Heaven Can Wait
Charlotte Gainsbourg Lyrics
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She's fighting, she's fighting the urge to make sand out of pearls
Heaven can wait and hell's too far ago
Somewhere between what you need and what you know
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
She's hiding, she's hiding on a battleship of baggage and bones
There's thunder, there's lightening in an avalanche of faces you know
Heaven can wait and hell's too far ago
Somewhere between what you need and what you know
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
You left your credentials in a greyhound station
with a first aid kit and a flashlight
Going to a desert unknown
Heaven can wait and hell's too far ago
Somewhere between what you need and what you know
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
In Charlotte Gainsbourg's song Heaven Can Wait, the lyrics portray a sense of struggle and resistance against outside forces that aim to control and manipulate one's thoughts and actions. The opening line, "She's sliding, she's sliding down to the depth of the world", suggests the singer is losing all sense of self as she tumbles down to an abyss. But, she's not giving up just yet- "She's fighting, she's fighting the urge to make sand out of pearls." The imagery of sand and pearls indicate valuable qualities being thrown away or replaced by something less precious. It can be inferred that she's holding onto her true identity amidst a looming threat of losing it all.
The chorus, "Heaven can wait and hell's too far ago / Somewhere between what you need and what you know / And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground", talks about the ambiguity and confusion between what is necessary and what is known. The escalator symbolizes a mode of transportation (possibly a metaphor for life), but it's being driven into the ground, which could mean that it's out of control or leading nowhere. The line "Heaven can wait and hell's too far ago" could be interpreted as the singer's struggle with finding purpose in life - she's not ready to give up and wait for an afterlife, but the memory of trauma and pain from the past is too far to reach for comfort.
The second verse deals with the sense of isolation and feeling trapped- "She's hiding, she's hiding on a battleship of baggage and bones / There's thunder, there's lightening in an avalanche of faces you know". The battleship is possibly a metaphor for protection, but it's also a symbol of violence and war. The avalanche of faces could represent an overwhelming feeling of constant judgement and scrutiny from people close to her.
Line by Line Meaning
She's sliding, she's sliding down to the depth of the world
She is sinking down into the lowest point of the world, slowly losing herself
She's fighting, she's fighting the urge to make sand out of pearls
She is resisting the temptation to ruin something beautiful and precious for no reason
Heaven can wait and hell's too far ago
There is no need to rush towards happiness or run away from suffering because both are not close enough to have an immediate effect
Somewhere between what you need and what you know
The truth lies in between what you desire and what you understand
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
Some people are stubbornly pushing towards a goal that is impossible or unsustainable
She's hiding, she's hiding on a battleship of baggage and bones
She is trying to cover up her emotional baggage and physical limitations, but they are still there and weighing her down
There's thunder, there's lightening in an avalanche of faces you know
The faces around her are overwhelming and intimidating, causing her anxiety and fear
You left your credentials in a greyhound station with a first aid kit and a flashlight
You abandoned your qualifications and identity in a place of transit, prepared to face the unknown with only basic supplies for survival
Going to a desert unknown
Venturing into an uncertain future, leaving behind familiarity and safety
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: KAI HANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-zs7bo9zs5x
She's sliding, she's sliding
Down to the dregs of the world
She's fighting, she's fighting
The urge to make sand out of pearls
Heaven can wait
And hell's too far to go
Somewhere between
What you need and what you know
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
She's hiding, she's hiding
On a battleship of baggage and bones
There's thunder, there's lightning
And an avalanche of faces you know
Heaven can wait
And hell's too far to go
Somewhere between
What you need and what you know
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
You left your credentials in a greyhound station
With a first aid kit and a flashlight
Going to a desert unknown
Heaven can wait
And hell's too far to go
Somewhere between
What you need and what you know
And they're trying to drive that escalator into the ground
@korhaneser3356
10 years later, still sounds great. Also never noticed that Beck looks like Jack McBrayer.
@siobhanmcgregor2557
This song has been my mood for the last 2 years and I've just realised I have purchased 3 items of clothing based on this video.
@popmonkey
let me guess, you bought a spongebob suit?
@frohike2370
@Jules C I bet for mad horse mask
@root7.3
everything she does moves me ❤️
@perlaintveen
I just love this song and album!
@joseluisfrias7916
¡ Sublime !
@denisefreitas6727
Amazing song!
@rolandtom
Disturbingly fitting directing and I just can't purge the tune from my mind. Wow.
@hattory
That video is really great, genial! I can't stop to see the video again and again!! Thanks a loT!