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In a Manner of Speaking
Nouvelle Vague Lyrics


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In a manner of speaking
I just want to say
That I could never forget the way
You told me everything
By saying nothing

In a manner of speaking
I don't understand
How love in silence becomes reprimand
But the way that I feel about you



Is beyond words

Oh give me the words
Give me the words
That tell me nothing
Oh give me the words
Give me the words
That tell me everything

In a manner of speaking
Semantics won't do
In this life that we live
We only make do
And the way that we feel
Might have to be sacrificed

So in a manner of speaking
I just want to say
That like you I should find a way
To tell you everything
By saying nothing

Oh give me the words
Give me the words
That tell me nothing
Oh give me the words
Give me the words
That tell me everything

Oh give me the words
Give me the words
That tell me nothing
Oh give me the words
Give me the words
That tell me everything

Overall Meaning

The song "In a Manner of Speaking" by Nouvelle Vague is a beautiful and haunting ballad that explores the complexities of communication in relationships. The song opens with the singer saying that they could never forget the way their partner told them everything by saying nothing. This clever wordplay highlights the idea that sometimes silence can speak volumes, and sometimes the things left unsaid can be just as important as the things that are said.


Throughout the song, Nouvelle Vague explores the idea that love and communication are not always straightforward or easy. The singer notes that "semantics won't do" - in other words, sometimes the words we use to express ourselves are inadequate or insufficient. This is particularly true in the context of relationships, which often require a delicate balance of communication and emotion.


One of the most powerful lines in the song comes towards the end, where the singer says that "the way that we feel/ Might have to be sacrificed." This line is a poignant reminder that sometimes, even when we want to express ourselves fully, circumstances or societal expectations make it difficult or impossible to do so. Ultimately, "In a Manner of Speaking" is a song about the complexities of love, communication, and the human experience.


Line by Line Meaning

In a manner of speaking
To put it in a certain way


I just want to say
I want to express


That I could never forget the way
The memory is vivid in my mind


You told me everything
You expressed everything without uttering a word


By saying nothing
Through silence


I don't understand
I'm unable to comprehend


How love in silence becomes reprimand
When there's no words, love can be taken the wrong way


But the way that I feel about you
My feelings towards you


Is beyond words
Cannot be described


Oh give me the words
I'm searching for the words


That tell me nothing
That don't reveal anything


That tell me everything
That express everything


Semantics won't do
The meaning of words can't fully convey what I want to express


In this life that we live
As we go through our existence


We only make do
We simply cope with what we have


And the way that we feel
Our emotions


Might have to be sacrificed
May need to be compromised


That like you I should find a way
I need to follow your example and find a way


To tell you everything
To fully express my feelings


By saying nothing
Without uttering a word




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: WINSTON TONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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