I agree, this is a great one.
I think that it is about a friend or lover (I'm assuming its a lover by the way Lauri changes the dynamics to a softer tone on the line 'Who I love'.) who is acting in a way that he doesn't approve, or they are unable to get along with another - 'Times are gone for honesty'. Maybe the other person feels that they are in competition and he wants them to be equal - 'My victory is your defeat'.
He is walking away from the relationship and is saying that he has the power to do so and that he doesn't have to put up with it any more. It leaves the other person with a choice : Change or lose me.
The other person is acting as if they are not inclined to change, 'before you know the ride is over' and he is urging them on to make the change - 'It's up to you if you give it up.'
I agree, this is a great one. I think that it is about a friend or lover (I'm assuming its a lover by the way Lauri changes the dynamics to a softer tone on the line 'Who I love'.) who is acting in a way that he doesn't approve, or they are unable to get along with another - 'Times are gone for honesty'. Maybe the other person feels that they are in competition and he wants them to be equal - 'My victory is your defeat'. He is walking away from the relationship and is saying that he has the power to do so and that he doesn't have to put up with it any more. It leaves the other person with a choice : Change or lose me. The other person is acting as if they are not inclined to change, 'before you know the ride is over' and he is urging them on to make the change - 'It's up to you if you give it up.'