Generally held to be about Rice’s breakup with long-time partner Lisa Hannigan, whom he’d worked with extensively on albums O, B-Sides and much of 9, Accidental Babies is a pained song that reminisces on an old relationship and the narrator’s regret and jealousy.
[Verse 1]
Well, I held you like a lover
Happy hands and your elbow
In the appropriate place
And we ignored our others
Happy plans, for that delicate look
Upon your face
Our bodies moved and hardened
Hurting parts of your garden
With no room for a pardon
In a place where no one knows
What we have done
[Chorus]
Do you come
Together ever with him?
And is he dark enough
Enough to see your light?
And do you brush your teeth before you kiss?
Do you miss my smell?
And is he bold enough to take you on?
Do you feel like you belong?
And does he drive you wild?
Or just mildly free?
What about me?
[Verse 2]
Well, you held me like a lover
Sweaty hands, and my foot
In the appropriate place
And we use cushions to cover
Happy glands in the mild issue
Of our disgrace
Our minds pressed and guarded
While our flesh disregarded
The lack of space for the light-hearted
In the boom that beats our drum
I know I make you cry
And I know sometimes you wanna die
But do you really feel alive without me?
If so, be free
If not, leave him for me
Before one of us has
Accidental babies
For we are in love
[Chorus]
Do you come
Together ever with him?
Is he dark enough
Enough to see your light?
Do you brush your teeth before you kiss?
Do you miss my smell?
And is he bold enough to take you on?
Do you feel like you belong?
And does he drive you wild?
Or just mildly free?
What about me?
What about me?
Accidental Babies was written by Damien Rice.
Accidental Babies was produced by Damien Rice.
Damien Rice released Accidental Babies on Fri Nov 03 2006.