Song Meaning
The lyrics paint a picture of intense, almost desperate desire, framed by a sense of urgency and a ticking clock. The opening lines immediately establish a feverish state, both literal and metaphorical, setting a tone of immediate, uninhibited pursuit. The phrase "Get down to business" suggests a direct, no-nonsense approach to intimacy, amplified by the plea "Baby don't you be polite."
The central tension revolves around this feverish need and the limited time frame of "five days." The repetition of "Five days, five days" acts like a countdown, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of the encounter or the passion. The narrator seems to be pushing hard, acknowledging the intensity with "Too hot to handle" but embracing it because "I need it anyway," highlighting a compulsion that overrides caution.
The imagery shifts to nocturnal exploration, "Midnight's a cool time / Through the city baby we run," suggesting a clandestine or spontaneous adventure. The narrator offers a "cheap trick" and urges to "Keep it up, keep it up 'til we're done," which could imply a fleeting, perhaps superficial, but intensely physical connection. The sudden, almost jarring shift with "I'm on the telephone / Sorry but the line goes dead" introduces a moment of disconnection or interruption, adding a layer of uncertainty to the narrative.
This abrupt break, followed by the ominous "Oh, you better watch it little sister / I'm as down as I'm a gonna go," injects a darker, more volatile undercurrent. It suggests that beneath the feverish pursuit, there's a potential for recklessness or a desperate edge. The effectiveness lies in this juxtaposition of urgent, almost reckless passion with the implied limitations and potential consequences, creating a raw, compelling portrait of desire on the edge.
View Artist