Under Your Thumb

10cc · Greatest Hits And More [2009]

I was standing in the station being pounded by the rain

So I chose the last compartment of a stationary train

I felt someone get in behind me but I never caught their eye

But I thought I heard a woman's voice whispering, "Goodbye"



So I lay down in the darkness with the beer and coffee stains

And I stared out at the thunder through the broken window panes

And although the storm was booming like an engine in the sky

I'm sure I heard a woman's voice cry

"Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb

It's over and done

I'll never be under your thumb forever"



So I rolled myself a cigarette and smoked it on my own

But it didn't stop the whispers or the smell of her cologne

Then she rose up out of nowhere and her hair is full of steam

And she stuck her head out the window and screamed,

and screamed, she screamed

"Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb

It's over and done

I'll never be under your thumb forever"



So I picked up an old newspaper to read and I noticed

something very strange indeed

So I looked a little closer and it chilled me to the bone

"Woman throws herself from speeding train, identity unknown"

But I recognized the picture of the woman who was dead

And underneath the picture it said

"Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb

It's over and done

I'll never be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb forever

Don't wanna be under your thumb"

Under Your Thumb

Under Your Thumb stands as a defining track in the discography of 10cc, showcasing the band's signature blend of art rock and sophisticated pop. Released during their most commercially successful era, the recording features the group's trademark layered harmonies and intricate production techniques that set them apart from their contemporaries. The song captures the band's ability to merge whimsical melodies with darker, more complex arrangements, reflecting the experimental spirit that characterized their early work. As a staple of their greatest hits collections, it remains a testament to the group's enduring influence on British rock music. The track exemplifies the collaborative songwriting process that fueled their creativity, delivering a polished sound that continues to resonate with listeners familiar with their extensive catalogue of innovative recordings.