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1989 Lyrics

I was born in nineteen eighty-nine
all we could do
no shakes or coughs or burst relief
or lists of all our things
just minutes making minds
I was born in nineteen eighty-nine
all we could do
but the making never made
the comers never came
but I still felt the awful news

It was patience that we had
and the miles we had left
that held us there
until we could let go

I was born in nineteen eighty-nine
and it'll be over soon
no moon children or peoples sun
or ringing in my ears
when I felt that awful news

But we found that we were always lost... in space
and we will never find our way
We felt that we would always find our way
if our minds ever come around

I was born in nineteen eighty-nine
all we could do
not in birth or body
but only in our minds
I was shaking to through my eyes
and living through each breath
I still felt that awful news
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Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

Probably my favorite song on Censored Colors, at least so far. I was born in 1988, but man does this song speak to my whole generation. I love it.

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

I myself was born in 1989...

I feel like when I'm old and grey, this song will be something I'll sing to my grandkids

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

i read somewhere that john mentioned the 'event' was the gulf war. but the gulf war started in 1990 and he just changed the lyric to 1989 because it fit much better.

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

taken from absolutepunk-- "'1989,' a track off of Censored Colors detailing John Gourley's recollection of the Gulf War and how it affected him"

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

this song is an orgasm in my ears.

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

I deffinitely agree with you Fortress.. This song is amazing, it's my favorite PTM song..

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

I saw them recently at the Brewery in Raleigh NC and asked John what this song was about. It's about the year his eyes were truly opened, when he realized that the world wasn't such a warm fuzzy place

"not in birth or body but only in our minds"

sounds about right to me

Not Valid

I went to that show as well. I actually talked to John Gourley as well. Found out his guitar was a gift from his parents for his birthday before last, incase you wanted to know as well.

Not Valid

he specifically says "I still felt the awful news". Was there a specific event in 1989 that caused this?

Not Valid
Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

haaaa, i thought i'd spam a little bit more just to back up what i said first

"the epic '1989,' in which the singer touches upon the effect the Persian Gulf War had on his life. [Yes, this war started in 1990, but '1990' didn't fit musically, so Gourley changed history for the benefit of the song.]"

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

my first impression from this song was that it was about the simplicity of being young. but i guess i was too far off.

Cover art for 1989 lyrics by Portugal. The Man

i personally think the "awful news" was about the Exxon Valdez oil spill that happened on the shores of Alaska. He grew up in Alaska and it happened in 1989. Makes sense.