In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes, we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes forever and ever
What'd you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I'll drink all the time
'Cause we're lovers, and that is a fact
Yes, we're lovers, and that is that
Though nothing will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes forever and ever
What'd you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them forever and ever
Oh, we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame was on the other side
Oh, we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We're nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit, edited by retro1986
Heroes Lyrics as written by David Bowie Brian Peter George Eno
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Interesting song, with lyrics that to me seem to clash. He’s saying “Though nothing will keep us together” which isn’t exactly reassuring or romantic in the least. He says “You, you can be mean. And I, I’ll drink all the time”. Oh righty then, you can gleam from that what you like. Not exactly clear in the least.
“And the shame was on the other side”. “ We're nothing, and nothing will help us”. “Maybe we're lying, then you better not stay, but we could be safer, just for one day”
Really out there lyrics that don’t exactly paint a pretty picture even though you may consider this a feel good song due to the lyrics “We can be heroes, just for one day”
I’m thinking this song is about war & strife, due to the unevenness of it & how the sentiments expressed seem to collide with one another.
The shame “being on the other side” “Then you better not stay, so we/you can be safer” ‘“Though nothing will drive them away”, “We can beat them, forever and ever”, seems to illustrate how one would think and feel about an enemy country in a time of war, so whatever the song is about, it’s clear that David & his friend seem to be in the thick of it as they say.
More concerning than reassuring, this is about the impermanence of things during a time of great upheaval and how despite everything we can be “ok” even if for only one day. Great song, but one that I”m afraid is taken for granted. It has more meaning behind it than one may think. But this is just my take on it. I respect the views that all of you have on this extraordinary song.
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