When we lift the covers from our feelings
We expose our insecure spots
Trust is just as rare as devotion
Forgive us our cynical thoughts
If we need too much attention

Not content with being cool
We must throw ourselves wide open
And start acting like a fool
If we need too much approval
Then the cuts can seem too cruel

Right to the heart of the matter
Right to the beautiful part
Illusions are painfully shattered
Right where discovery starts
In the secret wells of emotion
Buried deep in our hearts

It's true that love can change us
But never quite enough
Sometimes we are too tender
Sometimes we're too tough
If we get too much attention

It gets hard to overrule
So often fragile power turns
To scorn and ridicule
Sometimes our big splashes
Are just ripples in the pool
Feelings run high


Lyrics submitted by shed27

Emotion Detector Lyrics as written by Gary Lee Weinrib Neil Elwood Peart

Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment

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Emotion Detector song meanings
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  • -1
    General Comment

    The only section that I can make heads or tails out of is the first verse. I think it's saying that you must take certain risks -- giving up you reputation of being cool, and start acting a little silly. Not caring what other people think of you. As long as you are happy with who you are, that's all that matters. I could be way off, but that's what I see in that first verse.

    NUMBER 4on May 28, 2007   Link

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