We can talk for hours
And the line is still engaged
Were not getting any closer
You're too many miles away

And I might as well be talking backwards
Am I making any sense to you
And they only thing that really matters
Is the one thing that I can't seem to do

When the night was over
And the field was lit up bright
And I want to tell you
Nothing I said came out right

And I might as well be talking backwards
Am I making any sense to you
And they only thing that really matters
Is the one thing that I can't seem to do

And I might as well be talking backwards
Am I making any sense to you
And they only thing that really matters
Is the one thing that I can't seem to
Make sense of this dream
It's the one thing I can't seem to do


Lyrics submitted by kzdaniele, edited by squonkwaltz, Michael451

Talking Backwards Lyrics as written by Martin Courtney Alexander William Bleeker

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Talking Backwards song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I think the song is about the writer's inability to convey his feelings without saying "I love you" to his girlfriend

    He is trying to explain his feelings for her but might as well be talking backwards because the "only thing that really matters" to his girlfriend is hearing I love you and that "is the one thing that (he) can't seem to do"

    Also the imagery of war in the song is over him saying the words and "the line (that) is still engaged" is the metaphorical line of him saying I love you and she is "too many miles away" meaning she is set on him saying it no matter what other words he uses to express his affection

    Cockopotamuson April 21, 2015   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    He's saying "the only thing that really matters," not "they only thing." I tried to edit lyrics and it shows me as having contributed, but still the same. Just pronounces differently than in the next line. Is like a computer algorithm posted these lyrics with no regard to context or logical sense.

    Michael451on March 17, 2020   Link
  • -4
    General Comment

    Without a doubt, this is about Crimea. Obama and Putin talked on the phone about it, but never in person. No face to face meetings between leaders Kissinger said this was a huge diplomatic mistake because body language and tone are such significant components of communication.

    "We can talk for hours and the line is still engaged. We're not getting any closer. You're too many miles away."

    This is Obama - he's on the phone. Too lazy or scared to talk about it face to face.

    "And I might as well be talking backwards. Am I making any sense to you? And the only thing that really matters is the one thing I can't seem to do."

    Obama is too scared to be a hawk. He just wants to talk on the phone, which is a waste of time. He might as well be talking backwards.

    Rockyshortson April 08, 2014   Link

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