I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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
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
Lyrics submitted by shut
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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. <br /> <br /> The cleanest I've been<br /> An end to the tears<br /> And the in-between years<br /> And the troubles I've seen<br /> <br /> Now that I'm clean<br /> You know what I mean<br /> I've broken my fall<br /> Put an end to it all<br /> I've changed my routine<br /> Now I'm clean<br /> <br />
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..."
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
I honestly think, as for many Depeche Mode songs, that the dark tone is part of the meaning. What I see here is the birth of a fanatic ("my holiness") who, as many fanatics, has been previously a "big sinner". The find the song threatening and dark, and I like it very much for this portrait I see on it.
This song sexy
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.
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. :)
Has anyone noticed the dark whisper scream at about 3:38 into this song?????? what is he saying?
@ShadowMan the cleanest I've been!
^It's just "the cleanest I've been"
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