Song of the Week - Before Too Long - Paul Kelly

This week's song is from Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. The expression, before too long is an oblique or understated way of saying soon and is used here to show the writer's cynical view of romantic love. The song is deceptively cheery but really a little bit stalkerish like The Police's Every Breath You Take and shows Kelly's dark sense of humour. The lyrics also include some other interesting idioms like every dog has his day which means everyone gets a chance eventually.

Before Too Long
by Paul Kelly (1986)

Before too long
The one that you're loving
Will wish that he'd never met you
Before too long
He who is nothing
Will suddenly come into view

So let the time keep rolling on
It's on my side
Lonely nights will soon be gone
High is the tide

Before too long
We'll be together
And no-one will tear us apart
Before too long
The words will be spoken
I know all the action by heart

As the night time follows day
I'm closing in
Every dog will have his day
Any dog can win

Shut the shade do not fear anymore
Here I come creeping round your back door

Before too long
I'll be repeating
What's happened before in my mind
Before too long
Over and over
Just like a hammer inside

As the nighttime follows day
I'm closing in
Every dog will have his day
Any dog can win

Before too long

Before too long