Elton John: Sacrifice Meaning

Song Released: 1989

Sacrifice Lyrics

Its a human sign
When things go wrong
When the scent of her lingers
And temptations strong

Into the boundary
Of each married man
Sweet deceit comes calling
And negativity lands

Cold cold heart
Hard done by you
Some things look...

1. anonymous

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   Jun 16th 2019 !⃝

   The guy has a fling with another woman then decides it looked better "just passing through". He ends the fling but doesn't get back with wife. No longer together but he keeps the child and "it is no sacrafice" to do so. I think it is their little girl he dances with in the video. The wife can't be with him or the child because her heart is shattered. It shows him by the cradle and later with the girl at 5 or so.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
2. anonymous

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   May 29th 2019 !⃝

   As Bernie has written personal songs about Elton's life before, I felt a very strong to elton's life at that time. We do know it's a very sad song talking about The parting and divorce of two people who have drifted apart. The person with whom the singer was having an affair is never a gender specified and the scent of either sex could be lingering in the singer's mind. The song seemed to be so relevant in Elton's own marital issues as his marriage was ending and they was no way to mix thier two worlds.
   And in the video, which was made later, the way he looks at his ring and speaks about living in two separate worlds is basically exactly what they were doing. It just seems so touching and speaks to a sad situation that could not be changed regardless have hell they may have tried. However,I still cannot figure out where the meaning of "No Sacrifice" would come into this. Any ideas?
   
   The song "I don't want to go on with you like that," seems as though it would be the precurser up to the final parting as described in "Sacrifice." Couldn't you just hear Renate having that talk with him after years living apart due to hiw dedication to his work while she was at home seeing the tabloids splashing such negative information about him from the start of thier marriage! I could understand that she just couldn't take it anymore. During that time, when he finally did come back home following his vocal cord surgery he locked himself in his room in the depth of depression--so very understandable if you feel your life is coming apart at the seams and everything is crashing down!
   None of us knows the full story but as it has been told is told anyway, he withdraws from everyone and it makes sense that she had to find a way to get into his room to talk with him as he locked himself away in despair.
   The way emotional feeling I've gotten led to my personal interpretation. So very soulful (that so often has come out in his music) and it seems like it could be a very spot on painful row between a married couple in just such a situation.
   This song brought back all the feelings and the difficult decision I struggled with and struggled with hanging in for better times. I finally had to come to terms with reality and make a final decision to leave because I just couldn't go on like that anymore.
3. anonymous

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   Apr 12th 2019 !⃝

   The song is about a married man who allowed his marriage to be ruined by his mistress he can't help
   But want more of his mistress which causes no love in his marriage
   I can't say much but I think I understand the song
   It's a lesson
4. anonymous

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   Jul 4th 2018 !⃝

   Just about the fact that marriage is no sacrifice.
   You once said yes (a simple word), but if it doesn't work you don't have to stay together.
5. tantina

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   Aug 30th 2017 !⃝

   I understood it this way after much thought.
   
   The first eight lines is a recall of an act of infidelity by a man. It is human to to recall reminisce or remember an affair or an act especially those we enjoyed or are guilty hence "it's a normal human sign". An affair outside marriage (infidelity) is wrong for especially Christians meant by "when things go wrong". Usually after an affair with someone (side chick), one can still smell the perfume or body odour of the person even in the person’s absence hence “ the scent of her (side chick) lingers” in the mind and heart of the man then the temptation to have another affair with this side chick is strong hence “and temptation’s strong”.
   The temptation is usually so strong that even at home with the wife, the married man still is beckoned by the desire to engage in the extra marital affair with that side chick who is a “sweet deceit” hence “into the boundary of each married man, sweet deceit comes calling”. And by answering the call of “sweet deceit”, “negativity lands” which refers to suspicion, disclosure of the infidelity, disagreement, confusions, chaos, bitterness, resentment etc etc. All the happiness, love and wonderful memories disappear when negativity lands.
   The absence of peace, trust, love, happiness, fond memories, etc and the presence of negativity ( haunts of infidelity and the resulting chaos) results in cold relationships hence “cold cold heart” when it’s supposed to be warm warm heart, lols. It’s so hard to live with a person who has a cold heart towards you and that person further does a harder thing / another hard thing or complicates matters by seeking a divorce or separation hence “hard done by you”. However, it seems better to go through the pain of being cheated on to maintain the relationship instead of divorcing/separating hence “somethings look better just passing through, baby”. Thus, to the man, the woman should swallow the bitter pill of his infidelity and pass through it or live with it till time eases that pain.
   
   The man equally feels that divorce or separation which connotes a sacrifice of the marriage, love, feeling, etc that was between the two is actually no sacrifice because sacrifice is such a simple word, an understatement of the reality which is two hearts (which are supposed to live in one world and beat as one) living in two separate worlds. How hurting it will be for both hearts as they were locked in love as one but battered now and living in separate worlds as a result of infidelity from the man and unforgiveness from the wife. Hence “it’s no sacrifice, just a simple world, it’s really two hearts living in two separate worlds”. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
   
   From the preceding, the man wants the woman to understand that she is being too hard seeking a divorce which will results in their two hearts living in two separate worlds instead of being together. However, the woman wants divorce. Usually, it is understood commonly by almost all couples in society that after one finds out that she is being/ has been cheated on, divorce is the next step. This understanding or belief is however, ironically a misunderstanding hence “mutual misunderstanding”. However, to seek divorce based on infidelity, there must be concrete evidence and acceptance by both husband and wife that that cheating really occurred hence “after the fact”. When is a known fact that one’s spouse is a cheat ,one becomes so sensitive which becomes a form of mental and emotional prison hence “sensitivity builds a prison” in the final act of decision making.
   No one takes the right direction when s/he is sensitivity bound hence no wonder the couple lost direction completely meant by “we lose direction, no stone unturned”. When one is too sensitive and jealous, the tears seem to dry out or become viscous and not flow hence “no tears to damn you when jealousy burns”.
   This again compounds the cold relationship characterized by cold heart, lack of communication etc which makes the spouse cheated on to continue to sacrifice their union and live alone. But it is reechoed that divorce or separation is not merely a sacrifice, a simple word, but actually two hearts living in two separate worlds instead of one and yearning or longing for each other but can’t reconcile due to infidelity and unforgiveness.
   I believe the video is very clear on all I have tried to explain but that it should be understood that for decency sake, the act of infedility does not occur on the camera or video hence the audience need to infer.
6. anonymous

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   Aug 27th 2017 !⃝

   I just wrote the below, and I don't think that it is accurate. I keep going thru progressively more pessimistic interpretations of what the song is about. When I first heard it on the radio, I thought that the song was saying that it's "no sacrifice" to do the things that are necessary to keep the relationship going. Maybe I like that interpretation the best, but that's not what the song is about.
   
   In Wikipedia it says: "The song is not a typical love song, but rather a song about a breakup of a marriage where the loss of the relationship is "no sacrifice".
   
   What I now think that the song is about is: If all that is happening in the marriage or relationship is that you are tearing each other apart, it's better to separate, and it's "no sacrifice" to do this.
   
   The above explains lyrics like, "sweet deceit comes calling and negativity lands" or "mutual misunderstanding after the fact, sensitivity builds a prison in the final act, we lose direction, no stone unturned (too hurt each other with)".
   
   Also, I don't think that in the song they are talking about one of the people having an affair.
   
   The song is optimistic only in the sense of if you're in such a bad relationship, and nothing can be done, it's OK to let go and separate. And separating will be "no sacrifice".
   
   In the video, it looks like the man and woman have adjusted to, and accepted the separation towards the end.
7. anonymous

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   Aug 27th 2017 !⃝

   The meaning of the song is clear. It's in the lyrics. And it explained in Wikipedia. "It's no sacrifice at all, it's just two hearts living in two separate worlds" It's no sacrifice to separate. The sacrifice is in resisting temptation, staying together, keeping the love alive, making it work" But both partners have to be dedicated to this.
8. anonymous

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   May 12th 2017 !⃝

   "Sacrifice" is inspired both by the Aretha Franklin song "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and described as a Percy Sledge song by Elton John. The song is beloved by both John and Bernie Taupin and deemed a bookend of sorts to their first hit "Your Song". Taupin has said he is surprised he wrote it, and said in an interview, "I think 'Sacrifice' is one of the best songs we've written." The song is not a typical love song, but rather a song about a breakup of a marriage where the loss of the relationship is "no sacrifice."
   
   The video, which follows the song's lyrics, portrays a man and woman having problems in their relationship after being married and raising a daughter. After they go their separate ways, the man raises his daughter alone
   
   Good interpretation from the comment below.
   
   
   Prefers to be alone/ Single Since Birth
9. anonymous

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   May 12th 2017 !⃝

   I agree with everyone that this song is about a Broken marriage but I am not sure who had an affair. I actually think no one had a pan affair, just a mutual misunderstanding. But like many broken marriages the trouble is because of two hearts living in separate worlds. what keeps the couple together is sensitivity to their vows and family but staying in a marriage with no love and affection creates a prison not a home. It will eventually turn tears of sadness and loneliness into anger and distrust, jealousy and endless senseless yelling and arguing, resulting in cold cold heart. But because of their love for their children they stay in the marriage. The thought of breaking up the family is a greater loss than both can imagine and so "it's no sacrifice" at all. The family is worth fighting for. There is hope, for those who connect to this song because you know first hand the pain this song is conveying, fight for your marriage, find help, make time to learn who you each have grown up to be. It's like that other love song, "do you like Pina colada." Praying for protection over your marriage! God bless!
10. anonymous

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    Jan 10th 2017 !⃝

    We need to sacrifice all our life !
11. anonymous

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    May 28th 2016 !⃝

    This is a very deep song about a marriage that ended in separation..
    
    I meant, the wife didn't forgive him.
    
    -GazerOfTruth
12. anonymous

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    May 28th 2016 !⃝

    This song is a very deep song about a marriage that ended in separation. Saw the real meaning of this when I checked it at wikipedia. Watched the video at youtube and it seems the husband is fighting for his love and for their marriage and daughter but the wife didn't forgive her. It seems the wife longs for her husband even if they are now divorced.
    
    To the wife who made a comment yesterday.. It's sad to hear about your situation. I guess you should have a conversation with your husband about your thoughts and feelings. I believe you guys married a long time ago because you both loved each other and you guys stayed married for 13 years because you still love each other. Both of you agreed to get married before because you both wanted to be with each other for the rest of your lives and to have a family. I don't know your husband but maybe there was a reason why he had an affair. Perhaps both of you should forgive each other, be honest, and give each other a chance. Best Wishes.
    
    -GazerOfTruth
13. anonymous

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    May 27th 2016 !⃝

    Been married for 13 years and found out last summer my husband has had an affair. I play this song a lot. We're not in love anymore so why can't we get divorced? What are we waiting for? Are we waiting for our daughter to turn 18? All I know is I'm miserable in this marriage...
14. anonymous

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    Apr 1st 2011 !⃝

    The song is about a young boy named Ryan White, who contracted aids through a blood transfusion back in the early 80's when the whole epidemic was breaking. It was a big story at the time and obviously touched Elton John, inspiring him to write the song after the boy's death.
15. anonymous

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    Mar 16th 2011 !⃝

    Of how hard it is to let go of something you love.

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