She broke down and let me in
Made me see where I've been

Been down one time
Been down two times
I'm never going back again

You don't know what it means to win
Come down and see me again

Been down one time
Been down two times
I'm never going back again

Live versions released on Live (1980), Rare on Air (1994), Live at the Bass Performance Hall (2008) and One Man Show (2012)

Rough outtake version (a.k.a. "Brushes") and demo version appear on the Rumour Reissue (2004)

WEBMISTRESS speculates:

This song - which I really like - is all about Lindsey showing Stevie that he can get over her. He's found a new girl and he's telling Stevie how much better this girl is, that after being with her he's "never going back again" to being shafted by Stevie. The fact that he's speaking directly to Stevie becomes evident with the line "You don't know what it means to win." He is challenging her - saying that she doesn't understand how to be happy, how to love, and that he's found someone who does. He ends with "Come around and see me again" - he's doing so well now, he thinks Stevie can pick up relationship pointers from him as she admires his newfound contentment!

 

BIRD IN FLIGHT speculates:

I actually was able to attend a small concert given by Lindsey in 1992 which he addressed this song and it's meaning. (I believe Lindsey is somewhat manic depressive.) He refers to being down one time and down two times, when he does this, he is talking about the black gutter of being depressed. He then finds someone new and with the new relationship he has sparked the good old confidence he used to have, he's feeling euphoric - in love, all is good. He tells himself "life is good, I'm never going to be depressed again", therefore he's "never going back again". He later admits that such emotions run in cycles and this too, had it's cycle.

 

MARC speculates:

This song moves me deeply no matter how many times i listen to it. My interpretation may not be accurate but its more powerful than the usual one offered (in my opinion):

She broke down and let me in
Made me see where I've been

The woman "broke down" (acted against her better judgment) by giving him the gift of her love, which opened Lindsey up to loving again

Been down one time
Been down two times
I'm never going back again

Clear. This is an expression of incredible optimism and euphoria, the pathway has cleared, the hard times are over (which of course is a manic state and not sustainable, but still a great opening)

You don't know what it means to win
Come down and see me again

This is the WOMAN talking. She is confronting Lindsey with his immaturity and telling him to grow up and make peace with himself and his past. She has opened the pathway for him, but he must now do the work himself.

Been down one time
Been down two times
I'm never going back again

Lindsey is not sure he wants to do that. He has been healed, partially, but is not sure that he will go "the whole way" with himself and his demons. He will close down again but is still not the same person. He (as well as the woman) allowed something to come in.

 

MICHAEL speculates:

After reading your speculations on what perhaps the song might be about, I have to give Lindsey some credit, for writing a song which can be interpreted in so many different ways. A song left open for interpretation will gain a larger audience, be more popular, and still provide the author with a level of ambiguity that ensures only he knows what it's really about.

The bigger question, at least for me, is does he play this song with a capo? I know how to play it with and without, but I'd like to know how he did it. Also, it's not a very easy song to play, and therefore I'm curious on how he did it. Anyone have any video of a concert with this song?

 

DANI speculates:

I believe that Lindsey does this song in a drop D Tuning, which is, he drops the low E string down to a low D, I could be wrong but I believe this is how he does it, also without a capo. Hope this helps.

 

RYAN speculates:

He uses drop D tuning, and for the album version he capos the fourth fret. It's played in the key of F#.

 

ANANIAH speculates:

I was wanting to add to this ongoing discussion of how Lindsey plays Never Going Back Again. I am a trained, former world championship level classical guitarist. Lindsey plays this song by down-tuning the "E" and "A" strings to "C" and "G", respectively. The song is played as if it is in "C", however it is capo'd at the sixth fret. It's a bit easier than the previously mentioned way by using Drop-D. It's a fun and addictive song to play. I'm including a version of it, Go Your Own Way, and Big Love done classical style on my upcoming album that will be done shortly called
"Sapphire Stone". You can check out my first album on the web (out of print) by searching for Ananiah McCarrell on Google. I know it sounds like a commercial, but a lot of my work was inspired by Lindsey Buckingham and it's great to try to share it with the world, especially true music fans.