Practice Makes Perfect

Song Meaning

The lyrics present an odd, insistent invitation to a private "practice." The speaker urges formality, asking the recipient to "dress in your best things" for what is paradoxically called an "unplanned" event. This immediate contrast hints at something both spontaneous and ritualistic. A central tension arises from the speaker's shifting motivations. They initially frame the "practice" as something where "business or pleasure" dictates the effort, yet later insist it's "never for money, always for love." This contradiction blurs the lines between genuine affection and a more habitual or transactional engagement, leaving the true nature of the invitation ambiguous. The most striking element is the bizarre presence of "Sarah Bernhardt's hand" in the bedroom, which later evolves into "Sarah's waiting for us." This transformation from a macabre relic to an active, expectant entity injects a surreal, almost theatrical dread into the scene. The reference to Bernhardt, a legendary dramatic actress, amplifies this sense of performance or staged reality. The lyrics effectively build a sense of unsettling anticipation through the relentless repetition of "Waiting for us." This refrain, combined with the strange invitation and the mysterious "Sarah," creates a palpable atmosphere of impending, ambiguous ritual. The listener is left to ponder the true nature of this "practice" and the enigmatic figure awaiting their arrival.