In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Look at all that shines
Baby's down on the world and she knows it
If your spirits running
Why don't we make it rain like we used to
We run
We hide
We wait and we want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Look at all the crimes
Baby's down on the world cause she owns it
Making up her life
Nothing more nothing less makes it voodoo
We run
We hide
We wait and we want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Well look at all that shines
Baby's down on the world and she knows it
If your spirits fine
Why don't we make it rain like we used to
We run
We hide
We want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted you could be right,
You could be certain
You could be right
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted you could be right,
You could be certain
You could be right
Ah, Elegantly wasted feels like feels like
Elegantly wasted you could be right,
Elegantly wasted you could be certain
Elegantly wasted you could be right
Feels right, feels right
Baby's down on the world and she knows it
If your spirits running
Why don't we make it rain like we used to
We run
We hide
We wait and we want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Look at all the crimes
Baby's down on the world cause she owns it
Making up her life
Nothing more nothing less makes it voodoo
We run
We hide
We wait and we want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Well look at all that shines
Baby's down on the world and she knows it
If your spirits fine
Why don't we make it rain like we used to
We run
We hide
We want
The good life
Aw sure
You're right
This ain't, the good life
Ah, Elegantly wasted you could be right,
You could be certain
You could be right
Ah, Elegantly wasted
Ah, Elegantly wasted you could be right,
You could be certain
You could be right
Ah, Elegantly wasted feels like feels like
Elegantly wasted you could be right,
Elegantly wasted you could be certain
Elegantly wasted you could be right
Feels right, feels right
Lyrics submitted by wumpscut.angel
Elegantly Wasted Lyrics as written by Andrew Charles Farriss Michael Hutchence
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
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,
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I have just read the INXS autobiography. It is rumoured that Michael Hutchence sings "I'm better than Oasis" during the song, instead of one of the "Elegantly Wasted" lines. This song was recordde shortly after Michael presented an award to Oasis, wher Liam said that they shouldn't be getting their award from a has been. Anyone tried listening closely to the song to determine whether this is true ?
LOL... it would be good if thats true.<br /> I would say kinda sounds like "im wayy better than oasis"
Robertf1, No i don't think that it is true, i've listened closely and i can't make that out in any of the lines, wouldnt be a problem if he did though. Those Oasis pricks, imagine them saying derogatory comments about a legend of Australian music like Michael Hutcehnce no respect by those wankers, which explains why they havent made a good song since there one successful album
Okay, this is the first song that I really really liked. I was about 9 when it came out. I was a different case because most preteens were listening to the backstreet boys and similar crap at the time. But as a little 9 year old, I LOVED and still do LOVE this song! I can never forget the chorus, the way Michael just belts his lungs out. I've been listening to it for nine years and it's still fuckin' awesome. Also, I should note that I bought the album before Michael passed away, so that was a monumental time to buy the album. Best song on Elegantly Wasted, but there are also some other awesome tracks too. Give it a listen. RIP Hutchence
GOD how come no one comments on any inxs? this is one of my favorite songs by them i think, it's such a shame michael hutchence had to die because i love this band forever
Micheal wrote this song when his and Paula's life had become a sick fasination for the london tabloids. He wanted to write a bunch of new songs and vent his frustrations through music, one of those songs became elegantly wasted. When Micheal was writing this song he was sober. It was aimed at the media's ability to invade their privacy and sanity.
I have to agree with sundials - why does no one comment on these songs? It's not like they're an unknown band or something. Anyway, I'll go ms gurr when it comes to interpretation, because I wouldn't have a clue myself, and hers/his seems well thought out.
hear hear. they were the biggest aussie band. maybe.... nah theres no explanation!
I don't know what it means, but really...I love them, and this song especially. Can you tell?
I think this song's about the 'rock star life' - you own the world, you drink and you do drugs and you're one of the beautiful ones, 'elegantly wasted' in crushed velvet, but it isn't really the good life and you know it. Always looking for the next step up, looking for the 'real' good life.
Robertl1, actually there is a line where inxs sings "I'm better than Oasis".. if your stereo has back-vocals loudspeakers than you can hear it..otherwise it's hard to notice it.. what else to say...the song is smooth and sexy...tru master-piece..