Lyric discussion by mikebeacon 

Cover art for But Not Tonight lyrics by Depeche Mode

I can't believe no one gets this one. It's a break up song.

He's obviously upset about a losing a long term relationship (haven't felt so alive in years). But he's also happy to be out out of it (haven't felt so alive in years).

Re-read the lyrics with this in mind and it will all click.

It's an amazing song.

Song Meaning

@mikebeacon I can't believe YOU did not get this one. He obviously died! "The stars in the sky bring tears to my eyes, they're lighting my way, tonight." Where is he going, why are the stars guiding him? "And I haven't felt so alive, in years." Because he died when he was an old man. Now, moments after his death, he is exiting his body full of life again. How can you see the moon and the stars when it is raining? Then the song says," Reminding me of so many...

@mikebeacon

"I've been mistaken for dead, BUT NOT TONIGHT."

that's right. tonight he is NOT mistaken for dead. He's as alive as he as ever been even though his eyes are red from crying (the rain).