Lyrics: You Owe Me One
Now there's a shadow passing over our faces Doubt forever in our hearts And in a while we'll have to pick up the traces We won't find the missing parts. Buy me a ticket I'll go to the Bahamas I need a rest from our petty little dramas Yes I really do Aha um hum Look what you've done I'm missing all the fun, Baby you owe me one. Aha un hum It's my turn to run A chance to see the sun, Baby you owe me one. I wasn't ready for this kind of intrusion I was taken by surprise Now both of us are in a state of confusion Hesitation on our hearts. Something unwanted has entered our existence I think it's better to view it from a distance Yes I really do Aha um hum Look what you've done I'm missing all the fun, Baby you owe me one. Aha un hum It's my turn to run A chance to see the sun, Baby you owe me one.
Lyric Analysis: Navigating Emotional Turbulence
You Owe Me One by ABBA delves into the complexities of relationships, highlighting moments when misunderstandings and emotional upheaval create distance between two people. The song opens with a sense of shadow and doubt, suggesting a recent conflict or disappointment that lingers between the couple. The lines, “Buy me a ticket I’ll go to the Bahamas / I need a rest from our petty little dramas,” reveal a desire to escape and find relief from the ongoing tension.
The repeated chorus, “Baby you owe me one,” carries a playful yet pointed tone. It expresses the feeling of having sacrificed or endured something in the relationship, and now seeking acknowledgment or reciprocity. The song balances light-heartedness with genuine emotional fatigue, as the narrator yearns for a break and a chance to regain happiness. By admitting to confusion and hesitation, the lyrics reflect a universal experience: sometimes, stepping back is necessary to gain perspective and heal. Ultimately, the song captures the push and pull of love, responsibility, and the need for personal space.
Song Credits
Songwriters: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus
Release Year: 1982
Label: Polar Music