It's Not Over ('Til It's Over)

The lyrics present a group that feels powerless: other people make the rules, and they must work with whatever chances they have. The mood shifts from frustration and hard-earned realism toward determination. Even when others say they have little chance, the speakers insist on continuing and fighting for what matters. The repeated refrain makes persistence the song’s central message: failure or difficulty does not mean the effort is finished.

Several expressions make that message vivid. “We don’t call the shots” means the speakers lack control over decisions. “You can’t build a dream without a plan” links hope with practical effort, suggesting that wishing alone is not enough. “When push comes to shove” means when a difficult moment arrives and a choice or action becomes necessary. “Play for keeps” suggests taking the struggle seriously and committing fully, rather than treating it as a casual game.

The lyrics may be about a specific kind of contest or hardship, but they do not say exactly what the speakers are trying to win. The words “streets,” “odds,” and “fight” could point to real obstacles, or they could be broad images for any difficult struggle. The repeated “we” gives the song a collective feeling, though it could also speak to listeners facing challenges of their own. Its confidence is not a promise of success; it is a refusal to give up before the outcome is clear.