one thing I'd like to say
Is anybody up for a drink?
Fairly clear meaning, but a beautiful, eloquent expression of the idea.
He's at an alcoholics anonymous (or similar) meeting at his local community centre, describing how he's slowly coming to terms with the concept that he has an alcohol problem and reminiscing on how it all started.
He never fully accepts this idea in the song, as seen in the last line, but comes very close at times to taking that first, 'hardest step' of admitting he has a problem as seen in the line "I could tell them that I just came for the free cup of tea and the biscuit, and make my way toward the door but I don't think I can risk it" as in he can't risk not doing something about his drinking, and he goes on to reflect how he "never wanted to stay", presumably referring to staying til the early morning at the local pub.