Per the FAQ on Keane's website, Keane's drummer Richard Hughes, stated the following:
"We've been asked whether "Somewhere Only We Know" is about a specific place, and Tim has been saying that, for him, or us as individuals, it might be about a geographical space, or a feeling; it can mean something individual to each person, and they can interpret it to a memory of theirs... It's perhaps more of a theme rather than a specific message... Feelings that may be universal, without necessarily being totally specific to us, or a place, or a time..."
With the nostalgic sentiment and the overall tone of the song, I think Keane is attempting to express a Portuguese term known as 'saudade', which does not have a direct English translation but roughly means "that which we remember because it is gone."
There's a light behind your eyes,
I see it shining;
It only fades when you cry.
There's a heart that beats so strong,
I feel it dyin';
When the night time lasts too long.
Now you and I have lived out centuries,
And all I can say is what you've offered to me.
[Chorus]
Please don't be scared,
'Cause I've stood there too;
Between survival and the right thing to do.
'Cause only the strong admit their fears,
And if you really need me,
I'll always be here.
The parties and the lights,
Fade to memories in the still of the night.
And you wonder in your mind,
If there's nothing left to show for all the time.
'Cause feeling pain's a hard way to know you're still alive,
But someday someone will make you glad you survived.
[Chorus]
'Cause feeling pains a hard way to know you're still alive.
But someday someone will make you glad you survived.
[Chorus]
No matter where you are,
If you really need me,
I'm never far...
I see it shining;
It only fades when you cry.
There's a heart that beats so strong,
I feel it dyin';
When the night time lasts too long.
Now you and I have lived out centuries,
And all I can say is what you've offered to me.
[Chorus]
Please don't be scared,
'Cause I've stood there too;
Between survival and the right thing to do.
'Cause only the strong admit their fears,
And if you really need me,
I'll always be here.
The parties and the lights,
Fade to memories in the still of the night.
And you wonder in your mind,
If there's nothing left to show for all the time.
'Cause feeling pain's a hard way to know you're still alive,
But someday someone will make you glad you survived.
[Chorus]
'Cause feeling pains a hard way to know you're still alive.
But someday someone will make you glad you survived.
[Chorus]
No matter where you are,
If you really need me,
I'm never far...
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Please Don't Be Scared Lyrics as written by Mindy Sterling
Lyrics © DYAD Music Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings

Somewhere Only We Know
Keane
Keane

Sunglasses at Night
Corey Hart
Corey Hart
In the 1980s, sunglasses were a common fashion for people who wanted to adopt a "tough guy" persona (note all the cop shows from that era -- Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, etc. -- where the lead characters wore shades). So I think this song is about a guy who wears shades as a way of hiding his insecurity after learning that his girlfriend is cheating on him. He's trying to pretend that he's a "tough guy" to hide the fact that his girlfriend's affair is disturbing him.

MAZZA
slowthai & A$AP Rocky
slowthai & A$AP Rocky
This track is the first official collaboration between the rappers. It was produced by SAMO, slowthai himself & Kwes Darko. The track was released on January 5, 2021, in anticipation of his latest studio album titled "TYRON".

I don't want another sorry
Dax & Trippie Redd
Dax & Trippie Redd
This standalone single marks the first official collaboration between the two rappers. The track was produced by SephGotTheWaves, Stillsanexile & Trademark. It was released on December 29, 2020.

Still Luv
Kennedy Rd.
Kennedy Rd.
This standout song off her eponymously named album was produced by AVB & Itsashleetho and released on December 28, 2020.