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Clean Lyrics

Clean
The cleanest I've been
An end to the tears
And the in-between years
And the troubles I've seen

Now that I'm clean
You know what I mean
I've broken my fall
Put an end to it all
I've changed my routine
Now I'm clean

I don't understand
What destiny's planned
I'm starting to grasp
What is in my own hands
I don't claim to know
Where my holiness goes
I just know that I like
What is starting to show

Sometimes

Clean
The cleanest I've been
An end to the tears
And the in-between years
And the troubles I've seen

Now that I'm clean
You know what I mean
I've broken my fall
Put an end to it all
I've changed my routine
Now I'm clean

As years go by
All the feelings inside
Twist and they turn
As they ride with the tide
I don't advise
And I don't criticise
I just know what I like
With my own eyes

Sometimes

Clean
The cleanest I've been
An end to the tears
And the in-between years
And the troubles I've seen

Now that I'm clean
You know what I mean
I've broken my fall
Put an end to it all
I've changed my routine
Now I'm clean

Sometimes
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20 Meanings

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Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

At my humble opinion Martin is talking about someone who has finally taken over his own life, which has been controlled by his extreme rigor upon himself until today ("I don't claim to know / Where my holiness goes / I just know that I like / What is starting to show"). He's telling to himself he'll be who really is from now on and not the character he has played in his life while he has also stopped to give excessive importance to the other people's opinions (All the feelings inside / Twist and they turn / As they ride with the tide / I don't advise / And I don't criticise / I just know what I like / With my own eyes). Therefore the sensation of cleaness that he's talking about it's caused by this new taste of freedom. However all of this is still unsteady on his mind and that's the reason why a dark voice sings "Sometimes" along the lyrics...

I think this is the rightest interpretation. It's about being yourself, transparent, clear, and not conformist. Being yourself is the best way to resolve every problem and to take right decisions.

The cleanest I've been An end to the tears And the in-between years And the troubles I've seen

Now that I'm clean You know what I mean I've broken my fall Put an end to it all I've changed my routine Now I'm clean

Not Valid
Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

I love how almost every comment on songmeanings makes every song look to be about drugs and/or a failed relationship. They may be the most cliched things in the world to write a song about, but that doesn't mean that every song is about them.

It's a good thing that people like circusjuggler are around to offset some of the idiocy, because this song is clearly not about drugs or some girl/boy, despite the title.

@jadius only this time it is about Dave his drug addiction past! "You know what I mean..."

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

its clearly spiritual, destiny is a choice, so are drugs and relationships, breaking the fall is pretty straight forward but as they say, if you have to ask, you will never know...try listening more, you might just hear the answer for yourself

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

This song sexy

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

I don't think it's about drugs at all. It's more than likely about the end of a relationship, or figuring out what he wants out of love, relationships, etc. It's a great song and a fitting end to a great album.

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

I think it could be about drugs but more like "feelings are becoming true".You know, your soul becomes an adult. You stop to being an emotion silly. and, yes, so sexy. voices, music, everything is perfect. :)

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

Has anyone noticed the dark whisper scream at about 3:38 into this song?????? what is he saying?

@ShadowMan the cleanest I've been!

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

^It's just "the cleanest I've been"

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

its clearly spiritual, destiny is a choice, so are drugs and relationships, breaking the fall is pretty straight forward but as they say, if you have to ask, you will never know...try listening more, you might just hear the answer for yourself

Cover art for Clean lyrics by Depeche Mode

For all the songs Depeche Mode has that doubt faith or religion in general, I like to think this song is honestly about repenting of your sins. Putting a bad lifestyle behind you, being forgiven, and moving on. He says he's breaken his fall, as in he's stopped his descent into hell. It's a pretty good feeling, and I believe the song captures it pretty well.