Arithmetic

To the listener, I would agree there's a certain ambiguity to this song. I'd have to say though, that it doesn't make much sense for Brooke to be singing about anyone else but God in this song.

The first verse is fairly vague, lending itself to the love between two people or the love between a person and their Saviour. From the latter perspective, she talks about marveling at creation and wondering what to do with her life on Earth until she can be face-to-face with her creator. The second verse definitely makes me think this song is directed toward God. The lyrics come from a Christian and deal with singularity: " But of all the things I know for sure / You're the only certain one / You are the one I want, you are the one I want." To a Christian, God is the only One who we can be certain of and receive perfect guidance from in our day-to-day lives. She seems to be saying that, though her thoughts change all the time, her faith in God is the only certain thing.

The second verse also supports her singing to God because of its relation to grace. She says has done wrong and would "apologize all the way to you, if the heavens stretched that far." These two lines pretty much cement the idea that the song is about God. First, because our apologies will never suffice to what it means to follow Christ. We accept that we will never be perfect and must accept God's grace for us. Secondly, she references "the heavens," which seems unnecessary unless she was addressing God. Sure, she could just be using a metaphor, but I think the other information shows that that's probably not the case.

The last bit that supports what I'm saying relates to grace as well. The lyrics read:

I won't find what I am looking for If I only "see" by keeping score 'Cos I know now you are so much more than arithmetic

'Cos if I add, if I subtract If I give it all, try to take some back I've forgotten the freedom that comes from the fact That you are the sum So you are the one I want

It seems clear she's talking about the grace of God. No matter what she does, good or bad, God will always love her the same. When she says that she's "forgotten the freedom that comes from the fact," it means she once knew of it, which wouldn't make much sense if it was about a person. Her words seem directed toward something much bigger than a person. She even refers to Him as the "sum," which seems almost like idolatry coming from a Christian, if she's talking about a man

Lastly, she talks about the end of her life and departing this world to enter Heaven. Again, you have to take into consideration that she is a Christian, it makes all the difference. Since she's says, "From a life that sung your song," she's talking about living her life for Christ. Seems a bit extreme to be about a husband.

So yeah, I just spent like eight minutes writing this, but what can I say... I was bored. God Bless.

This is such a beautiful song

this site is about meanings and opinions so i can say what i fuckin want, and she is B.O.R.I.N.G! and anyway i don't fucken LIKE metallica bitch! Go listen to your god songs if you want, i'm not stopping you! but i don't fuckin care! Brooke sux!

where's yor pride at bu?

what is bu?

Think what you want millionaire, but disrespecting a person's opinions on religion will result in having my foot connected to your ass. I think this is a beautiful song with a lot of meaning, much more than most crap you hear on MTV (yes, I mean you hip-hop artists). Millionaire, if you don't like it, shut up and go somewhere else! Bunni and Missmuckjjj, you guys are awesome!-Hayley

I agree with you dark-artemis, but how exactly are you going to kick the ass of a faceless internet username?! :D Good song tho. Just heard it on the end of TV soap opera 'Neighbours'. I didn't know who Brooke Fraser was, till my friend told me about her. Good song, whatever it's about. I think it probably is about God, it would make sense.

"I'd apologise my way to you If the heavens stretched that far "

Don't I know it...

Really beautiful song...just sung at the wedding of a family friend. I had never considered it being about god before, funnily enough - altho no I see that fits perfectly. Could just be sum1 she loves too

metallica is my favorite band but i still like this song, do you have a problem?

i never thought about this song being about god. its not a bad thing but it seems whenever i find a really amazing and i get the impression that they are singing about a person they are in love with, it seems that they end up being about god. i dont have a problem with that but its kinda of disappointing. maybe it isnt about god tho. it most likely is tho because she sang at my best friends church in new zealand when she lived there. she was like the church singer but then she becamse more famous and stopped singing there. i love all her songs tho. -julia