Memory comes when memory's old
I am never the first to know
Following the stream up North
Where do people like us float

There is room in my lap
For bruises, asses, handclaps
I will never disappear
For forever, I'll be here

Whispering
Morning, keep the streets empty for me
Morning, keep the streets empty for me

I'm laying down, eating snow
My fur is hot, my tongue is cold
On a bed of spider web
I think of how to change myself

A lot of hope in a one man tent
There's no room for innocence
So take me home before the storm
Velvet mites will keep us warm

Whispering
Morning, keep the streets empty for me
Morning, keep the streets empty for me

Whispering
Morning, keep the streets empty for me
Morning, keep the streets empty for me

Uncover our heads and reveal our souls
We were hungry before we were born

Uncover our heads and reveal our souls
We were hungry before we were born

Uncover our heads and reveal our souls
We were hungry before we were born

Uncover our heads and reveal our souls
We were hungry before we were born


Lyrics submitted by MaritheGreat, edited by ahnalia

Keep The Streets Empty For Me Lyrics as written by Karin Dreijer Andersson Cecilia Nordlund

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Keep the Streets Empty For Me song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    I think this song is a metaphorical reference to endurance and survival, and what better way to express both of these topics than with a deer in the winter (hunting season)? And yes, Karin has stated that this song IS sung from a deer's perspective.

    What is implied within the line "morning, keep the streets empty for me," is simply put: "When I wake up, I'm going to hold the reigns over all aspects in my life." KTSEFM is really a song of inner strength, dreams, and acknowledging one's own faults. It's my favorite track on the album.

    tyakon October 20, 2010   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    Karin stated in an interview that she is singing as an animal.

    "It’s supposed to be a deer singing."

    Definitely one of the best tracks, this album is simply awesome.

    ceebeeneton July 03, 2009   Link
  • +5
    Song Meaning

    If this song is written from the perspective of a deer, then "morning keep the streets empty for me" has a clear meaning: safe passage without being hit in the road. Realizing that made me shiver.

    Lys3on December 02, 2009   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    I believe this song is about human nature and the human spirit. It's easiest to analyze the human spirit when you use something or someone (like a homeless or displaced person) who has been completely stripped of the complexities that society and the material world can impose. We're listening to the voice of a human being...simplified. When we strip away all the bs - we are animals (looking for shelter, food, and warmth),and if those needs aren't threatened, we strive for goodness and love - there's no bad intention, and with that comes an innocence (kind of like how you might picture an animal - or the dear everyone is referencing). Strip us of our desires to compete with each other, to make money, to be "attractive", to live within the confines of society - we're simple beings. A homeless person may not be bogged down by the petty shit a lot of us waste so much energy on. They want food and warmth...and with that simplicity comes clarity, and a sense of freedom...an outsiders perspective on humanity. I just want to be warm, full, and a "good person". Where do I find more people like me? "Where do people like us float?"

    "...hope in a one man tent, there's no room for innocence". Our struggle to survive in general, and the need to compete amongst ourselves makes it difficult to be a good person - when you have to fight to stay alive, it can force us to push aside our humanity. "keep the streets empty for me" - keep me safe, and away from the hustle/bustle/potential for negative interactions with the world we've created. Keep me innocent (but not ignorant) and sheltered. The song's about the true nature of a human being, and the struggle to survive while keeping our innocence/"goodness".

    Or it could be about shapeshifting - like everyone else is saying. Haha. :) Whatev's. It's art. It can mean something different to so many people.

    justagrlon November 07, 2011   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    There are two people singing. From "I'm laying down eating snow" to "Whispering" Cecilia Nordlund sings. She then sings with Karin from there, on through the repeated chorus.

    I'm not too sure exactly what this song is about. I definitely, in no way, think it's about sex. It being written from a deer's perspective, or some other similar animal's, has always been my impression of it. But parts of the song don't exactly add up to just that.. Like her referring to "people like us" and "handclaps". It's almost like it's about a person who dreams of being an animal. Or maybe even a person that was reincarnated as a deer. But I'm sure it goes deeper, and probably much more personal, than that. So perhaps we'll never know.

    This song, I think, is without a doubt the most beautiful song Karin has ever released.

    PikachuPlaneton July 15, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    "i'm laying down eating snow"

    sixgunbuddyguyon February 25, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i think of HOW to change myself

    a lot of hope in ONE man tent

    kimaera321on January 16, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think is my favorite from the album. It's just sensational, so lonesome and profound, but so deeply moving and beautiful.

    zoolahon March 21, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Question: beginning with the second verse "I learned to not eat the snow" and until the second chorus "whispering" doesn't the voice strike you as someone else's? It's not the usual Karin-esque. Who is it??

    By the second chorus' "morning keep the streets empty for me" it seems like that girl's voice is heard in concussion with Karin's trademark one.

    I'd be impressed if both voices were indeed Karin's.

    capriceon July 08, 2009   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    I think this is either about a shaman shapeshifter or primal survival, or both. the deer is a man and vice versa.

    xeoncaton December 19, 2009   Link

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