Shelter
♥The XX Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I find shelter, in this way
Under cover, hide away
Can you hear, when I say?
I have never felt this way

Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Can I make it better, with the lights turned on
Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Can I make it better, with the lights turned on

Could I be, was I there?
It felt so crystal in the air
I still want to drown, whenever you leave
Please teach me gently, how to breathe

And I'll cross oceans, like never before
So you can feel the way I feel it too
And I'll mirror images back at you
So you can see the way I feel it too

Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Can I make it better, with the lights turned on
Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Can I make it better, with the lights turned on





Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Can I make it better, with the lights turned on

Overall Meaning

The XX's song "Shelter" can be seen as a representation of seeking comfort in a relationship. In the first verse, the singer expresses that they find "shelter" and a hiding place "under cover." They then ask if their partner can hear them when they say that they've never felt this way before. It can be inferred that the singer is overwhelmed by this newfound feeling and seeking refuge in their partner.


In the second verse, the singer questions if they were really present in the moment, almost as though they are questioning the legitimacy of the feeling. They then express that they still have a desire to "drown" when their partner leaves and ask to be taught gently how to breathe, further emphasizing their reliance on their partner for comfort.


The chorus repeats the sentiment that if the singer made a mistake or said something wrong, they hope to make it better with the "lights turned on," perhaps indicating a desire for clarity and honesty in the relationship. The song ends with a repetition of this line.


Overall, "Shelter" can be interpreted as a plea for emotional support and seeking refuge in a relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

I find shelter, in this way
I seek solace and safety by hiding from the world and its harshness.


Under cover, hide away
I need to protect myself from the agony and terror that life often brings.


Can you hear, when I say?
Are you listening to my cry for help?


I have never felt this way
I have never been so vulnerable and in need of comfort.


Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Perhaps I made a mistake, said something hurtful or incorrect.


Can I make it better, with the lights turned on
Can I fix the damage I might have caused if I take a closer look?


Could I be, was I there?
Am I mistaken or is there something significant that happened between us?


It felt so crystal in the air
It was palpable and obvious that something important occurred.


I still want to drown, whenever you leave
I feel overwhelmed and desperate whenever you're not around.


Please teach me gently, how to breathe
Please help me learn how to cope with my emotions without suffocating.


And I'll cross oceans, like never before
I'll do whatever it takes to reach you and communicate my feelings.


So you can feel the way I feel it too
So you can understand my perspective and share in my emotions.


And I'll mirror images back at you
I'll reflect your own emotions and experiences back to you, so you can see what it's like for me.


Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Perhaps I made a mistake, said something hurtful or incorrect.


Can I make it better, with the lights turned on
Can I fix the damage I might have caused if I take a closer look?


Maybe I had said, something that was wrong
Perhaps I made a mistake, said something hurtful or incorrect.


Can I make it better, with the lights turned on
Can I fix the damage I might have caused if I take a closer look?




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROMY ANNA MADLEY CROFT, OLIVER DAVID SIM, JAMES THOMAS SMITH, BARIA QURESHI

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

@elhamshams8540

You've applied the pressure
To have me crystallized
And you've got the faith
That I could bring paradise
I'll forgive and forget
Before I'm paralyzed
Do I have to keep up the pace
To keep you satisfied
Things have gotten closer to the sun
And I've done things in small doses
So don't think that I'm pushing you away
When you're the one that I've kept closest
You don't move slow
Taking steps in my direction
The sound resounds, echo
Does it lesson your affection
You say I'm foolish
For pushing this aside
But burn down our home
I won't leave alive
Glaciers have melted to the sea
I wish the tide would take me over
I've been down on my knees
And you just keep on getting closer
Glaciers have melted to the sea
(Things have gotten closer to the sun)
I wish the tide would take me over
(And I've done things in small doses)
I've been down onto my knees
(So don't think that I'm pushing you away)
And you just keep on getting closer
(When you're the one that I've kept closest)
Go slow



@vanilsonfelix4543

LETRA:

You've applied the pressure
To have me crystalised
And you've got the faith
That I could bring paradise

I'll forgive and forget
Before I'm paralysed
Do I have to keep up the pace
To keep you satisfied

Things have gotten closer to the sun
And I've done things in small doses
So don't think that I'm pushing you away
When you're the one that I've kept closest

[ahh ahh ahh] (x4)

You don't move slow
Taking steps in my direction
The sound resounds, echo
Does it lessen your affection
No

You say I'm foolish
For pushing this aside
But burn down our home
I won't leave alive

Glaciers have melted to the sea
I wish the tide would take me over
I've been down on my knees
And you just keep on getting closer

[ahh ahh ahh] (x4)

Glaciers have melted to the sea
(Things have gotten closer to the sun)
I wish the tide would take me over
(And I've done things in small doses)
I've been down onto my knees
(So don't think that I'm pushing you away)
And you just keep on getting closer
(When you're the one that I've kept closest)



All comments from YouTube:

@TOTALAIRPLANEFREAK96

Sat on a rooftop in London at 6am, sky's still dark, watching this city wake up and having a smoke, listening to these guys.Everything kinda worked out for me here.

@TheLollipop222

+YTJM96 man this sounds like a perfect morning!

@quinnton432

+YTJM96 Take comfort in those little escapes, they're all we have my friend.

@thatssogoals8403

+quinnton432 music is the only escape

@numersi13

+YTJM96 That's my kind of morning..

@Jessenuej

+YTJM96 Better without a cigarette

95 More Replies...

@Hugo_Tate

“So don’t think that I’m pushing you away.
When you’re the one that I’ve kept closest”
I can’t get enough of that part

@sundeytanay5219

U ii kuya Zzii

@toukasuzuya7068

Sameeee

@elhamshams8540

You've applied the pressure
To have me crystallized
And you've got the faith
That I could bring paradise
I'll forgive and forget
Before I'm paralyzed
Do I have to keep up the pace
To keep you satisfied
Things have gotten closer to the sun
And I've done things in small doses
So don't think that I'm pushing you away
When you're the one that I've kept closest
You don't move slow
Taking steps in my direction
The sound resounds, echo
Does it lesson your affection
You say I'm foolish
For pushing this aside
But burn down our home
I won't leave alive
Glaciers have melted to the sea
I wish the tide would take me over
I've been down on my knees
And you just keep on getting closer
Glaciers have melted to the sea
(Things have gotten closer to the sun)
I wish the tide would take me over
(And I've done things in small doses)
I've been down onto my knees
(So don't think that I'm pushing you away)
And you just keep on getting closer
(When you're the one that I've kept closest)
Go slow

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