Van Morrison - Domino Lyrics Meaning

August 2024 · 4 minute read

I think this song is about the writer’s frustration with the game of love, in light of the fact that his lover is seeing another man, a Romeo.

One definition of domino is a game played with a set of small blocks. Perhaps this song is about playing love games, in light of the references to Romeo and “never hear[ing] from him.” Most of us are aware that Romeo references a "a lover, passionate admirer, seducer of women."

“And if you never hear from him, that just means he didn’t call,” supports the idea that writer is addressing the fact that his love interest has interest in another man. The fact that the writer says “roll me over, Romeo,” suggests that the other man is the Romeo.

So, if the other man is the Romeo, and the writer says, “I think it’s time for a change,” this could mean that the writer is contemplating backing off in the relationship with his love interest, in light of her involvement of Romeo.

Now, why the writer would say the following, I’m unsure:

You may get disgusted, and think I’m strange
In that case I’ll go underground
Get some heavy rest
Never have to worry
About what is worst and what is best

I don’t know why the writer’s potential change would disgust the love interest. I could see a love interest being disappointed or angry. But disgusted sounds like “discuss it,” from a previous line, and this may be the writer’s best effort at lyrically conveying the love interest’s potential disappointment or anger over the proposed change.

As far as,
In that case I’ll go underground
Get some heavy rest
Never have to worry
About what is worst and what is best

I think the writer means that, if the love interest chooses to continue with Romeo, in light of the writer’s proposed change, the writer will retreat, disconnect from, and ignore the love interest and possibly self medicate, either literally or figuratively.

If the lover continues with Romeo, the writer may want to rid his lover from his mind. The writer would want to avoid thinking about whether it’s better to stay with the lover, and put up with the lack of exclusivity, or retreat.

Regarding

Oh oh domino
Roll me over romeo

The writer may be saying, oh, the games of love! The writer may be exasperated over such games. The writer seems to say, go ahead, Romeo, and continue to ruin my otherwise good situation. The writer seems to feel defeated.

There’s no need for argument
There’s no argument at all
And if you never hear from him
That just means he didn’t call
Or vice versa
That depends on where ever you’re at
And if you never hear from me
That just means I would rather not

The writer seems to say that he doesn’t want to argue or negotiate. He seems firm. He is repeating the idea behind “don’t want to discuss it.”

He also suggests the possibility that the relationship between his lover and Romeo may fail. Romeo may only want a fling with the writer’s lover and may stop calling at any time. The lover may not be willing to pursue her Romeo. The writer is reminding his lover that she could lose twice, if she continues with Romeo.

That depends on where ever you’re at

I struggle to find the meaning to this. Maybe the writer is merely saying the choice is up to you, my love. The outcome depends on your choice, the writer seems to say.

And if you never hear from me
That just means I would rather not

The writer seems to say, no pressure, my love. But the writer seems to imply that, if the choice is to keep the status quo, the writer will retreat.

This is my first time to write or post an interpretation. The full text of the lyrics, taken from another website, follows:

Don’t want to discuss it
I think it’s time for a change
You may get disgusted
And think I’m strange
In that case I’ll go underground
Get some heavy rest
Never have to worry
About what is worst and what is best

Oh oh domino
Roll me over romeo
There you go
Lord have mercy
I said oh oh domino
Roll me over romeo
There you go
Say it again
I said oh oh domino
I said oh oh domino

There’s no need for argument
There’s no argument at all
And if you never hear from him
That just means he didn’t call
Or vice versa
That depends on where ever you’re at
And if you never hear from me
That just means I would rather not

I said oh oh domino
Roll me over romeo
There you go
Lord have mercy
I said oh oh domino
Roll me over romeo
There you go
Say it again
Oh oh domino
I said oh oh domino.

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