Music Review: Barenaked Ladies "It's All Been Done"
Barenaked Ladies
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It's All Been Done
Album: Stunt
Year: 1998
Tyler Stewart sees breakups as normal in the affable "It's All Been Done."
Aloof guitars open the single, setting a compliant tone. In the first verse, he says they've been dating for nearly five years now. To him, it's like he's known her forever. They were with friends and had talked throughout the night. He insisted on driving her home. However, she said that they would all their lives to enjoy each other's company. They didn't have to rush. He thought they would bask in every moment of meeting someone perfect. In hindsight, he realizes they should've done what he wanted to do. Otherwise, they wouldn't be stuck in a decaying relationship. She didn't care while he thought it was something special.
In the chorus, he says it's nothing new. Most of his relationships have ended or begun in the same way.
In the second verse, his girlfriend told him she liked the first couple months together. She would go back to it in a second. Now, they are a boring, ordinary couple. They decide to break up. However, he says it's not quite over.
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, he asks if he were to put his hand on her shoulders and tell her that he loves her, would she still see it as an overdone gesture.
The chorus is sung again.
A breezy guitar solo follows.
In the third verse, he wonders how he would react if he saw her by chance. She had always wanted to be a contestant on a game show. He isn't certain how he would feel. She'll be another girl he used to date.
The chorus is sung again to close the song.
Stewart has had plenty of experience, regarding dating. He's had the clingy, the rude, the sweet, and now, the perpetually bored. He realizes it's better to be out than staying in a relationship that isn't working. Whereas the usual breakup song finds the person upset, he's not the least bit bitter or angry. It wasn't meant to be. He's not going to let it define him.
Stewart'a gracious vocals are hopeful. He believes the right woman will come along. It just wasn't her.
The genial guitar arrangement is supportive, offering friendship and boosting his spirits.
The happy-go-lucky "It's All Been Done" takes a new angle at breakup songs and gracefully moves on.
Album: Stunt
Year: 1998
Tyler Stewart sees breakups as normal in the affable "It's All Been Done."
Aloof guitars open the single, setting a compliant tone. In the first verse, he says they've been dating for nearly five years now. To him, it's like he's known her forever. They were with friends and had talked throughout the night. He insisted on driving her home. However, she said that they would all their lives to enjoy each other's company. They didn't have to rush. He thought they would bask in every moment of meeting someone perfect. In hindsight, he realizes they should've done what he wanted to do. Otherwise, they wouldn't be stuck in a decaying relationship. She didn't care while he thought it was something special.
"I met you before the fall of Rome/And I begged you to let me take you home/You were wrong, I was right/You said goodbye, I said goodnight."
In the chorus, he says it's nothing new. Most of his relationships have ended or begun in the same way.
"It's all been done/It's all been done/It's all been done before."
In the second verse, his girlfriend told him she liked the first couple months together. She would go back to it in a second. Now, they are a boring, ordinary couple. They decide to break up. However, he says it's not quite over.
“I knew you before the west was won/And I heard you say the past/Was much more fun/You go your way, I go mine/But I'll see you next time."
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, he asks if he were to put his hand on her shoulders and tell her that he loves her, would she still see it as an overdone gesture.
"And if I put my fingers here, and if I say/"I love you, dear"/And if I play the same three chords/Will you just yawn and say."
The chorus is sung again.
A breezy guitar solo follows.
In the third verse, he wonders how he would react if he saw her by chance. She had always wanted to be a contestant on a game show. He isn't certain how he would feel. She'll be another girl he used to date.
"Alone and bored on a thirtieth-century night/Will I see you on The Price Is Right?/Will I cry? Will I smile?/As you run down the aisle?"
The chorus is sung again to close the song.
Stewart has had plenty of experience, regarding dating. He's had the clingy, the rude, the sweet, and now, the perpetually bored. He realizes it's better to be out than staying in a relationship that isn't working. Whereas the usual breakup song finds the person upset, he's not the least bit bitter or angry. It wasn't meant to be. He's not going to let it define him.
Stewart'a gracious vocals are hopeful. He believes the right woman will come along. It just wasn't her.
The genial guitar arrangement is supportive, offering friendship and boosting his spirits.
The happy-go-lucky "It's All Been Done" takes a new angle at breakup songs and gracefully moves on.