Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
He told me sweet lies of sweet loves
Heavy with the burden of the truth
And he spoke of his dreams
Broken by the burden
Broken by the burden of his youth
"Fourteen years," he said
"I couldn't look into the sun
She saw him laying at the end of my gun"
Hungry for life
And thirsty for the distant river
I remember his hands
And the way the mountains looked
The light shot diamonds from his eyes
Hungry for life
And thirsty for the distant river
Like the scar of age
Written all over my face
The war is still raging inside of me
I still feel the chill
As I reveal my shame to you
I wear it like a tattoo
I wear it like a tattoo
I wear it like a tattoo
Heavy with the burden of the truth
And he spoke of his dreams
Broken by the burden
Broken by the burden of his youth
"Fourteen years," he said
"I couldn't look into the sun
She saw him laying at the end of my gun"
Hungry for life
And thirsty for the distant river
I remember his hands
And the way the mountains looked
The light shot diamonds from his eyes
Hungry for life
And thirsty for the distant river
Like the scar of age
Written all over my face
The war is still raging inside of me
I still feel the chill
As I reveal my shame to you
I wear it like a tattoo
I wear it like a tattoo
I wear it like a tattoo
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
"Like the scar of age Written all over my face The war is still raging inside of me I still feel the chill As i reveal my shame to you I wear it like a tattoo"
My gosh.. what a line!
"He told me sweet lies of sweet love Heavy with the burden of the truth And he spoke of his dreams Broken by the burden Broken by the burden of his youth" ^^here she is describing her meeting with the man who had been in vietnam
"Fourteen years, he said" ^^^from this line on the song is in the perspective of the man
"I couldn't look into the sun She saw him laying at the end of my gun Hungrey for life And thirsty for the distant river I remember his hands And the way the mountains looked The light shot diamonds from his eyes Hungry for life And thirsty for the distant river" ^^^^here the veteran is describing killing a man while the dead man's wife or daughter (i'm assuming) was witness
"Like the scar of age Written all over my face The war is still raging inside of me I still feel the chill As i reveal my shame to you I wear it like a tattoo I wear it like a tattoo I wear it like a tattoo" ^^^^and here the man is saying how the incident has scarred his life; he wears it 'like a tattoo'
--- when i really disected the lyrics the song became so much more special to me. i love the way she tells such a vivid story in so few lines
@sashkam oh my, thank you for explaining.
@sashkam
@sashkam - How old is this song and I'm just wondering what it means?? After reading your description and listening again, it brought a sincere tear to my eye.
Demystified! This what Sade said March, 4 1993 issue of the San Diego Union-Tribune;
""Like a Tattoo" was a song I wanted to write for a long time. I was in an Irish bar in New York years ago, and this man came and sat next to me and started telling me things about himself that I didn't particularly want to know. He had been in Vietnam. It's my translation of what he was saying to me."
these songs are with such passion ... sade is and will always be my favorite artist. listened to her since i was a child and now 22 . still amazing ...
I really like this song, even though the meaning isnt necessarily clear, its slow and soft and calm
I first heard this 13 years ago, when I was 9. I still can't figure out what it's about!! But it's such a beautiful and simple song..
Thanks mezz, I thought she had med some guy, they hooked up, she caught him cheating somewhere with a view of the mountains, and she killed him with a gun, and now wears the incident like a tattoo.
@sephiroth_4 You are too funny! I can get how she would...Love ain't no joke and people keep playing! LOL! Peace.
Wow............... I am a black 17 year old girl, and an extreme lover of ALL music, and this song has a special place in my heart. When I cannot sleep I listen to this song over and over again. It puts me in an peaceful place. This song is so deep it makes me weep just thinking about it!!! LOL Sade is the one of the greatest female artists...hands down!!!
Such a beautiful, amazing song. The lyrics, OMG, just breathtaking. I know this is based on a conversation Sade had with a Vietnam vet, but you can apply it to all the Iraq war vets too and even those still fighting,. So heartbreaking.
This song is about combat related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are many veterans that tell the same story, forever haunted by the visions of their encounters in war or, as in this case, haunted by the vision of the eyes of the person they shot. The story is clear to all that suffer from this injury, that will always suffer from it. Some people are not affected by such things, others are permantly affected. I know because I will always carry the burden of this truth...in the exact way Sade sings about.