October
A〜Ha Lyrics
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Of colored gray
Here I roam the streets without you
As summer fades away
Down in the city at nights
The cold wind blows
Wherever you may be right now
You're probably asleep already
I am wide awake
Down in the city at nights
"Don't be lonely"
So you've told me
But don't you worry now
Loneliness can be ignored
And time has shown me how
Down in the city at nights
I'm missing you so much
Down in the city
Down in the city
The song October by A-ha tells the heartbreaking story of a man wandering the lonely streets of an English town in the early hours of the morning. As the last vestiges of summer fade away and the cold wind begins to bite, he finds himself alone, missing the person he loves. The lyrics are infused with a sense of melancholy and a longing for connection that is powerfully poignant.
As the man walks through the streets, he imagines where his loved one might be and what they might be doing at that very moment. He longs to feel their presence and wishes that they were by his side, sharing the beauty of the autumn night. Despite the loneliness he feels, he tells himself that it can be ignored, and that time will help him move on. However, his deep yearning for connection and the loneliness he experiences are palpable throughout the song.
The lyrics are beautifully written and manage to capture the essence of the human condition, the strong desire and longing for connection and the pain of loneliness. The music is equally impressive, with a haunting melody that reinforces the sense of isolation and the fragile beauty of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Dawn awaits a sleepless, English town
The town is quiet and still as the sun rises, yet no one can sleep due to sadness.
Of colored gray
The town lacks vibrancy or life, as everything seems to be dull and depressing.
Here I roam the streets without you
The singer wanders aimlessly and alone, without the companionship of someone they deeply miss.
As summer fades away
The season is changing to fall, and the warmth and joy of summer is disappearing, possibly as a metaphor for the artist's happiness fading away.
Down in the city at nights
The dark and lonely city nights mirror the artist's own sense of loneliness and despair.
Wherever you may be right now
The singer is thinking of someone specific, possibly a lover, and wonders where they might be at that moment.
It must be getting late
The singer imagines what the time might be where this person is, and assumes it is late in the night.
You're probably asleep already
The artist assumes that the person they are thinking of is already sleeping, and not experiencing the same sense of loneliness as they are.
I am wide awake
The artist is unable to sleep, which might be due to the strong emotions they feel about this person.
"Don't be lonely"
The person the artist is thinking of possibly said this to them before, as a way to comfort them and express concern for their emotional wellbeing.
So you've told me
The singer recalls this person advising them against being lonely, which shows the level of trust and intimacy between them.
But don't you worry now
The artist responds to the advice given with a sense of reassurance to the person, perhaps indicating that they won't worry them with their feelings.
Loneliness can be ignored
The singer suggests that ignoring one's loneliness is an option, although it is not a solution to the problem itself.
And time has shown me how
The singer has experienced loneliness before, and has come to learn how to cope with it over time.
Down in the city at nights
The city streets, which were previously a source of comfort and familiarity to the singer, now serve as a reminder of their isolation and heartache.
I'm missing you so much
The artist expresses their feelings of longing and sadness for this person, which might be the reason for their current sleepless state.
Down in the city
This repeated line serves as a motif throughout the song, highlighting the overall thematic elements of loneliness and heartbreak that are present in the narrative.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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