The Dealer is a song with profound meanings for ‘everybody’. Some fool – the resident in the back of my mind – is likely to ask ‘What does it mean for you?‘. Tough – I’m not important nor are my feelings or past. I don’t tick like that. I’ll look into the song’s lyrics for possible meanings. But the sentiment in the intonations of Stevie Nicks’s voice holds more for many people. And NO – I’m not here to ‘psychoanalyse’ Stevie Nicks. If you don’t like any of that – kindly bugger off. Now!
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For the person who identifies with the lyrics, it’s an admission of personal responsibility or ‘fault’. There is regret. The ‘cards’ were in their hands. They dealt the cards being the dealer – and that was only recognised perhaps in hindsight. The ‘dealer‘ is on the side of the house, and they take their chances too. The ‘cards‘ I interpret to mean opportunity and control. There is more regret for not looking ‘a little ahead’ – and hence developing wisdom – ‘the sun’ – only in hindsight. Of interest is ‘and my wine‘. I take wine to mean that which distracts or comforts. But who knows. Make of it what you will. ‘Run away‘ – means that a situation could have been avoided. Perhaps this relates to a significant relationship, where something could have been done differently. But with little doubt ‘I was the mistress of my fate’, is an acceptance with regret; of failure to take responsibility, or actions. ‘I gave it all out‘ – perhaps means at total investment of energy or time. But it seems wasted because with hindsight, running away may have been a better option. ‘If I’d really known you then…You’d a had to watch out…’ Possibly means a lack of understanding, which if better, could have lead to a more roaringly lovely relationship. But there is a degree of doubt, in recognition that roles could have been different for a better outcome i.e. acceptance of role reversal – the ‘dancer’ instead of the ‘player’. In other words, a different strategy altogether may have brought a more favourable result. ‘I’ll just almost hold you – You just almost stay here…’ a final admission of loss (possibly) i.e. ‘almost‘. Imagination of what it would be like in the present if the ‘cards‘ were dealt differently. It’s a powerful song, that would resonate with many people. It is good for stepping back and reflecting on where we’ve been, where we’re going, and to be more circumspect about our choices. |
Lyrics:
It was my fault, my move, my game
If I’d known a little more, I’d a run away It was dark out and I held the cards I was the dealer and it wasn’t hard I was the mistress of my fate
I was the card shark If I’d a looked a little ahead I’d a run away I was the mistress of my fate I gave it all out If I’d really known you then You’d a had to watch out It was my fault, my move, and my wine
I see the sun now And it still shines But it was dark out And I held the cards Ooh, I was the dealer
And it wasn’t hard I was the mistress of my fate I was the card shark If I’d a looked a little ahead I’d a run away I was the mistress of my fate
I gave it all out If I’d really known you then You’d a had to watch out I’ll be the dancer
You be the player I’ll just almost hold you You just almost stay here.. [Chorus repeats to the end]
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Now – everybody just calm down. I’m not here to prescribe a meaning to the song to people. All I’ve done is look into the words and they way they are sung. For sure I may have been biased by my own emotions.
Anybody who reads this is entitled to form a different perception and meaning that suits them. I’m not up for an argument! Chrysst!
Disclaimer & Guidance
The reading of posts on this blog is subject to the Terms & Conditions. Unpalatable truths and personal experiences may be told. Nothing posted on this blog is directed at any identifiable person. Should any person or organisation reading this blog find something that makes them feel or know that they are being referred to – any such perceived identification is co-incidental – not factual. ‘Stupid‘ is an impish figment of my imagination who occasionally is allowed to pop up – and does not represent any known individual, individuals or groups. The treatment of ‘Stupid‘ is not representative of the way people are treated in real life. Adverse inferences made are dismissed in advance.
