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# A.T.U. Lyrics
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Has been gone a while
But it's not an illusion
The ache in my heart
Is so much a part of who I am
Something in your eyes
Took a thousand years to get here
Took a thousand years, a thousand years
Hold me close
Hold me close and don't let me go
Hold me close
Like I'm someone that you might know
Hold me close
The darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I've got your life inside of me
Iris, Iris
Once we are born
We begin to forget
The very reason we came
But you I'm sure I've met
Long before the night
The stars went out
We're meeting up again
Hold me close
Hold me close and don't let me go
Hold me close
Like I'm someone that you might know
Hold me close
The darkness just lets us see
Who we are
I've got your life inside of me
Iris, Iris
The stars are bright
But do they know
The universe is beautiful but cold
You took me by the hand
I thought that I was leading you
But it was you made me your man
Machine, I dream where you are
Iris standing in the hall
She tells me I can do it all
Iris wakes to my nightmares
Don't fear the world
It isn't there
Iris playing on the Strand
She buries the boy beneath the sand
Iris says that I will be the death of her
It was not me
Iris, Iris
She said free yourself to be yourself
If only you could see yourself
Free yourself to be yourself
If only you could see
this beautiful song is a beautiful tribute to the power of love and the way it can transcend time, space, and even death. The chorus urges a lover to hold the singer close, suggesting that the world is a difficult place and that being close to someone you love is one of the few sources of comfort and stability available.
The singer seems to be reflecting on a past love who has passed away or is otherwise absent. However, they believe they are still connected to their lover in some way, as they say "I've got your life inside of me" and "something in your eyes/took a thousand years to get here." The singer also suggests that they have known their lover for a long time, long before the stars went out, and may have even met them in a past life.
Throughout the song, there are references to iris, which could suggest the flower or the part of the eye, both of which are associated with vision and seeing clearly. It's possible that the singer is using the iris as a metaphor for the clarity and insight that come with being in love.
Overall, this is a beautiful, haunting song that speaks to the way love can transcend boundaries and bring a sense of peace and comfort to those who are struggling.
Line by Line Meaning
The star that gives us light
The source of guidance that has been with us for a long time is gone
Has been gone a while
It has been gone for some time and we have been without it
But it's not an illusion
It's not a figment of our imagination, it's real
The ache in my heart
The pain and longing that I feel within me
Is so much a part of who I am
It's an integral part of my identity and character
Something in your eyes
There is something special and significant in your gaze
Took a thousand years to get here
It feels like it has taken an immeasurable span of time to reach me
Hold me close and don't let me go
Please embrace me tightly and never let me slip away
Like I'm someone that you might know
Embrace me as if we are intimately familiar with each other
The darkness just lets us see
In the absence of light we can perceive our true essence
Who we are
Our identity and nature as individuals with unique qualities
I've got your life inside of me
Your essence and being is embedded within me
Once we are born
After we come into existence at birth
We begin to forget
We lose sight of important matters as time wears on
The very reason we came
The purpose behind our existence
But you I'm sure I've met
However, I am confident that I have met you before
Long before the night
Well before the time when darkness prevails
The stars went out
When the stars faded away
We're meeting up again
We are encountering each other once more
The universe is beautiful but cold
The world beyond our planet is stunning but unfeeling
You took me by the hand
You guided me towards something better
I thought that I was leading you
Initially, I believed that I was the one showing the way
But it was you made me your man
But in reality, you transformed me and made me a better person
Machine, I dream where you are
I find solace in dreaming of your presence like a machine built to run a program
Iris standing in the hall
I picture you standing in the corridor, perhaps waiting for me or to meet with me
She tells me I can do it all
You give me the confidence and motivation to achieve anything
Iris wakes to my nightmares
You are present in the nighttime visions that scare and haunt me
Don't fear the world
Do not be afraid of the vast and unknown universe
It isn't there
It's not truly present or tangible
She buries the boy beneath the sand
You conceal or obliterate the innocent child that existed previously
She said free yourself to be yourself
You told me to liberate myself and express my true self
If only you could see yourself
If only you could perceive yourself as I see you
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL DAVID HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
357imugl945
Track’s been on repeat for 24 hrs now, insanely good
Vic Ng
I prefer this version compared to the album version. Kudos for having taste!
Denise Gamanga
haven't listened to this in years, still hittin crazyyyyyy
__ BEING.
I can't even describe how this beat makes me feel but I like it. 👌
Don Pope
So much memories 💯 Really nostalgic. Came across this hit 10 yrs ago
Chris Charles
This song will never get old. Bigups to Atu for these dope vocal sample flips.
Phung Dang
This is one of my favourite tracks of all time.
thunderkatz
I wish ATU would make her songs longer :( I always get sad when it finishes. But happy that I can hit replay.
Vic Ng
Atu is male. 🙂
Anna
2023 and this still sounds good. So much nostalgia man damn where did time go