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."
It's hard when a love goes wrong
Picking up the pieces to go on
Our dreams are scattered in the wind
I won't let it take me under
Even though you tried, and
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Why people lie
And break a heart in two
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
It's strange
Strange the way I feel
Time is all I need to make me heal
You're gone
And now I'm all alone (now you're all alone)
I'll reclaim the thunder
Dry the tears I've cried, still
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Why people lie
And break a heart in two
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Now I'm turning my back on confusion
It's alright, you're right, it's alright
I won't live in a world of illusion
There's no time, no time, no time
Well the river stopped running through me
You didn't see what you did to me (didn't see what you did to me)
I've got to try to find, some kind of peace of mind
You're just a mystery to me
I'll reclaim the thunder
Dry the tears I've cried, still
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Why people lie
And break a heart in two
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why, I
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why, I
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why, I
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why
Picking up the pieces to go on
Our dreams are scattered in the wind
I won't let it take me under
Even though you tried, and
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Why people lie
And break a heart in two
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
It's strange
Strange the way I feel
Time is all I need to make me heal
You're gone
And now I'm all alone (now you're all alone)
I'll reclaim the thunder
Dry the tears I've cried, still
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Why people lie
And break a heart in two
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Now I'm turning my back on confusion
It's alright, you're right, it's alright
I won't live in a world of illusion
There's no time, no time, no time
Well the river stopped running through me
You didn't see what you did to me (didn't see what you did to me)
I've got to try to find, some kind of peace of mind
You're just a mystery to me
I'll reclaim the thunder
Dry the tears I've cried, still
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
Why people lie
And break a heart in two
I wonder why
Things go the way they do
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why, I
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why, I
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why, I
I wonder why, I wonder why, I wonder why
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Somewhere Only We Know
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Just listening for the 784,654th time....and it's just perfect in every way. Just incredible. The only reason it was remade was to scoop up a boatload of money from a more modern and accepting audience. But it is a completely different song than the other one that sounds slapped together in a few takes without a thought for the meaning.
This song captivates me still, after 50+ years. Takes me to the deep South and the poverty of some who lived thru truly hard times. And the powerful spirit of a poor young girl being abandoned to her future with only a red dress and her wits to keep her alive.
She not only stayed alive, she turned her hard beginnings around, became self sufficient, successful and someone with respect for herself. She didn't let the naysayers and judgers stop her. She's the one sitting in the drivers seat at the end.
So, not a song about a poor girl, but a song of hope and how you can rise up no matter how far down you started.
There is a huge difference between a singer who simply belts out a song that is on a page in front of them, and someone who can convey an entire experience with their voice. Telling not just a story with words, but taking you inside it and making you feel like you are there, with their interpretation.
The Last Dance
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@Kahiara Actually I think the husband passed away,
"She sang for you last night
She heard you were calling"
Many people say they have felt, heard, or seen their loved ones after they have passed.
"Don't be scared now
Close your eyes
She holds guard tonight
Go on forward no remorse
Life will take it's course"
This is said to the late husband by a third part (never named), who encourages him to pass on. Because life will eventually continue. The phrase "holds guard" refers to the ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… ) which is a Christian ceremony held after someone dies. Now it is usually held right after the funeral, but in most celtiic countries the wake is held before the funeral.
"She danced with you last night so you will remember
All you have shared, a lifetime."
This sentence feels as if the only thing it wants to convey is their history together, namely, husband and wife. For the rest it just refers back to the first verse.
Keep My Name Outta Your Mouth
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This standout track comes off the artiste's latest reissue titled "Brothers Deluxe Remastered 10th Anniversary Edition". The track was produced by Mark Neill, Patrick Carney & Dan Auerbach. It was released via major streaming platforms on December 18, 2020.
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This standalone single marks the first official collaboration between the two rappers. The track was produced by SephGotTheWaves, Stillsanexile & Trademark. It was released on December 29, 2020.