Nothing With Nothing
A Day in Black and White Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What was it that you wanted to say
Smeared in pencil, couldn't read it anyway
Got the trash and the bottles in bags
Some old boxes with notebooks in frames

I've got it written down
So I can show you now
I've got it written down
So I can read it now

You may find that you'll never come undone
Like you're supposed to before you start your famous run
Just because there may be flowers in your hair
Doesn't mean you have to pretend that you just don't care
When all the other kids have given up for the night
There's always more out there looking for a light




On the shore where the Margate sands go out
You never never never never ever had a doubt

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to A Day in Black and White's song Nothing With Nothing are complex and open to interpretation. The song begins with the singer questioning someone about a message they had intended to convey but couldn't due to the message being smeared in pencil. The singer seems to be struggling with communication and understanding, and the next lines indicate that they have some physical items such as trash, bottles, and old notebooks. The tone seems to be one of confusion and disillusionment with the world around us as we try to make sense of what is happening.


The second part of the song is more optimistic in tone, urging people not to give up and keep fighting for what they believe in. It suggests that some people may be reluctant to show their vulnerability, but this doesn't mean they are not feeling the same emotions as everyone else. The final lines speak to the idea that there is always hope, even when things seem bleak. The Margate sands are described as a specific place but also represent a more general idea of a beacon of hope and light.


Overall, the lyrics to Nothing With Nothing speak to the challenges of communication, the struggle to find meaning in the world, and the importance of holding onto hope even in difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

What was it that you wanted to say
Asking for clarification on the intended message being conveyed


Smeared in pencil, couldn't read it anyway
The message is illegible due to poor communication or unclear handwriting


Got the trash and the bottles in bags
Collecting garbage and recyclables for disposal


Some old boxes with notebooks in frames
Keeping old written content as remnants of the past


I've got it written down
Having a clear record of the message for reference


So I can show you now
Being able to display the message to the intended recipient for confirmation


I've got it written down
Reinforcing the idea of having a written record


So I can read it now
The message can now be deciphered and understood


You may find that you'll never come undone
Not experiencing a loss of control or unraveling despite difficult circumstances


Like you're supposed to before you start your famous run
The expectation of encountering challenges before achieving great success


Just because there may be flowers in your hair
Appearances and superficial qualities do not necessarily reflect one's true feelings or intentions


Doesn't mean you have to pretend that you just don't care
Not suppressing genuine emotions behind a facade of apathy


When all the other kids have given up for the night
Despite others losing hope, one remains determined to persevere


There's always more out there looking for a light
Endless possibilities for discovering new opportunities and experiences exist


On the shore where the Margate sands go out
At a place where the tide recedes along the beach


You never never never never ever had a doubt
Complete confidence and assurance in oneself and one's abilities




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions