Genre: Folk Rock
[Intro]
Caught in the rain with no cover in sight,
Every plan fails, nothing goes right,
S.O.L., a common plight,
Just another victim of the luckless night.
[Verse]
Pocket full of pennies, none turn heads,
Job gone like smoke, future dreads,
Heartbreak tales spun by thread,
Life’s roulette spins, dread after dread.
[Chorus]
When luck leaves, where do you stand?
Empty-handed, in no man’s land,
S.O.L., the hourglass sand,
Slips away, like promises unplanned.
[Verse]
Health wanes like the waning moon,
Dark skies forecast, change none too soon,
Echoes of hope, a forgotten tune,
Under the stars, a forsaken lagoon.
[Chorus]
When luck leaves, where do you stand?
Empty-handed, in no man’s land,
S.O.L., the hourglass sand,
Slips away, like promises unplanned.
[Bridge]
Is it fate’s cruel hand or just blind chance?
Dance with shadows, a luckless dance,
Searching for a sliver of a glance,
Of fortune’s smile, or luck’s advance.
[Chorus]
When luck leaves, where do you stand?
Empty-handed, in no man’s land,
S.O.L., the hourglass sand,
Slips away, like promises unplanned.
[Outro]
So here’s to the lost, the luckless breeds,
Toasting misfortune, where desperation leads,
Maybe tomorrow, luck plants its seeds,
Till then we wait, till our fortune recedes.
[Song Description]
“When Luck Leaves” by Johnny Wayfarer is a folk rock ballad that dives deep into the throes of misfortune symbolized by the phrase “S.O.L.” (Shit Out of Luck). The song lyrically explores the impact of bad luck on various aspects of life including financial struggles, job loss, broken relationships, and health crises. Through its poignant storytelling and melodic structure, the song connects with the listener on an emotional level, expressing the raw, often unspoken feelings of helplessness and despair that accompany life’s most challenging moments. It resonates with the cultural and linguistic impact of the phrase, reflecting how language evolves and adapts to express our deepest emotions and experiences.
Reference Article: S.O.L. (Sh*t Out of Luck): Understanding the Phrase and Its Impact