Change of Pace

Song Meaning

Bernard Fanning's "Change of Pace" isn't just a plea for novelty; it's a study in the push and pull between stagnation and the allure of escape. The opening verse paints a picture of claustrophobia, a mind numbing monotony where even the act of walking becomes a tedious exercise. The 'ghost town' isn't necessarily a physical place, but a state of mind, a feeling of being trapped in a life devoid of genuine connection or excitement. The repeated line, 'I count the steps in every mile / No better way to pass the time' is a telling sign of the narrator’s desire for something more. This desire is contrasted by the comfort of the familiar, as seen in the request for connection in the chorus: 'Come on over, we can meet and talk about it on Sunday.' The chorus itself presents a fascinating ambiguity. The invitation to 'meet and talk about it on Sunday' suggests a desire for resolution, for a meaningful conversation that could potentially lead to a 'change of pace'. Yet, there's also a hint of resignation, a sense that this meeting is merely a temporary reprieve from the underlying dissatisfaction. The line 'If we get 'round to it, we can kiss that past goodbye' implies that change is not guaranteed, that it requires effort and perhaps even a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. The phrase 'entice me to change my mind' acknowledges the narrator's ambivalence, the pull between wanting something new and the fear of the unknown. The parenthetical asides in the second verse '(Stand by for deliverance)' and '(Wait for the sign to be given)' further emphasize the sense of anticipation and the yearning for something to break the cycle of routine. The final verse throws the song’s central conflict into sharper relief. Fanning sings of being 'so tired of this town and the same company,' highlighting the stifling nature of small-town life and the petty politics that breed within it. The 'pinpricks on a map' represent past travels and experiences, but they are dismissed as 'meaningless bling,' suggesting that outward change is not enough to resolve the inner turmoil. The song’s meaning, therefore, lies not just in the desire for a 'change of pace,' but in the recognition that true change requires more than just a new location or a different set of circumstances. It demands a willingness to confront one's own fears and to embrace the uncertainty that comes with stepping outside of one's comfort zone. The repeated goodbyes on Sunday underscore the bittersweet nature of temporary escapes, the understanding that they can only offer a fleeting sense of relief.