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I Didn't See It Coming
Belle and Sebastian Lyrics


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Make me dance, I want to surrender
Your familiar arms, I remember
We've been going transcontinental
Got no car, we just take a rental

But we don't have the money
(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey

Make me dance, I want to surrender
Your familiar arms, I remember
Everybody's talking about you
Every word's a whisper without you

But we don't have the money
(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey
Trouble's never far away when you're around

'Cause we don't have the money
(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey

I didn't see it coming
I'm just not in the running

Take me on a train 'cos I'm not flying
I can see the world from a different side
Read about us in the morning papers
When we make it
When we make it alive

I didn't see it coming (Make me dance I want to surrender)
I'm just not in the running (Make me dance I want to surrender)

And we don't need a lifetime (Make me dance I want to surrender)
We're following the right line (Make me dance I want to surrender)

And we don't need a lifetime (Make me dance I want to surrender)
We're following the right line (Make me dance I want to surrender)

I didn't see it coming (Make me dance I want to surrender)
I'm just not in the running (Make me dance I want to surrender)

And we don't need a lifetime (Make me dance I want to surrender)
We're following the right line (Make me dance I want to surrender)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Belle and Sebastian's "I Didn't See It Coming" tell the story of a couple who are on a journey together, with the singer asking to be made to dance and surrendering to their partner's familiar arms. They are traveling transcontinental without a car, only taking rentals. Despite not having much money, they forget about it and continue on their journey. However, trouble is never far away when the partner is around, and the couple is living day by day.


The song's chorus repeats the line "I didn't see it coming, I'm just not in the running," suggesting that the singer may not have anticipated the relationship developing to this point. The couple does not need a lifetime, only following the right line, and they hope to make it alive and be read about in the papers in the morning.


The lyrics in "I Didn't See It Coming" can be interpreted in several ways. The couple could be on a physical journey, but the repetitive lyrics suggest that this journey could be a metaphor for their relationship. They are living day to day, enjoying each other's company, and not worrying too much about the future. They may not have a lot of money or possessions, but they have each other and are content with that.


Line by Line Meaning

Make me dance, I want to surrender
I want to let go of control and enjoy the moment with you. Let's dance and have fun.


Your familiar arms, I remember
I feel safe and comfortable with you. Being in your arms is a familiar feeling I enjoy.


We've been going transcontinental
We've been travelling across different parts of the world.


Got no car, we just take a rental
We don't own a car, but we rent one when we need to travel.


But we don't have the money
Unfortunately, we are financially struggling at the moment.


(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Money is essential for survival and everything in the world revolves around it.


Forget about it, honey
Let's not worry about our financial problems for now. Let's focus on enjoying our time together.


Trouble's never far away when you're around
You bring excitement and adventure into my life, and sometimes that can lead to trouble.


Everybody's talking about you
People are interested in you and talk about you behind your back.


Every word's a whisper without you
When you're not around, people still talk about you, but quietly and secretly.


Take me on a train 'cos I'm not flying
I prefer to travel on a train rather than a plane.


I can see the world from a different side
Travelling allows me to see and experience different cultures and perspectives.


Read about us in the morning papers
We'll be famous one day and people will read about us in the news.


When we make it
When we become successful and famous.


When we make it alive
When we become successful without sacrificing our happiness and morals.


And we don't need a lifetime
We don't need forever to achieve our dreams.


We're following the right line
We're on the right track to success and happiness.


I didn't see it coming
I didn't expect this to happen or I didn't anticipate this turn of events.


I'm just not in the running
I'm not a competitor in this race or I have no chance of winning.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB KILDEA, CHRISTOPHER GEDDES, MICHAEL COOKE, RICHARD COLBURN, SARAH MARTIN, STEPHEN JACKSON, STUART MURDOCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@juliocesarsalvador4998

Porque se que alguien la quiere cantar:

Make me dance, I want to surrender
Your familiar arms, I remember
We've been going transcontinental
Got no car, we just take a rental

But we don't have the money
(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey

Make me dance, I want to surrender
Your familiar arms, I remember
Everybody's talking about you
Every word's a whisper without you

But we don't have the money
(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey
Trouble's never far away when you're around

'Cause we don't have the money
(Money makes the wheels and the world go round)
Forget about it, honey

I didn't see it coming
I'm just not in the running

Take me on a train 'cos I'm not flying
I can see the world from a different side
Read about…



All comments from YouTube:

@tonymunky

Every song Sarah Martin sings is beyond beautiful, every single one ❤

@Astrodan2600

This band puts a bluebird in my heart whenever I hear them. They are a special band.

@littlsuprstr

When Sarah and Stuart harmonize the effect is wonderful.

@worldofchriscraft

I can tell you how much I love this song. It does things to me.

@jim2lane

Sarah Martin - what a lovely voice and such a beauty 😊

@TheExpandonthat

This song usually picks me up a bit when I'm feeling sad.

@muffinman1908

Same

@hopelines1397

I suppose I ought to be listening to it daily!

@iveriver1

Same

@andrewb2931

"Everybody's talking about you/Every word's a whisper without you." There is never a wasted lyric in any B&S song. It's really something special.

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