In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
For all I've been blessed with in my life
There was an emptiness in me
I was imprisoned by the power of gold
With one kind touch you sent me free
let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love is not worth goin' through
If it all falls apart
I will no deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life I was loved by you
for every mountain I have climbed
Every raging river crossed
You were the treasure that I longed to find
Without your love I would be lost
let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love is not worth goin' through
If it falls apart
I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life I was loved by you
I know that I will live forever
But forever ill be loving you
let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Tell me loves not going through
If it all falls apart I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life I was loved by you
There was an emptiness in me
I was imprisoned by the power of gold
With one kind touch you sent me free
let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love is not worth goin' through
If it all falls apart
I will no deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life I was loved by you
for every mountain I have climbed
Every raging river crossed
You were the treasure that I longed to find
Without your love I would be lost
let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Let them tell me love is not worth goin' through
If it falls apart
I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life I was loved by you
I know that I will live forever
But forever ill be loving you
let the world stop turning
Let the sun stop burning
Tell me loves not going through
If it all falls apart I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered had come true
In this life I was loved by you
Lyrics submitted by VampedVixen, edited by kimmessmer
In This Life Lyrics as written by Mike Reid Allen Shamblin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
In me previous post I described the song from the perspective of the composers, Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, as a love song to Jesus. You don't need to be Christian to enjoy the song. Many of the cover artists might not be Christian. I like IZ's rendition the best by far. How did he interpret it.
Here is an excerpt from his introduction to the song on his CD "IZ in Concert" (2000), track #13 titled "n Dis Life," on the tail end of the preceding track:
"... for those of you who have spouses, you know, everyone [sic] wife is incredible. I hope having a husband is even better. But you know, eh, living through life, you know, with each other, is awesome. But living life with God is more awesome. With this song I dedicate to our Father God through His Son Jesus Christ, is why I'm here today. I just wanted for let you guys know that...."
some powerful words... i'm surprised no one has commented yet. this man was a brilliant and blessed soul...RIP israel
He's talking to his fans. Everything wouldn't have happened if it weren't for the people who believed in him. "In this life, I was loved by you"
I think he is talking about how he wanted to become famous (in a sense) and then slowly he realized he wasn't doing it for the money. He was doing it because he loved his people and his music. It allowed him to be free of all his trouble.
Sorry for this scatter brained explanation.
I would have thought it was a lover he found, but it's awesome to think about it from your angle, how he simply loves doing what he does, regardless of how much he makes for doing it. it's a rarity in the music business, what with all the gimmicks that exist now a days. it's heartbreaking to hear him say "I know that I won't live forever."
Such a heartfelt song by a talented man... so sad that he's gone. But when I listen to this, his true feelings just pour out in the words, and he lives on through them and the rest of his songs...
Awesome song. IZ's rendition is my favorite of many. His vocals are phenomenal. But it is not his song. It was composed by Mike Reid (the "American Football" one on Wikipedia) and Allen Shamblin, 1992, Almo Music Corp., Brio Blues Music, Allen Shamblin Music, and BMG Songs, Inc. It was covered by Collin Raye (1992), 4 PM "For Positive Music" (1995), Kirk Whalum (1995), Bette Midler (1995), IZ (1996), Ronan Keating (2000), and probably more, as my search was not exhaustive. So what did Reid and Shamblin mean in the lyrics? Much of their catalog is country and Christian. This song reflects a Christian view.
Christians understand "an emptiness in me, imprisoned by the power of gold, one kind touch you set me free, you were the treasure, I would be lost, I won't live forever (these posted lyrics erroneously say "will live forever"), but forever I'll be loving you," and most significantly, "I was loved by you."
It's a gorgeous song if taken simply as a human love song. We who love IZ can easily appreciate how he makes it his own. What a showcase for his vocals! And let's not overlook the superb musical performance. Did you notice the absence of ukulele on both studio album renditions (Alone in IZ World and N Dis Life)? Still - It's a worship song when sung by Christians to Jesus.
Follow my footsteps: The Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Songbook Collection (2005, Alfred Publishing Co., Inc.), allmusic.com, oldies.com, new.music.yahoo.com, and Amazon.com. My best keywords were "In This Life," Mike Reid, Allen Shamblin, and Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.