Kevin Rowland’s 13th Time

Song Meaning

Kevin Rowland declares his intention to clarify and state his plans, framing it as a hard-won prize after a "youth of waste" and "life of mess." He immediately pivots, however, to a peculiar request: to call upon PC Barrington before proceeding. This sets up an immediate tension between the stated purpose of clear communication and an unexpected, almost bureaucratic interruption, hinting that the path to expression is anything but straightforward. The core conflict emerges in Rowland's repeated assertion, "I was never very sure about anything until... What won't go for me / Will not go for me." This refrain suggests a personal philosophy of identifying what is unacceptable, rather than seeking positive affirmation. It's a stance that directly clashes with PC Barrington, who "does not see things like I do," implying a struggle against external judgment or misunderstanding. The lyrics suggest a deep-seated need to define oneself by what one rejects, a process that has clearly led to repeated chastisement and increasing bitterness. The most striking element is the abrupt shift to a spoken-word interlude, where Rowland launches into a dismissive anecdote about "middle-class idiots" analyzing emotions and writing poetry. This seemingly off-topic rant, met with laughter, serves as a performative act of defiance. It's a deliberate provocation, a way to "kick off the proceedings" by mocking a perceived intellectual elite, thereby reinforcing his own identity as an outsider who takes what he wants and says what he needs, refusing to "follow suit." This lyrical construction is effective because it weaponizes self-definition through negation and performance. The repeated, almost mantra-like refrain about what "won't go for me" grounds the abstract idea of self-expression in a visceral, almost instinctual rejection. The inclusion of the spoken joke, presented as a "true story," further solidifies this persona, creating a raw, confrontational energy that bypasses conventional song structure to deliver a potent, if abrasive, statement of intent.