I dreamed I was drowning
In the river Thames
I dreamed I had nothing at all
Nothing but my own skin

I dreamed I was drifting
On the howling wind
I dreamed I had nothing at all
Nothing but my own skin

Slipped away from your open hand
Into the river
Saw your face looking back at me
I saw my past
And I saw my future

[Chorus]
You take the pieces of the dreams that you have
Cause you don't like the way they seem to be going
You cut them up and spread them out on the floor
You're full of hope as you begin rearranging
Put it all back together
But anyway you look at things and try
The lovers are losing

I dreamed I was watching
A young lover's dance
I reached out to touch your hand
But I was watching from a distance

We cling to love like a skidding car
Clinched to the corner
I try to hold on to what we are
The more I squeeze the quicker we all are

[Chorus]

I dreamed I had nothing at all (nothing but my own skin) [Repeat: x3]
I dreamed I had nothing at all

[Chorus]

You take the pieces of the dreams that you have
Cause you don't like the way they seem to be going
You cut them up and spread them out on the floor
You're full of hope as you begin rearranging
Put it all back together
But in the final reckoning
We're trying
The lovers are losing


Lyrics submitted by Runaway Muse, edited by owl21

The Lovers Are Losing Lyrics as written by Timothy James Rice-oxley Richard David Hughes

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Downtown Music Publishing

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The Lovers Are Losing song meanings
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    My Interpretation

    I can relate to this song on a personal level, which is probably why it touches me deeply. If you've seen the video, it is apparent that it is about the destruction of the world (by our own hands) and what little value we hold for basic human emotion and life in the midst of our differences. Currently in an interracial, interreligious relationship - I understand the scrutinies of trying to bind together and form unions that only you, and the person you love, are willing to support. We're so torn apart being black, white, Asian, hispanic, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, etc. that being up in arms and ready to inflict each other is the only thing that brings us comfort. We're all out for each other rather than collectively forming together and making the world a better place for our children.

    While Charlie seems to be singing about "lovers that are losing", this song is inevitably about hope and the strength of the human spirit. That in the face of the most difficult adversaries, we are still ready to fight for a cause - the human cause - to get rid of our petty differences, even if the fight is not necessarily won.

    seamoraineon December 30, 2008   Link

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