Per the FAQ on Keane's website, Keane's drummer Richard Hughes, stated the following:
"We've been asked whether "Somewhere Only We Know" is about a specific place, and Tim has been saying that, for him, or us as individuals, it might be about a geographical space, or a feeling; it can mean something individual to each person, and they can interpret it to a memory of theirs... It's perhaps more of a theme rather than a specific message... Feelings that may be universal, without necessarily being totally specific to us, or a place, or a time..."
With the nostalgic sentiment and the overall tone of the song, I think Keane is attempting to express a Portuguese term known as 'saudade', which does not have a direct English translation but roughly means "that which we remember because it is gone."
Well come tell me your story
I'll tell you mine
Sunday morning communion
Standing in a line
Feeling like a cannibal
Eating flesh and drinking blood
Diguised as wine
I know someday we're gonna see
Wings spring out from your shoulders
What kind of being are you
For there are moments upon moments
Upon moments
When you hardly seem to walk the earth
And I realize I've spent my whole life searching
Searching for an angel
For an angel (you're an angel)
So come tell me your story
I'll tell you all
Looking at rococo statues
And paintings on the wall
Sitting up there high and mighty
Was this eden was this hell
I had to know
I'll tell you mine
Sunday morning communion
Standing in a line
Feeling like a cannibal
Eating flesh and drinking blood
Diguised as wine
I know someday we're gonna see
Wings spring out from your shoulders
What kind of being are you
For there are moments upon moments
Upon moments
When you hardly seem to walk the earth
And I realize I've spent my whole life searching
Searching for an angel
For an angel (you're an angel)
So come tell me your story
I'll tell you all
Looking at rococo statues
And paintings on the wall
Sitting up there high and mighty
Was this eden was this hell
I had to know
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

Somewhere Only We Know
Keane
Keane

Alma Matters
Morrissey
Morrissey
The man has pseudo-friends who constantly criticize his actions. They moralize him, "teach" him and advise him to make a significant change in his life, because the way he is and what he does is not what they say it should be. They may find his life lame or immoral. They hold themselves up as role models. The man replies that he will make his own choices and decisions and he does not agree to unconditionally make himself under the influence of questionable quality advice. He justifies this by saying that there is always someone for whom he will be important, no matter what he does and no matter what he is. Although it is not said directly, I read it as meaning that he will always be important to himself in every way and he will always have his own support.
"Everyone is different and maybe that's a good thing, but you exceeded that mark 1000 times" - I remember very well how sad the words I once heard (from my peers and it was in negative context) at school made me feel.

Loved by You
Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber
The fourteenth track, "Loved By You" of the singer's latest studio album titled "Justice", was produced by Josh Gudwin, Skrillex, Jason Evigan & LeriQ. It was released on March 19, 2021.

High On Life
Viyaa
Viyaa
This track marks the first collaboration between the artists. It was produced in its entirety by Datbeatgod and released for public consumption on January 1, 2021.

Up 2020
Uncle Murda
Uncle Murda
This standout song of the rapper's latest studio album titled "Don’t Come Outside, Vol. 3" was produced by Great John. The track was released via major streaming platforms on January 1, 2021.