nessus@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Doug Alan) (12/07/89)
>> That's what I say > (But this is completely bogus: she sings "to the O that's bursting," or you > tell me what else: it is certainly not this!) No, I must insist that you are wrong. "That's what I say" is precisely what I hear. I came to this reading independently and eons before there were ever any "official" lyrics provided. |>oug "J is for JAMES who took lye by mistake"
katefans@chinet.chi.il.us (Chris Williams) (04/26/91)
Vickie here. I tried to find my original post about NTT but couldn't
find it. As long as the subject is fairly current, I'd like to jump
in again with my interpretation, mainly because to me it's a song
with a very important social and emotional message.
IMHO, it's a song about a battered woman who can't seem to break
away from the husband/lover (?) who's treating her so badly. She
finally comes to a decision that she must make the break to save
herself.
As with most Katesongs, we have to fill in our own details on background
information and situations. The lyrics I hear are slightly different from
either Peter Manchester's or Kate Bush Complete.
Not This Time
Kate Bush
> Oh with a mind that renders everything (in)sensitive
> What chance do I have here?
If the word is "sensitive" then she's talking about herself. She is a
person who sees things in a gentle way and the relationship she's in
threatens to make her into a hard and cynical person. If the word is
"insensitive" (which is what I hear), she's talking about _him_, but
the meaning is the same. How can she remain true to her gentle nature
while she's with a man who doesn't know the meaning of the word "gentle"?
> Put an end, put an end
> Put an end to every dream
She might as well forget any dreams she has of a decent and happy
life as long as she's in this relationship. _He's_ putting an
end to all her dreams.
> When you're near I fear you
> And I forget myself
The word is definitely "fear"..I hear it very clearly. Listen
closely to how she sings the word. Quavering..the character is
scared. She has to forget all about herself and become totally
subservient when he's around, or else she'll get beaten. Of course,
she might be abused no matter how she acts.
> Not this time baby
> Not this time
> Not this time baby
She's trying to get up the courage to leave him for good. Here she's
still a bit timid and unsure, though the second "baby" has a slight
hard edge to it. Almost cold and calculating.
> I dunno why I give in but I do every time
> And here I am a'wondering why I did it again
She's always given in to his demands, she's always been meek and she's
always gone back to him. For the first time she's questioning what's
wrong with her that she can't stand up for her own rights.
> Toor-ee-ah Toor-ee-oh
> Toor-ee-ah Toor-ee-oh
> Toor-ee-ohhhhh must I say
> To keep me going, to keep the shit away
This Irish phrase is sort of a personal mantra. Perhaps it reminds her
of good times in the past. Probably from before she met this jerk!
> I don't know what it is
> Every time you're near
> I fear you
> And I forget myself
>
> No, not this time baby
> Not this time you won't
> Not this time
> Not this time darling
He'll never abuse her again, she's finally made up her mind.
She's finally gotten up the courage to leave him and start her life anew.
The relief in her voice is apparent and the shouts of jubilation are
almost chilling in their intensity.
> C'mon, we all sing
Simple lyrics don't convey all that's going on in the last half of
the song. Her voice gets stronger and more confident, and there
are lots of voices swirling about. Actually, sometimes I hear the
shouts of jubilation at the end as screams of insanity and a possible
alternate interpretation is that she can't stand his beatings and abuse
anymore and kills him in a fit of passionate self-preservation. The
line "Not this time you won't" supports this. Who knows? Maybe Kate saw
_The Burning Bed_ right before writing this song.
Whatever, it's way too short and I love it.
Well, I think I'll go back into hiding for a few more weeks...
Vickie (one of Vickie'n'Chris)