This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Carry this picture for luck. Kept in a locket,
Tucked in your collar, close to your chest.
Make it a secret, shown to the closest friends.
And meet me at quarter to seven,
The sun will still shine then, at this time of year.
We'll head to the inlet. And we'll share a bottle there.
And color the coast with your smile
It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe.
And follor me south of the big docks, where they tether the boats,
And the rich men revere as so important, they hire our fathers to steer.
And down to the edge of the water,
Where we'll spill our guts,
And we'll name our fears. I'll give you this picture.
Kepp it and don't be scared.
And color the coast with your smile.
It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe in the coast,
Your smile is the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe
Tucked in your collar, close to your chest.
Make it a secret, shown to the closest friends.
And meet me at quarter to seven,
The sun will still shine then, at this time of year.
We'll head to the inlet. And we'll share a bottle there.
And color the coast with your smile
It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe.
And follor me south of the big docks, where they tether the boats,
And the rich men revere as so important, they hire our fathers to steer.
And down to the edge of the water,
Where we'll spill our guts,
And we'll name our fears. I'll give you this picture.
Kepp it and don't be scared.
And color the coast with your smile.
It's the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe in the coast,
Your smile is the most genuine thing I've ever seen.
I was so lost, but now, I believe
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More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I think this song is really cute.. I really like this part, "...and color the coast with your smile-its the most genuine thing ive ever seen". I have a live version of this song downloaded, and I love how he sings the song so lightly.. it just makes it all the more better. =D
I would have to agree. "Your smile, its the most genuine thing I've ever seen," is my favorite part.
I really like this song, some of his better lyrics.
I think it's just about his infatuation for a girl... he's falling for her, she's the most beautiful thing in the world to him.
yeah "...and color the coast with your smile-its the most genuine thing ive ever seen". is my favourite part too, its so lovely
yeah "...and color the coast with your smile-its the most genuine thing ive ever seen". is my favourite part too, its so lovely
This song makes me want to have gender reassignment surgery
random... why does it make you wanna be a dude/chick?
I really love this song. It makes me think of a long distance relationship. And i love the lyrics, truly I think Chris uses some of the best wording and his voice carries so much emotion and meaning behind what he sings!
"And color the coast with you smile its the most genuine thing..i've ever seen, I was so lost. But now I believe". Yeah I liked this song..I didnt stay hooked on it forever though..as I do with some songs..it kind of bored me.
....um..i love this song....but correction the song is called "carry this picture" not carry this picture for luck....(O.o)