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"
We all have secret lives
In our secret rooms,
Living in our movies,
humming our own tunes
Living life in camera,
When the night is closing dovn,
Sliding into darkness,
You could be like me
Where are you going?
What are you doing?
Why are you looking
At the cameras eye?
Where are you staying?
Why are you leaving?
We watch you breathing
through the cameras eye
We all make up our faces
The make up of the clown,
Happy leaving traces,
Of our childish background,
Pointing at the sky,
We can watch the stars
You think you're all alone,
But you never are
They ain't watching you,
They ain't watching you now,
They ain't watching you,
They ain't watching you now
Where are you going?
What are you doing?
Why are you looking
At the cameras eye?
Political sleazes,
Sexual divas,
We watch your heart beat
Through the cameras eye.
In our secret rooms,
Living in our movies,
humming our own tunes
Living life in camera,
When the night is closing dovn,
Sliding into darkness,
You could be like me
Where are you going?
What are you doing?
Why are you looking
At the cameras eye?
Where are you staying?
Why are you leaving?
We watch you breathing
through the cameras eye
We all make up our faces
The make up of the clown,
Happy leaving traces,
Of our childish background,
Pointing at the sky,
We can watch the stars
You think you're all alone,
But you never are
They ain't watching you,
They ain't watching you now,
They ain't watching you,
They ain't watching you now
Where are you going?
What are you doing?
Why are you looking
At the cameras eye?
Political sleazes,
Sexual divas,
We watch your heart beat
Through the cameras eye.
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More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
This is possibly one of the best Bruce songs ever and it hasn't been commented on? O_O It has such a haunting atmosphere and is one of the most unique songs in the Bruce catalogue.
HEY! I love this song! haha. It has a special 1984 type theme which I can't get enough of. We watch you breathing through the camera's eye. This song is about 1984. I'm sure of it. And I agree, It is one of the best and most unique bruce songs ever. <br /> <br />
This song is about how the paparazzi relentlessly follows and documents the lives of celebrities. Many of these celebrities suck this up and wind up over-exposing themselves. Cyclops is a metaphor for a camera.
Great song and amazing guitar work from Roy Z here!