Anyone Can See (Early version of Sing Another Song, Boys)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark picture of a man whose life is in disarray, symbolized by "broken fingernails" and "ships all on fire." He's entangled with a woman, the "moneylender's daughter," who is consumed by "desire." Her attempts to attract him are a bizarre mix of seduction and aggression, from offering a "clarinet" to waving a "Nazi dagger." This sets a scene of desperation and dangerous allure, where conventional means of connection are warped into something unsettling. The central tension lies in the man's apparent desire to escape or disengage, telling her he'll "go to sleep / If she'll leave the future open." Yet, he remains trapped in a precarious situation, "standing where it is steep." His actions, like "hands upon his belt" and lighting a "cigarillo," suggest a weary resignation or a performative control amidst the chaos. The imagery of "sails burn down like paper" underscores the destructive nature of their entanglement, a fire that consumes everything. The repeated phrase "And anyone can see" in the third verse acts as a stark, almost accusatory refrain. It highlights a shared, undeniable truth about their situation, particularly for those who haven't benefited from external support ("no tickets from her father") or haven't sought a particular kind of connection ("never tied to be his brother"). The lyrics suggest that the pain of deception to maintain a relationship ("lie to keep a lover") is a universal, observable consequence of their circumstances. Ultimately, the outro strips away the dramatic imagery to reveal a core of simple, yet profound, disconnection. The repeated "They're just two people" emphasizes their shared humanity but also their growing distance, "miles and miles apart." The poignant questions, "Who do you lie close to? / Does it feel like it's supposed to?" reveal the underlying emotional void and the painful realization that their connection, whatever it is, is failing in the "dark."