Like the Weather
10000 Maniacs Lyrics


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The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my lips as if I might cry.

Well by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe.
Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave.
Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
Quiver in my voice as I cry,

"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away."

I hear the sound of a noon bell chime.
Now I'm far behind.
You've put in 'bout half a day
while here I lie
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my lip as if I might cry,

"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?"

Do I need someone here to scold me
or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward.
For it is such a long time since my better days.
I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.

The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as I cry,





"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?"
I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.

Overall Meaning

The song "Like the Weather" by 10,000 Maniacs uses the weather as a metaphor for the singer's emotional state. The opening line "The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey" sets the tone for the song, with the dreary weather representing the singer's sadness and turmoil. The line "With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather" suggests that the singer is overwhelmed by their emotions and that even the thought of the weather adds to their distress. The line "By the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe" indicates that the singer is working hard to push through their emotions and continue on with their day.


The chorus repeats the line "What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?" which expresses the singer's desire for things to improve and for happiness to return. The verse "Do I need someone here to scold me or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four-poster dull torpor pulling downward" suggests that the singer is struggling to find a way out of their sadness and is searching for help or guidance. They acknowledge that it has been a long time since they have felt truly ok, and end the song with the repeated lines "I shiver, quiver, and try to wake."


Line by Line Meaning

The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey.
The sky is completely grey and dull.


Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
I am exhausted and unable to get out of bed.


With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
The thought of the weather makes me feel chilly and uncomfortable.


A quiver in my lips as if I might cry.
I feel emotional and on the verge of tears.


Well by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe.
I have to put in effort to breathe because of my tiredness and emotional state.


Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave.
I am constantly in bed and lack motivation to do anything else.


What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away.
I am frustrated with the weather and the absence of sunshine.


I hear the sound of a noon bell chime.
I am aware of the passing of time and my own lack of productivity.


Now I'm far behind.
I feel like I am falling behind in my responsibilities and goals.


You've put in 'bout half a day while here I lie with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
Others are productive while I am stuck in bed, unable to do anything.


Do I need someone here to scold me or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward.
I am questioning whether I need discipline or motivation to get me out of my current state of depression.


For it is such a long time since my better days.
I have been struggling for a long time and miss my happier times.


I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.
I hope that my depression and negative feelings will eventually go away.


The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds.
The sky remains grey and depressing even when viewed through the window shades.


I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.
I feel cold, emotional, and attempt to snap out of my depressive state.




Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: NATALIE MERCHANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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