In the calling out to one another
Of the lovers up and down the strand
In the sound of the waves and the cries
Of the seagulls circling the sand

In the fragments of the songs
Carried down the wind from some radio
In the murmuring of the city in the distance
Ominous and low

I hear the sound of the world where we played
And the far too simple beauty of the promises we made

If you ever need holding
Call my name, and I'll be there
If you ever need holding
And no holding back, I'll see you through
Sky blue and black

Where the touch of the lover ends
And the soul of the friend begins
There's a need to be separate and a need to be one
And a struggle neither wins

But you gave me the world I was in
And a place I could make a stand
I could never see how you doubted me
When I'd let go of your hand

Yeah, and I was much younger then
And I must have thought that I would know
If things were going to end

And the heavens were rolling
Like a wheel on a track
And our sky was unfolding
And it'll never fold back
Sky blue and black

And I'd have fought the world for you
(I'd have fought the world for you)
If I thought that you wanted me to
Or put aside what was true or untrue (true or untrue)
If I'd know that's what you needed
What you needed me to do

But the moment has passed by me now
To have put away my pride
And just come through for you somehow

If you ever need holding
Call my name, I'll be there
If you ever need holding
And no holding back, I'll see you through

You're the color of the sky
Reflected in each store-front window pane
You're the whispering and the sighing of my tires in the rain

You're the hidden cost and the thing that's lost
In everything I do
Yeah and I'll never stop looking for you
In the sunlight and the shadows

And the faces on the avenue
That's the way love is
That's the way love is
That's the way love is
Sky, sky blue and black


Lyrics submitted by kickin000

Sky Blue and Black Lyrics as written by Jackson Browne

Lyrics © Jackson Browne/Swallow Turn Music/Night Kitchen Music/Open Window Music

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Sky Blue and Black song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    I think for the most part he's singing about being in a relationship where you belong, where you fit in, that makes you feel complete. But as time goes by you change, both of you. And at the end of the day this relationship wasn't meant to be. It was a younger love, more innocent than anything else. and eventually: "Where the touch of the lover ends And the soul of the friend begins"

    He didn't really understand her, didn't know when to swallow his pride and what it was that needed fixing. But the memory of that belonging of being complete is something he'll remember and always look for. At least thats what i think.

    AND I AGREE WITH hippycoED SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL IS NOT TO BE COMPARED WITH ROSS AND RACHEL!!!!

    BeeMeNowon March 18, 2009   Link

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