Barry was listed on the credits as co-writer and producer, and the initial release of the song was his version. A second version of the song, re-worked by a-ha in 1988, later appeared on their third album, Stay on These Roads.
The Living Daylights
A Ha Lyrics
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I swear my nerves are showing
Set your hopes up way too high
The living's in the way we die
Comes the morning and the headlights fade away
Hundred thousand people, I'm the one they blame
I've been waiting long for one of us to say
Save the darkness, let it never fade away
All right, hold on tighter now
It's down, down to the wire
Set your hopes way too high
The living's in the way we die
Comes the morning and the headlights fade in rain
Hundred thousand changes, everything's the same
I've been waiting long for one of us to say
Save the darkness, let it never fade away
In the living daylights.
Comes the morning and the headlights fade away
Hundred thousand people, I'm the one they frame
In the living daylights.
The lyrics of the song "The Living Daylights" by A-ha is a poignant anthem that explores the essence of life through an introspective lens. In the opening lines, the singer is revealing his anxieties as a passenger in a vehicle, admitting he is nervous about where they are heading, a metaphor for the uncertainty and risks of life. He confesses that he has set his hopes high, which makes him vulnerable to disappointment and failure. The line, "the living's in the way we die" articulates that life is not always about living for the day, but rather making the right choices that define our existence.
In the second verse, the singer continues to reflect on the harsh reality of life, emphasizing the fragility of human existence to the point where everything seems the same despite hundreds of thousands of changes taking place around us. He pleads for someone to speak up and "save the darkness, let it never fade away," suggesting that hopelessness and despair can have a purpose if we learn to embrace them.
Overall, "The Living Daylights" is a song about the human condition, urging us to acknowledge our fears and hope for the best, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey driver, where we're going
Expressing anxiety about where the journey is leading and lack of control over it.
I swear my nerves are showing
Feeling nerve-wracked and anxious about the destination.
Set your hopes up way too high
Expectations set unrealistically high lead to disappointment.
The living's in the way we die
The way we live our lives is crucial and determines how we will die.
Comes the morning and the headlights fade away
After a long night or journey, the hope dwindles away, and reality sets in.
Hundred thousand people, I'm the one they blame
It is easier to blame someone who stands out in a crowd than the rest.
I've been waiting long for one of us to say
Eagerly waiting for someone else to point out the truth.
Save the darkness, let it never fade away
Preserve the truth which brings light, don't let it disappear into oblivion.
In the living daylights.
In the full light of day; in a stark and cold reality.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Barry, Pal Waaktaar
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind