This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Flocking to the sea
Crowds of people wait for me
Sea gulls scavenge
Steal ice cream
Worries vanish
Within my dream
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
Fishing boats sail past the shore
No singing may-day any more
The sun is shining
The water's clear
Just you and I walk along the pier
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
A cool breeze flows but mind the wasp
Some get stung it's worth the cost
I'd love to stay
The city calls me home
More hassles fuss and lies on the phone
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living
Living
And I, living
By the sea
Crowds of people wait for me
Sea gulls scavenge
Steal ice cream
Worries vanish
Within my dream
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
Fishing boats sail past the shore
No singing may-day any more
The sun is shining
The water's clear
Just you and I walk along the pier
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
A cool breeze flows but mind the wasp
Some get stung it's worth the cost
I'd love to stay
The city calls me home
More hassles fuss and lies on the phone
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living free
I left my soul there
Down by the sea
I lost control here
Living
Living
And I, living
By the sea
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
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
essentially, this is the audio equivalent of an autumn day at the beach. clouds in the sky, a chill in the air, but still very peaceful. wonderful
this song is amazing,they used it as the theme tune in the english t.v. docuseries shipwrecked
When I hear this song I imagine a lonely dock overlooking the sea and then this girl in a flowy dress on a cliff overlooking the dock.
pshh, you weren't kidding when you decided to name yourself "Obvious One", were you?
nice.
wtf?! seriously. did the "Obvious One" really write what i just read? God, that has to be the worst comment i have ever encountered. EVER. BWAHAHHAHA
Me finks this song is about someone who longs back to a certain holiday or vacationspot, where they got themselves lost in joyous lustful activities and managed to surpress the stress of everyday life.
Hi ,<br /> <br /> For me this song is way more then just describing the SEA or the artist's exploration of the wonders of a secluded sea or whatever . It speaks of something much Purer and higher. The Lines -<br /> <br /> "I left my soul there,<br /> Down by the sea<br /> I lost control here<br /> Living free"<br /> <br /> For me this means ten different things !! It can mean that the Author fell in love with the Sea and from that point on Started to ":Live:" ... For many others it can mean so so much..The point in the Line , LOST CONTROL , LIVING FREE can also mean a single point or period (Timeframe , Incidence , Point of time) where one can narrow down to - at which point one started to LIVE LIFE..A definate ALternate culture , Hippy vibe to this song for sure and yet it can also be interpreted as an inspirational song for people to go seek that something (maybe a partner , Maybe a vocation , maybe social service or what ever) which will allow them to live life to the fullest (Live FREE) ...<br /> <br /> Atleast thats my meaning for this song and i absolutely love this song!!
I lost my soul there down by the Thames, London is such a great city :)
left my soul*
isn't it about Brighton though?
This song is about someone that relishes that one spot... the place they can release and be themselves.. so much that they want to leave their soul there to return each time nd enjoy it.. over and over. Ordinary things are appreciated and can be special there.. the sea.
No more may days; nothing bad can happen here... life is simple fun and free.. of bullshit and just like a warm blanket for their soul.
This song is written about the beachside bar 'Bar Vasa