It's my direction
It's my proposal
It's so hard
It's leading me astray

My obsession
It's my creation
You'll understand
It's not important now

All I need is
Co-ordination
I can't imagine
My destination
My intention
Ask my opinion
But no excuse
My feelings still remain

My feelings still remain


Lyrics submitted by fletch699

Souvenir Lyrics as written by Paul David Humphreys Martin Handsley Cooper

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Souvenir song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

11 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General CommentI agree with Mode000. Obsession is taking his life over (It's my creation). He doesn't know what the end result of this obsession will be (I can't imagine
    My destination), but he's not appologizing for it.
    PieterGon October 21, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI love the simplicity. You can add this to any situation in life. Work, Art, Sex, Murder ect. because we allow ourselves to get obsessed. I've been obsessed before and it's the worst feeling!
    Mode000on May 10, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentOne of the best melodies laid down ever. Moby did a decent remix, but the original is still awesome.
    Marcus7on April 13, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General CommentThe original 3rd and 4th verses that were edited out for 7" version help to reinforce the earlier comments:

    My situation
    It's imagination
    There's no excuse
    It's instantly clear

    The conversation
    The combination
    I tell the truth
    My feelings still remain

    CharmingManon September 23, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Commentmy interpretation to this song is somewhat different to everyone elses.to me it talks about his life. - it's my direction,it's my proposal,it's so hard,'it's leading me astray.to me it says-,it's the way i'm going,i've chose that route,it's hard and i'm going down the wrong path.my obsession,it's my creation,you'll understand,it's not important now says to me - it's the route i'm going down,i've made it that way and whether you listen or not, it makes no difference bacause tht's the way i'm going.all i need is co-ordination,i can't imagine my destination,my intention,ask my opinion,theres no excuse,my feeling still remains says to me - i need to pick the right route but i don't know where i'm going to end up.what i say i'm going to do,i'll do.you can ask why,i've no excuses for it, but that's the way i feel and i'll just carry on regardless.
    is this a strange interpretation because to me it explains my life.
    jgmolyneuxon September 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI get it. Mode000 is so right. I too relate to it.
    Ultimate Panopticonon June 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentHmmm! Good explanation but why the title, Souvenir?
    Scolopaxon June 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI thinnk Mode000 has got it pretty much nailed - it might be called Souvenir because obsessions are kept pretty close to the heart - almost like a keepsake?

    Paul Humphreys who wrote the song always seemed to keep the meaning fairly generic when pressed.

    Still a great song - OMD's best.
    jbl1973on October 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment...I would support but add to the previous interpretations. When the song first came out I also assumed the song related to an obsession that had passed (as such it was now a souvenir - a recollection of a powerful emotion). What however always got me were the lines: "All I need is
    Co-ordination". Then I saw the video on TOTPs in the UK and it all made sense. The video has Andy M (the other member of the OMD Duo) driving an old convertible sportscar, with Paul H singing the song. It is all set in a stately home, gardens. I then assumed that the souvenir was a car he has just sold - a car he probably painstakingly restored, loved but could never drive (hence "coordination" element). Could be wrong but that kind of makes sense.... In any case apart from the beautiful simplicity of the lyrics, it is a damn good tune.
    CharmingManon March 27, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My InterpretationFor me, the are a number of images in play for both the video and the song with its lyrics, melody, the haunting religious tones of the choir, the playful hopeful exuberance of the instrument section, coupled with the thoughtful, respectful but assertive delivery of the lyrics.

    This is a coming of age song of a young man to his parents. Leaving childhood behind, throwing off the shackles of a religious parental upbringing, picking his own path that is at odds with emotional ties of his parents doctrine.

    He is grateful to his parents, but he must forge ahead with his own path, he hopes his parents will understand his need to do this. In the grand scheme of things, his so called disobedience and strong will really isn't that important.

    He believes in himself, he knows it won't be easy, it needs effort to be coordinated, but he is excited for his own outcomes.

    He says he is not closed off to his parents, they can ask his opinion, but by asking his opinion they have no right to force him to change his mind. He is a valid grown up, capable of self determination. He refuses to be swayed by a conflict of doctrine between himself and his parents. His feelings and beliefs are his own personal possessions.

    There is a hint of sadness, that his parentsstill want to interfere and he has to repeat himself, to stand his ground.

    The souvenirs the haunting echo from the past when he was unconditionally loved by his parent, represented by the slowed down choir, the playful instrumental chorus is his inner child making music trying to harmonize with his parents seeking their approval. But it is the lingering choir that is the last link to childhood he can'quite bring himself to abandon completely.

    In the video Paul is standing over the concrete balcony, supporting himself in a slightly defensive body posture., with open space outstretched in front of him, representative of all the hopes and dreams he is ready to unfold.

    Andy driving the red Volkswagen Kharmann Ghia, is representing Paul's confident futurere self, reaching adulthood by virtue of the fact you have to reach 17 to be able to drive. The fact is in red symbolises power, control, destiny and purpose fulness. The model of car is significant, it's not a teenage boys first clapped out banger. It is symbolic of success, prestige, admiration and respect that he has attained for himself. External approval for his future self is no longer necessary.

    The lingering sadness that his parents cannot accept him still remains. He will be haunted by that Souvenir, and as a good son that is his curse to bear.
    WendyJukon November 06, 2021   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top