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."
You're so transparent, I can guess without question
You need something or other to cover your expression
I bought you some sunspecs from the local hipsters' store
I need you more or less, you need me more and more
I'm so transparent, you can guess without question
I need something or other to cover my expression
Buy me some sunspecs, the kind of ones you wore
>From the local hipsters' store
You need me more or less, I need you more and more
You need something or other to cover your expression
I bought you some sunspecs from the local hipsters' store
I need you more or less, you need me more and more
I'm so transparent, you can guess without question
I need something or other to cover my expression
Buy me some sunspecs, the kind of ones you wore
>From the local hipsters' store
You need me more or less, I need you more and more
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Untitled Melody Lyrics as written by Edwyn Stephen Collins
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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