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.
We're living in the land of make-believe
And trying not to let it show
Maybe in that land of make-believe
Heartaches can turn into joy.
We're breathing in the smoke of high and low
We're taking up a lot of room
Somewhere in the dark and silent night
Our prayer will be heard, make it soon.
So fly little bird
Up into the clear blue sky
And carry the word
Love's the only reason why, why.
OPen up the shutters on your windows
Unlock all the locks upon your doors
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams
No secrets come between us any more
Oh say it's true
Only love will see you through
You know what love can do to you.
We're living in a land of make-believe
And trying not to let it show
Maybe in that land of make-believe
Heartaches can turn into joy.
We're breathing in the smoke of high and low
We're taking up a lot of room
Somewhere in the dark and lonely night
Our prayer will be heard, make it soon.
So fly little bird
Up into the clear blue sky
And carry the word
Love's the only reason why, why.
Open up the shutters on your windows
Unlock all the locks upon your doors
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams
No secrets come between us any more
Oh say it's true
Only love will see you through
You know what love can do to you.
And trying not to let it show
Maybe in that land of make-believe
Heartaches can turn into joy.
We're breathing in the smoke of high and low
We're taking up a lot of room
Somewhere in the dark and silent night
Our prayer will be heard, make it soon.
So fly little bird
Up into the clear blue sky
And carry the word
Love's the only reason why, why.
OPen up the shutters on your windows
Unlock all the locks upon your doors
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams
No secrets come between us any more
Oh say it's true
Only love will see you through
You know what love can do to you.
We're living in a land of make-believe
And trying not to let it show
Maybe in that land of make-believe
Heartaches can turn into joy.
We're breathing in the smoke of high and low
We're taking up a lot of room
Somewhere in the dark and lonely night
Our prayer will be heard, make it soon.
So fly little bird
Up into the clear blue sky
And carry the word
Love's the only reason why, why.
Open up the shutters on your windows
Unlock all the locks upon your doors
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams
No secrets come between us any more
Oh say it's true
Only love will see you through
You know what love can do to you.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
The Land of Make-Believe Lyrics as written by Justin Hayward
Lyrics © Fintage House Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I've always loved this song and found it inspiring, but now that I listen to it carefully, it becomes distinctly fragmented, and the fragments each seem to tell a different story.
First, there are the "we" sections. Either the singer is singing to the loved one, or the singer is telling the audience about how he and the loved one feels. In both cases, he's not very sure; love has fooled him / them so many times before. It is a kind of faith that maybe this time it will work out, even considering all the failures before. It's better to not let it show, since it is so fragile. Even calling it love or showing that it is love might be enough to break it.
Then there's the section where the singer is singing to a bird, telling it to fly etc. This is also quite beautiful, but it reminds me of 2 related stories. One is from the Bible, where each day a bird is released by Noah. If I recall that story correctly, it was the return of the bird that gave the true message - whether the waters had receded. The other bird story is more of an image: birds released to symbolize a hero's death.
Finally, there are the "you" sections of the song. There is no mystery to these: the singer is directly advising us, the audience, to open ourselves up to love, and to clean out the cobwebs in our daydreams, for instance. He reminds us that we know the benefits of this, and that it is the only way. He wants us to explicitly agree.
Altogether, the song should seem somewhat fragmented, but it all holds together remarkably well, I suppose due to the fantastic artistry of the Moodies.
@briandashhansen wow...perfect words to describe this incredible song.