Doing nothing stuck in the mud
Just pumping the blood
The water level's getting low
Something ugly is going to show
If I could only touch you
I guess you'd be alarmed
If only I could touch you
I don't mean you no harm
If only I could touch you
like the wind can touch the sail
If only I could touch you, darling
now that words have failed
Oh, Flotsam still afloat
Oh, Jetsam thrown out of the boat
Oh love, my love
nothing here is what it seems
We both know it
Christ! you show it
Oh, oh my love
Just pumping the blood
The water level's getting low
Something ugly is going to show
If I could only touch you
I guess you'd be alarmed
If only I could touch you
I don't mean you no harm
If only I could touch you
like the wind can touch the sail
If only I could touch you, darling
now that words have failed
Oh, Flotsam still afloat
Oh, Jetsam thrown out of the boat
Oh love, my love
nothing here is what it seems
We both know it
Christ! you show it
Oh, oh my love
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What crime could it be? Rape?
"If only I could touch you
I guess you'd be alarmed
If only I could touch you
I don't mean you any harm"
A lot of artists feel their relationship with the audience, akin to one with a woman.
'If only I could Touch you.'
If only I could get through, to make you see.
It's a fantasy, really, because Peter Gabriel already had hordes of fans, that had already been 'touched'.
The part about 'something ugly's gonna show' refers to being a solo artist, and not having four talented musicians to cover up the imperfections.
an insecurity issue, butterflies, stagefright, call it what you will.
You have to understand the 'I talk in pictures not in words' scenario.