So quiet
It's neither heaven nor space, it's just high
And the ring around the moon
Looks like light and love
Neither of which I get enough of
Down there
Where a lot of people lie, In a deep sleep
And months on end go by, in a single week
Down there

But much too slow
Can't you see I'm trying so hard to plug up this hole
The air is running out we're sinking much too low
And if you sit long enough
You can hear ghost trains
As if the city speed
Is just in our brains
And coaxes close as we, get to sugar cane
Down there

But much too slow
Can't you see I'm trying so hard to plug up this hole,
The air is running out we're sinking much too low
So quiet, so quiet
It's neither heaven nor space, It's just high
And the ring around the moon
Looks like light and love
Neither of which I get enough of
Neither of which I get enough of

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nada Surf's "Neither Heaven Nor Space" is a contemplative reflection on life and existence. The opening lines, "So quiet, it's neither heaven nor space, it's just high," sets the tone for the song, conveying a sense of detachment from reality. The singer seems to be in a state of limbo, caught between the extremes of heaven and space, neither of which he can fully attain.

The second stanza reflects on the mundanity of everyday life. The metaphor of people lying in a deep sleep for months on end highlights the monotony of life and how quickly time passes by. The singer seems to be yearning for something more, something that he can't quite name. This sense of longing is reflected in the repetition of the phrase "Neither of which I get enough of" throughout the song.

The third and final stanza hints at the desperation and urgency of the singer's situation. The hole he's trying to "plug up" is a metaphor for the emptiness he's feeling. The air running out and the sinking feeling suggest that time is running out, forcing him to confront his own mortality. The ghost trains and the illusion of the city speeding up are reflections of his mental state, suggesting that he's struggling to keep up with the world around him.

In conclusion, "Neither Heaven Nor Space" is a song that explores themes of existential angst and the struggle to find meaning in life. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and evoke a sense of longing and melancholy, making it a memorable and insightful track.

Line by Line Meaning

So quiet
The atmosphere is calm and serene.

It's neither heaven nor space, it's just high
The place is at a high altitude, but it is not a heavenly or a space-like environment.

And the ring around the moon
Refers to a halo seen around the moon which is an atmospheric phenomenon.

Looks like light and love
The halo appears to be a symbol of light and love.

Neither of which I get enough of
The artist yearns for more light and love in their life.

Down there
Refers to a lower altitude, possibly a bustling city.

Where a lot of people lie, In a deep sleep
People in the city are asleep but also unaware of their surroundings and the passage of time.

And months on end go by, in a single week
Time appears to move much faster in the city compared to other places.

But much too slow
The pace of the city is too slow for the artist's liking.

Can't you see I'm trying so hard to plug up this hole
The artist is attempting to fill an emotional void or fix a personal issue.

The air is running out we're sinking much too low
The singer feels they are suffocating in the city's environment.

And if you sit long enough
If one is patient enough.

You can hear ghost trains
The sounds of trains can be heard even when there are no trains nearby, possibly due to mental influences.

As if the city speed
The city's frenzied activities and noise levels.

Is just in our brains
They are a result of one's perception and mindset.

And coaxes close as we, get to sugar cane
The fast-paced city draws people in, akin to the allure of sweet sugar cane.

So quiet, so quiet
The calmness of the higher altitude persists.

It's neither heaven nor space, It's just high
Returning to the earlier statement that the place is not heaven nor space, but simply at a high altitude.

And the ring around the moon
The atmospheric phenomenon remains visible from this vantage point.

Looks like light and love
The halo's appearance still symbolizes light and love.

Neither of which I get enough of
The idea of lacking light and love repeats, suggesting a desire for more emotional fulfillment.

Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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Lyrics

So quiet
It's neither heaven nor space, it's just high
And the ring around the moon
looks like light and love
Neither of which I get enough of
Down there
Where alot of people lie, In a deep sleep
And months on end go by, in a single week
Down there
But much too slow
Can't you see I'm trying so hard to plug up this hole
The air is running out we're sinking much too low
And if you sit long enough
you can hear ghost trains
As if the city speed
is just in our brains
And coke's close as we get to sugar cane
Down there
But much too slow
Can't you see I'm trying so hard to plug up this hole,
The air is running out we're sinking much too low
So quiet, So quiet
It's neither heaven nor space, It's just high
And the ring around the moon
Looks like light and love
Neither of which I get enough of
Neither of which I get enough of