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Brooke Fraser – Arithmetic Lyrics 16 years ago
To the listener, I would agree there's a certain ambiguity to this song. I'd have to say though, that it doesn't make much sense for Brooke to be singing about anyone else but God in this song.

The first verse is fairly vague, lending itself to the love between two people or the love between a person and their Saviour. From the latter perspective, she talks about marveling at creation and wondering what to do with her life on Earth until she can be face-to-face with her creator. The second verse definitely makes me think this song is directed toward God. The lyrics come from a Christian and deal with singularity: " But of all the things I know for sure / You're the only certain one / You are the one I want, you are the one I want." To a Christian, God is the only One who we can be certain of and receive perfect guidance from in our day-to-day lives. She seems to be saying that, though her thoughts change all the time, her faith in God is the only certain thing.

The second verse also supports her singing to God because of its relation to grace. She says has done wrong and would "apologize all the way to you, if the heavens stretched that far." These two lines pretty much cement the idea that the song is about God. First, because our apologies will never suffice to what it means to follow Christ. We accept that we will never be perfect and must accept God's grace for us. Secondly, she references "the heavens," which seems unnecessary unless she was addressing God. Sure, she could just be using a metaphor, but I think the other information shows that that's probably not the case.

The last bit that supports what I'm saying relates to grace as well. The lyrics read:

I won't find what I am looking for
If I only "see" by keeping score
'Cos I know now you are so much more than arithmetic

'Cos if I add, if I subtract
If I give it all, try to take some back
I've forgotten the freedom that comes from the fact
That you are the sum
So you are the one
I want

It seems clear she's talking about the grace of God. No matter what she does, good or bad, God will always love her the same. When she says that she's "forgotten the freedom that comes from the fact," it means she once knew of it, which wouldn't make much sense if it was about a person. Her words seem directed toward something much bigger than a person. She even refers to Him as the "sum," which seems almost like idolatry coming from a Christian, if she's talking about a man

Lastly, she talks about the end of her life and departing this world to enter Heaven. Again, you have to take into consideration that she is a Christian, it makes all the difference. Since she's says, "From a life that sung your song," she's talking about living her life for Christ. Seems a bit extreme to be about a husband.

So yeah, I just spent like eight minutes writing this, but what can I say... I was bored. God Bless.


submissions
Death Cab for Cutie – 20th Century Towers Lyrics 17 years ago
I think it's so interesting to see how a song can be interpreted hso many different ways. It just goes to show how talented Ben is at writing lyrics. His songs are always so open in that they allow different viewpoints, yet they are still resonant enough not to be considered vague.

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M83 – Skin of the Night Lyrics 17 years ago
This song is pure sex and I love it. For those of you familiar with the animated 90's classic Felix The Cat, this song somehow reminds me of it. Weird, I know...

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M83 – Kim & Jessie Lyrics 17 years ago
*sobering an illusional love

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M83 – Kim & Jessie Lyrics 17 years ago
I agree with fuddypants. The repetition of the chorus seems to illustrate the point about reality sobering disillusioned love. I really like this song.

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M83 – Kim & Jessie Lyrics 17 years ago
I agree with fuddypants. The repetition of the chorus seems to illustrate the point about reality sobering disillusioned love. I really like this song.

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M83 – Until the Night Is Over Lyrics 17 years ago
This song has such fragile beauty. It's almost a proclamation of inability and failure. The buoyancy of the song and its length seem to say that it's been a long and drowning journey, but that the person is ready to move on with life, even if it's through their own downfall.

submissions
M83 – Until the Night Is Over Lyrics 17 years ago
This song has such fragile beauty. It's almost a proclamation of inability and failure. The buoyancy of the song and its length seem to say that it's been a long and drowning journey, but that the person is ready to move on with life, even if it's through their own downfall.

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