The Same Situation

Album: Court And Spark (1974)
Play Video
  • Again and again the same situation
    For so many years
    Tethered to a ringing telephone
    In a room full of mirrors
    A pretty girl in your bathroom
    Checking out her sex appeal
    I asked myself when you said you loved me
    "Do you think this can be real?"

    Still, I sent up my prayer
    Wondering where it had to go
    With heaven full of astronauts
    And the Lord on death row
    While the millions of his lost and lonely ones
    Call out and clamor to be found
    Caught in the struggle for higher position
    And the search for love that sticks around

    You've had lots of lovely women
    Now you turn your gaze to me
    Weighing the beauty and the imperfection
    To see if I'm worthy
    Like the church
    Like a cop
    Like a mother
    You want me to be truthful
    Sometimes you turn it on me like a weapon though
    And I need your approval

    Still, I sent up my prayer
    Wondering who was there to hear
    I said "send me somebody
    Who's strong and somewhat sincere"
    With the millions of the lost and lonely ones
    I called out to be released
    Caught in my struggle for higher achievements
    And my search for love
    That don't seem to cease Writer/s: Joni Mitchell
    Publisher: Royalty Network
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 3

  • Cyndey Ramsay from AlGreat song
  • G S.m. from BrasilI don't know... this song is really deep to me.

    "Still I sent up my prayer
    Wondering where it had to go
    With heaven full of astronauts
    And the lord on death row
    While the millions of his lost and lonely ones
    Cali out and clamour to be found
    Caught in their struggle for higher positions
    And their search for love that sticks around"

    When she says "lord on death row" it's like God on death row. And I'm not talking about a religious God, but the concept of God as being something bigger... I mean, looking at everything around you as part of something bigger. Knowing that all things have a meaning and reason to be.

    But then, when all you care about is to fullfill superficial desires: this to me is putting "God" on death row. To turn the mistery and gradiosity of life into cars, girls, gold: this is putting "God" on death row.
    She's looking for higher achievments though, and love.

    "You've had lots of lovely women
    Now you turn your gaze to me
    Weighing the beauty and the imperfection
    To see if I'm worthy
    Like the church
    Like a cop
    Like a mother
    You want me to be truthful
    Sometimes you turn it on me like a weapon though
    And I need your approval"

    Too me this fits not only a guy looking for a pretty girl, but society in general creating beauty standards. Also, It feels like the struggle of someone trying to fit in and feeling judged; and as much as being judged feels horrible, they still care for their approval at the end of it. It pictures the need of being accepted, the need of external support.
    Everyone have felt this at some point...
  • Les from SfA sad profound song about the emptiness of a loser guy.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

Tim McIlrath of Rise AgainstSongwriter Interviews

Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath explains the meanings behind some of their biggest songs and names the sci-fi books that have influenced him.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Kristian Bush of Sugarland

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.

Yacht Rock Quiz

Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction

Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.