Second Hand News

Album: Rumours (1977)
Play Video
  • I know there's nothin' to say
    Someone has taken my place
    When times go bad
    When times go rough
    Won't you lay me down in tall grass
    And let me do my stuff

    I know I got nothin' on you
    I know there's nothin' to do
    When times go bad
    And you can't get enough
    Won't you lay me down in the tall grass
    And let me do my stuff

    One thing I think you should know
    I ain't gonna miss you when you go
    Been down so long
    I've been tossed around enough
    Aww, couldn't you just
    Let me go down and do my stuff

    I know you're hopin' to find
    Someone who's gonna give you peace of mind
    When times go bad
    When times go rough
    Won't you lay me down in the tall grass
    And let me do my stuff

    Do it, do it, do it

    I'm just second hand news
    I'm just second hand news, yeah
    I'm just second hand news
    I'm just second hand news, yeah
    I'm just second hand news
    I'm just second hand news, yeah
    I'm just second hand news
    I'm just second hand news, yeah
    Yeah Writer/s: Lindsey Buckingham
    Publisher: Hipgnosis Songs Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Jack from TexasI always thought it was Faulkner reference.
  • Doug from Buffalo, NySeventhmist, I think Lindsey is referring to the tendency of young ex-couples to often continue to have "hook-up" sex even when the relationship phase is over until they find "someone new". And after if the new one doesn't workout...
  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenHard to break up with someone if you're letting him "do his stuff" in the tall grass.
  • Tandy from HomeI love this song! Composer Lindsey Buckingham has said that he wanted to incorporate "Irish and Scottish folk influences," which I guess are expressed in the long fiddle break near the end and in what sound like mandolin accents at other moments in the "Rumours" album track. Does anyone know who played fiddle and mandolin on this studio recording? If you do, thanks for posting.
  • Camille from Toronto, OhI always liked this fast moving song. I don't get the Celtic feel at all. I also don't see that this is a 'dark' tune at all, just a typical break-up song about no longer being relevant in someone's life and the need to move on. The vocals are pure Fleetwood Mac. The reference to 'lay me down in the tall grass and let me do my stuff'. Okay, is that saying that they can just get it on to make the break-up easier? Or make the other person change their mind?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.