Enjoy the Silence
Amos (Tori) Lyrics
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Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand?
Oh my little girl
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
Vows are spoken
To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm
Enjoy the silence
The lyrics to "Enjoy the Silence" by Tori Amos, are a reflection on the power and futility of words. The first verse speaks to the pain that words can cause, likening them to violence that can shatter the silence of one's inner world. The lines "pierce right through me, can't you understand? Oh my little girl" suggest that this pain may be particularly acute for women, for whom words can often be used as a tool of emotional manipulation or abuse.
The chorus, with its repetition of the phrase "all I ever wanted, all I ever needed, is here in my arms," serves as a contrast to the earlier verses. Here, words are deemed "unnecessary" and even harmful, in comparison to the simple pleasure of physical touch and connection. The repeated phrase also carries a sense of yearning and desire, as if the singer is trying to convince themselves that they don't need words, even as they sing them.
The second verse shifts the focus to the idea of vows and commitments, which are again portrayed as potentially meaningless and forgettable. The lines "feelings are intense, words are trivial" suggest that even the most heartfelt promises or declarations may pale in comparison to raw, unmediated emotion. The repeated refrain of "enjoy the silence" seems to suggest that sometimes it's better to just be in the present moment, without the need for words or explanations.
Line by Line Meaning
Words like violence
The power of words can be as strong and destructive as physical violence.
Break the silence
The silence represents a barrier that people put between themselves, and the words can ultimately act as a catalyst to tear this barrier down.
Come crashing in
The words can be overwhelming and hit with an unexpected force.
Into my little world
The words can disturb the peace and comfort of one's inner world.
Painful to me
The words can cause emotional pain, hurting the artist deeply.
Pierce right through me
The words can cut like a knife and leave a lasting impact on the singer.
Can't you understand?
The singer is pleading with the listener to comprehend the pain caused by words.
Oh my little girl
The artist is addressing their inner child, possibly showing a vulnerable side.
All I ever wanted
The artist is stating their desire for something pure and uncomplicated.
All I ever needed
The artist is emphasizing the importance of something simple for their happiness.
Is here in my arms
The singer has found what they were looking for, and they cherish it deeply.
Words are very unnecessary
The artist believes that words do more harm than good and are not necessary to express certain emotions.
They can only do harm
The singer is warning of the negative impact that words can have on oneself and others.
Vows are spoken
The singer is highlighting that commitments and promises are often made with words.
To be broken
The singer recognizes that words can be empty and that promises are often broken.
Feelings are intense
The artist acknowledges that emotions can be overwhelming and powerful.
Words are trivial
The artist believes that words cannot fully capture the intensity of emotions and are often trivial in comparison.
Pleasures remain
Despite the pain that words can cause, there are still moments of happiness and joy that remain.
So does the pain
The singer is recognizing that pain and negative emotions can also linger, just as pleasure does.
Words are meaningless
The artist believes that words can be shallow and void of true meaning and emotion.
And forgettable
The artist believes that words can be easily forgotten and do not have a lasting impact.
Enjoy the silence
The artist is urging the listener to appreciate the simple, wordless moments and not take them for granted.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind