It's in a stony glare
It's up the creaky stairway
We sat in the wicker chair
You know the one we used to share
And it's just the kind of thing that we don't talk about any more

Remember when your sister was young
She wore a ring in her tongue
Got shown the door by your mum
And now she has a 5 year old son
And it's just the kind of thing that she won't talk about any more

I'll bet you wouldn't believe me
If I whispered in your ears and said
I can see a pink elephant
And it's standing on the corner of the bed
You'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head

You were a girl, you weren't sure
You cared for your family any more
Looked for the mother you had before
And it shook them all to the core
And it's just the kind of thing that you don't talk about any more

I recall your friend back home
She brought up a kid on her own
But he died before he had grown
So she gave you all the clothes that she'd sewn
And it's just the kind of thing that she don't talk about anymore

I'll bet you wouldn't believe me
If I whispered in your ear and said
I can see a pink elephant
And it's standing on the corner of the bed
I'll bet you wouldn't believe me
If I whispered in your ear and said
I can see a pink elephant
And it's standing on the corner of the bed
You'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head

You'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head
Yeah, you'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head
Yeah, you'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your

Overall Meaning

head

The lyrics of Mystery Jets' "Veiled in Grey" depict a group of individuals who are burdened by the weight of their past experiences, and have all chosen to suppress memories that are too painful to confront. The imagery of an old, creaky stairway and a wicker chair that the singer once shared with someone they no longer communicate with, sets a melancholic tone. The first verse seems to suggest that the singer and this person shared a history, but are unable to talk about it now. The second verse shifts focus to the sister of this person, who has seemingly hidden away a part of her life when she left their mother's house. The third verse hints at the singer's own struggles with their family and past trauma. The final verse tells the story of a friend who generatively sewed clothes for a child who died young, and how she can no longer bring herself to talk about it.

Line by Line Meaning

It's in a stony glare
We are faced with a difficult and unwavering truth

It's up the creaky stairway
The truth is hidden away and difficult to access

We sat in the wicker chair
We reflect on memories of the past

You know the one we used to share
We share a deep personal connection

And it's just the kind of thing that we don't talk about any more
We have chosen to ignore or suppress the truth

Remember when your sister was young
Recalling a specific moment in the past

She wore a ring in her tongue
Her behavior was unconventional and possibly rebellious

Got shown the door by your mum
Her actions caused conflict or rejection from family

And now she has a 5 year old son
Her life has progressed and changed since then

And it's just the kind of thing that she won't talk about any more
She has chosen to keep this part of her past hidden or avoided

I'll bet you wouldn't believe me
An expression of disbelief or skepticism

If I whispered in your ears and said
An intimate and personal moment

I can see a pink elephant
The singer is expressing something seemingly impossible or inaccurate

And it's standing on the corner of the bed
The impossible thing is happening in a personal and intimate space

You'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head
The listener responds with disbelief or dismissal

You were a girl, you weren't sure
The person being addressed was uncertain or confused in the past

You cared for your family any more
Their priorities and emotions have changed

Looked for the mother you had before
Seeking a sense of familiarity or stability

And it shook them all to the core
The person's search for stability or change caused great disruptions to those around them

And it's just the kind of thing that you don't talk about any more
The events and emotions of the past are still sensitive and avoided

I recall your friend back home
Recalling a specific person from the past

She brought up a kid on her own
The person mentioned was a single parent

But he died before he had grown
Their child passed away early in life

So she gave you all the clothes that she'd sewn
The person shared personal possessions with the artist

And it's just the kind of thing that she don't talk about anymore
The person has chosen not to discuss their past and loss

You'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head
The listener responds with dismissal or skepticism

Yeah, you'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head
Repeating the previous line to emphasize the pattern of disbelief or avoidance

Yeah, you'll just smile and roll your eyes to the back of your head
Continuing the repetition to emphasize the theme of suppressed emotions and experiences

Contributed by Andrew B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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