More Than This

to understand this song, one should read the 17th century Dutch philosopher -Baruch Spinoza. In essence, Spinoza, lthough being a religious Jew, was in effect one of the first heralds of secular (dis-)believes in modern times. Nature is god, said Spinoza, and there is no transcendental one. More then this - there is nothing. Determinism governs the world and free will is an illusion. But our limited mind, of course, it "feels" like we are free, but that's just out epidemiological limit. So, how can we know where leaves falling in the night are blowing? there is no way of knowing. Our lives appear to us an an unfolding, open ended movie. like a dream in the night, we can never know where we are going. Still, deep within us, we ask the question of the determinism we see around us - why the sea on the tide can has no way of turning (e.g, choose is way). We feel we are free, but we see determinism surrounding us. We want the comfort of certainty and absolute knowledge, but also fear it since its consequence will surly mean we are no more then sophisticated automatons. The solution for this dilemma is written in the second stanza: accept the uncertainty and re-joy in it (no care in the world). the official video of the song, appear to support this thesis. It has religious icons and setting (cross, and hell-like environment), Bryan is sitting in a cinema, watching himself play in a scene.

Bryan Ferry does a masterful job with the lyrics of "More Than This". I think this is one of those rare songs that can be interpreted 2 ways.

More than this could be thought of in the true sense of there is nothing more to the situation he is singing about (relationship, life, etc.), that this is the best it's going to be.He has come to the realization that this is the end of the road.

On the other hand, Mr. Ferry could also be saying that in the moment he is in there is nothing more that could be added. he is in a perfect place, nothing could make it better.He has reached the pinnacle of satisfaction.

The great thing about a song like this is that the interpretation is totally up to the listener.

[Edit: Wow, over a decade since this post and I still listen to this masterpiece song regularly. Thank you to anyone who has read this and felt what I feel when I play this song in my mind or on my stereo (old school CD or vinyl I might add). This whole album is]

Do you want to make people cry? Play this at your funeral.

Roxy Music are superb. The song "More Than This" is a marvellous song about the acceptance of circumstances and human limitations.

There is nothing more than this situation, this life, this love, or this human condition. The song is open-ended in the way that the sentiment isn't urging the listener to take any particular path - it is simply telling you how things stand now, and how finite we are.

"More Than This" is a bittersweet song. It's sadness is the message of our limitation and finiteness. But it's positive message is that it's really nothing much to worry about. So live for the moment! :)

The song works on three levels as far as what the "this" means: love, life or a moment. I think the song is being sung to a new lover, and the "this" is the feeling of love that comes from being in the throes of pure passion and love. There is nothing better than that.

But I think it could also be that this is a one time encounter - that there will literally be no more of "this" between them. Could be a married person, a one night stand, a drunken mistake.

In general, it is romantic but tragic whilst maintaining this lighthearted joy to it. Acceptance of suffering is the first step to enlightment, and I feel like that is what Roxy Music does best.

i enjoyed your comments HAwkgold...this is one of those rare songs where the instrumentation works PERFECTLY with the lyricism to truly creat catharsis. the gauzy synths at the beginning, the reverb on each drum, the clean and compressed guitar tones...all these things are aesthetic benefits to the amazing lyrics...a gem.

This song, as others have said, seems to be talking about how temporary life is.

Enjoy and live for today.

This song always reminded me of a girl I dated in college, we kind of went our own ways, and one night we were talking.. she mentioned the lyrics "It was fun for a while.. There was no way of knowing"

Always stuck in my head. If she sees this.. hi Joanie :)

I have nothing against Blink 182, Sex Pistols or any other punk rock group. In fact, I like that music too. But if you check out the comments on the lyrics of those groups you will find that most of them are posts like "This song rulez!" or "What a %&$·# great song, man!", and nothing else. I'm not surprised by the fact that the persons who enjoy and love "More than this" are people with a good language ability, who can express thoughts and appreciations deeper than a mere declaration of taste. And I think that is because this song, in its melody and in its lyrics, keeps an unique flavor, an ability to make you question your life and relate the words to existence itself. And that's part of the uniqueness of this song: it attracts people who are able to make profound insights, because it is, itself, a reflection about life.

[Edit: Semantic precision]

One of those songs you can have on repeat and it wouldnt annoy you.

Bryan Ferry! I love him.

I love listening to this song, it gives a both melancholic but comforting feel. To me, it is about accepting situations as they come, and although we keep on dreaming, there is nothing more than this, what we have at the moment, and we should worship that.

We can't predict the future, and can't change anything about the past... All we have is nothing more than this... It's a down-to-earth song.

Anyway, I love how the instrumental part and lyrics match up, and it's magical to listen to. Most definitely one of my favourite songs.