Well, you were happy where you were
But that girl she wheeled you in
This time was never good enough
'Cause she was gone and seen everything
And if you ever spoke of love
She just smiled and put you down
'Cause she was making all the plans
She had a vision of light and sound

She said the neon on the river will light my way
And everything that we've been dreaming of making real one day
So save your money pack your bags
We better run before we disappear
She took the train into the city but you're still here

You hear a song that takes you back
The song long for God tonight
And friends who said they hang your back
But they just turned them round and let you fight
And on the bowling alley wall
You used all your smartest minds
But they'll be painted over now
Looks like here gonna get left behind

She said the neon on the river will light my way
And all the things that we've been dreaming of making real one day
So save your money, pack your bags
I wanna run with you on Stamford hill
She took the train into the city but you stood still

You stood still about the train
You knew as you watched her go
That she wan never coming back
And start to places that you know
You said you're scared if I
And that didn't want to go
Where everyone else goes

She said the neon on the river will light my way
And everything that we've been dreaming of making real one day
So save your money, pack your bags
We better run before we disappear
She took the train into the city but you're still here
She took the train into the city but you're still here


Lyrics submitted by scousersfc, edited by owl21, CinderLunar

Neon River Lyrics as written by Richard David Hughes Jesse Quin

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Neon River song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Commenti love this song! its about a guy in love with a girl who wanted much more and left him and everything behind. or thats how i see it
    sirsumeron October 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI also believe it's about a man who prefers countryside to the city, contrary to the girl and that's a reason why they broke up.
    yohoon March 13, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI feel like this song is a extended version of the strangeland song. You might wanna check my annalisys of that one.

    I believe the main theme of the album is realism x idealism shaped in themes like "the old days", "break-ups" and some others.

    This song in particular is about a man's idealistic perspective and a girl's pragmatic perspective. What it means is that the girl will decide to take real life risks while the boy will try to convey emotions in the relationship.

    They both fail in their attempt and some lines describes that. The boy tries to speak of love but she just smiles and puts him down. On the other hand, the girl takes the train to live a new life (in the strangeland!) and the guy decides to stay behind.

    Well, the real world isn't meant for everybody the same way that emotional experiences aren't appealing for some. I believe the song also tries to show a way to merge these perceptions of life. The girl tries to point directions by which the boy can caught up to her, or, as the song says, a neon river to light his way.

    Some will find a way to relate to their opposites, some will find the end of the journey frustating. Hopefully, we'll have Keane to put these experiences in songs!
    jonovatoon January 21, 2016   Link

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