Michigan
Amy Helm Lyrics
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Their silent thunder matches mine
I know this feeling from long ago
I wondered was it gone, but now I know
So when she calls don't send her my way
When it hurts you'll know it's the right thing
Keep your hands where I can see 'em
You took the words right out my mouth
When you knew that I would need 'em
What am I supposed to do now, without you
Without you
It's unannounced just like you'd expect it
Among brokedown breaklines
And Motown records
And all that's left is a blind reflection
But you know what's coming and you regret it
So when she calls don't send her my way
When it hurts, most, it's the right thing
Michigan's in the rear view now
Keep your hands where I can see 'em
You took the words right out my mouth
When you knew that I would need 'em
What am I supposed to do now, without you
Without you
Michigan's in the rear view now
Keep your hands where I can see 'em
You took the words right out my mouth
When you knew that I would need 'em
What am I supposed to do now, without you
Without you
In Amy Helm's song Michigan, the singer describes the pain of leaving behind a former love in the state of Michigan. The clouds moving across the Pontiac skies are a metaphor for the singer's emotions, which match the silent thunder. The singer feels as though they have experienced this pain before, which makes them wonder if it ever truly went away. However, they now realize that the pain is still there as they leave Michigan behind. The singer acknowledges that it's the right thing to do when they say that they won't send their new lover back to Michigan when they call.
The imagery in the song Michigan is both vivid and descriptive. The singer creates a scene of broken-down breaklines and Motown records, which perfectly illustrates their emotional state. They reflect on their former lover and the painful memories they have left behind, but they also know that they are moving on. The metaphor of "blind reflection" speaks to the uncertainty of the future, the pain of the past, and the emptiness that remains in the present. The repetition of the chorus underscores the sense of loss that the singer feels, while also highlighting the need to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
The clouds move over Pontiac skies
The clouds overhead are drifting over the skies of Pontiac.
Their silent thunder matches mine
The quiet rumble of the clouds matches the sound of the singer's emotional pain.
I know this feeling from long ago
The singer is familiar with the feeling of heartache and has experienced it in the past.
I wondered was it gone, but now I know
The singer thought this heartache was gone, but now knows it was only dormant and has returned.
So when she calls don't send her my way
If someone the singer is trying to move on from tries to contact them, they don't want to be involved.
When it hurts you'll know it's the right thing
Letting go of the person that hurt you can be painful, but it is the right decision in the long run.
Michigan's in the rear view now
The singer has left behind the state of Michigan and moved on from what happened there.
Keep your hands where I can see 'em
The singer doesn't want any funny business or deception on the part of their ex-lover.
You took the words right out my mouth
The person the singer is addressing knows exactly what they did wrong in the relationship.
When you knew that I would need 'em
The person was aware that the singer needed those specific words and chose to withhold them.
What am I supposed to do now, without you
The singer is having a difficult time moving on from the person and is unsure how to do it on their own.
It's unannounced just like you'd expect it
The singer didn't expect the heartache to return, but it did unannounced.
Among brokedown breaklines
The singer is among the ruins of their old life and relationship.
And Motown records
The singer is in the city of Motown, which holds personal significance for them.
And all that's left is a blind reflection
The singer is left with only memories and regrets, with no clear path forward.
But you know what's coming and you regret it
Despite knowing that the end of the relationship was coming, the person is filled with regret for what they did wrong.
Michigan's in the rear view now
The singer has left behind the state of Michigan and moved on from what happened there.
Keep your hands where I can see 'em
The singer doesn't want any funny business or deception on the part of their ex-lover.
You took the words right out my mouth
The person the singer is addressing knows exactly what they did wrong in the relationship.
When you knew that I would need 'em
The person was aware that the singer needed those specific words and chose to withhold them.
What am I supposed to do now, without you
The singer is having a difficult time moving on from the person and is unsure how to do it on their own.
Michigan's in the rear view now
The singer has left behind the state of Michigan and moved on from what happened there.
Keep your hands where I can see 'em
The singer doesn't want any funny business or deception on the part of their ex-lover.
You took the words right out my mouth
The person the singer is addressing knows exactly what they did wrong in the relationship.
When you knew that I would need 'em
The person was aware that the singer needed those specific words and chose to withhold them.
What am I supposed to do now, without you
The singer is having a difficult time moving on from the person and is unsure how to do it on their own.
Writer(s): Kenneth A Pattengale, Joseph Edward Ryan
Contributed by Grace A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Elliana and DD my cat
I love this version better than the original! Beautiful
Tommy Adair
Great song!
melissa leblanc
Love Amy Helm!!!!
Spoogelicker
Gawd, Amy Helm OWNS this song!!!!
r2
Beautiful
Fabian Jolivet
S U B L I M E