There comes a time when you swim or sink
So I jumped in the drink
'Cause I couldn't make myself clear

Maybe I wrote in invisible ink
Oh I've tried to think
How I could have made it appear

But another illustration is wasted
'Cause the results are the same
I feel like a ghost who's trying to move your hands
Over some Ouija board in the hopes I can spell out my name

What some take for magic at first glance
Is just sleight of hand depending on what you believe
Something gets lost when you translate
It's hard to keep straight
Perspective is everything

And I know now which is which and what angle I oughta look at it from
I suppose I should be happy to be misread
Better be that than some of the other things I have become

But nobody wants to hear this tale
The plot is clichéd, the jokes are stale
And baby we've all heard it all before
Oh I could get specific but
Nobody needs a catalog
With details of love I can't sell anymore

And aside from that, this chain of reaction,
Baby, is losing a link
Though I'd hope you'd know what I tried to tell you
And if you don't I could draw you a picture in invisible ink

But nobody wants to hear this tale
The plot is clichéd, the jokes are stale
And baby we've all heard it all before
Oh I could get specific but
Nobody needs a catalog
With details of love I can't sell anymore


Lyrics submitted by AgathaKavka, edited by ShootTheM14, strskeptic

Invisible Ink Lyrics as written by Clayton Scoble Aimee Mann

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

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Invisible Ink song meanings
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    General Comment

    It seems to me that she is trying to communicate her deepest and darkest feelings to someone. But, for some reason the person is refusing to or just cannot connect with how she is feeling. It's like writing a 10 page letter that is stained with blood, sweat and tears, and then sending it to the object of your affection. But by the time the person receives it, all they see are 10 blank pages. And when you follow up by asking with nervous apprehension, "So, what did you think?” the person responds by saying, "What did I think about what? You sent me 10 blank pieces of paper." This is just an analogy of the hurtful feelings that can result when people are not emotionally compatible. When she refers to the cliché, to me it seems that she is referring to the saying that 'Communication is the key to healthy relationships'. And with a bit of sarcasm, she seems to be responding that while the concept sounds nice, it's easier said than done.

    ophelia219on September 23, 2004   Link

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