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Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago
Turned around backwards so the windshield shows
Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse
Still, it's so much clearer
I forgot my shirt at the water's edge
The moon is low tonight
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
I'm not sure all these people understand
It's not like years ago
The fear of getting caught
Of recklessness and water
They cannot see me naked
These things, they go away
Replaced by everyday
Nightswimming, remembering that night
September's coming soon
I'm pining for the moon
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun?
That bright, tight forever drum
Could not describe nightswimming
You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath
Nightswimming
The photograph reflects, every streetlight a reminder
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night
The photograph on the dashboard, taken years ago
Turned around backwards so the windshield shows
Every streetlight reveals the picture in reverse
Still, it's so much clearer
I forgot my shirt at the water's edge
The moon is low tonight
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
I'm not sure all these people understand
It's not like years ago
The fear of getting caught
Of recklessness and water
They cannot see me naked
These things, they go away
Replaced by everyday
Nightswimming, remembering that night
September's coming soon
I'm pining for the moon
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit
Around the fairest sun?
That bright, tight forever drum
Could not describe nightswimming
You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me
This one laughing quietly underneath my breath
Nightswimming
The photograph reflects, every streetlight a reminder
Nightswimming deserves a quiet night, deserves a quiet night
Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by kevin10400
Nightswimming Lyrics as written by Peter Buck Bill Berry
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I got the "Automatic for the People" cassette tape when I was 13 years old via a BMG subscription. I listened to this album over and over, but especially this song. I remember crying on a few occasions alone in my bedroom while listening to it and laying on the floor next to my bed. I had no idea why, but it touched me on some very deep level that my 13 year old self didn't fully understand but could feel.
Everyone has picked through the different meanings of AIDS, sex, homosexuality in the 80s, and literally swimming in the night. I think all of it is probably true, but for me, both as a 13 year old back then and a 30 year old today, its about a perfect moment in time that encapsulates your youth and total innocence. Also the feeling of complete awe toward the world around you, such as looking at the night's sky, as Stipe alludes to here.
Anyways. Those are my feelings toward this song. After listening to it right now for the first time in over 5 years and I started crying a little bit and feel the same as I did when I was 13.
I'd also add something else...<br /> <br /> As I said, for me it's about youth and innocents, but also the moment of adolscents when you are on the verge of losing that innocence. No, not your virginity-- I mean that point in time where you start to see people and the world around you differently and from a more adult point of view (see: jaded). I guess for the boys it's "Then Again, Maybe I Won't" kind of thing... and for the girls, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."<br /> <br /> "September's coming soon"<br /> <br /> School is going to start. And its the first day of that school year when everyone starts to define themselves based on a group they've gravitate toward (see: jock, nerd, punk, weirdo, etc).<br /> <br /> "You, I thought I knew you..."<br /> <br /> Everyone is changing. Your group is falling apart and soon you won't be friends the way you used to me.<br /> <br /> "this one laughing quietly underneath my breath"<br /> <br /> Some of them (maybe you) have decided they need to NOT like each in order to fit in.