For A While
Andre Papanicolaou Lyrics


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""Maybe if I wasn’t such a dilettante
I’d invite you in for a while
Tell you what it is that I really want
How I need your smile
And I never wanted anyone else but you
But I have to go for a while
No I never wanted anyone else but you
But I have to go for a while
Now the moon is brighter than I’ve ever seen
Gun-metal grey and winter white
But it’s four hundred thousand miles away
And I’m right here, holding tight
And I never wanted anyone else but you
But I have to go for a while
No I never wanted anyone else but you
But I have to go for a while
Can you see the fear in my eyes
I don’t mind, I don’t mind
Can you see the fear in my eyes
I don’t mind, I don’t mind
I’d like to see you waiting by the shore
Just like a hundred times before
And I hope the seas will be kind to me
Will they call me back for more
And I never wanted anyone else but you
But I have to go for a while
No I never wanted anyone else but you
But I have to go for a while
Can you see the fear in my eyes
I don’t mind, I don’t mind




Can you see the fear in my eyes
I don’t mind, I don’t mind""

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Andre Papanicolaou's song "For a While" convey a sense of longing, desire, and the pain of separation. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings, referring to themselves as a "dilettante," someone who dabbles in various interests without fully committing. Despite this, they express a strong desire to invite the person they are addressing into their life, to share their true desires and to bask in their smile. However, circumstances prevent them from doing so, forcing them to go away for a while.


The song then transitions to the imagery of the moon, describing it as brighter than ever, with colors reminiscent of gun-metal grey and winter white. This juxtaposition of brightness and distance symbolizes the emotional distance between the singer and their desired companion. The moon being "four hundred thousand miles away" indicates that even though they are physically close to the person, there is a substantial emotional and psychological gap between them.


The repeated assertion that the singer never wanted anyone else but this person reinforces the depth of their feelings. However, they feel compelled to leave for a while due to undisclosed reasons. They express a willingness to endure fear and uncertainty, suggesting that their departure might be driven by circumstances beyond their control. The song ends with a plea for understanding, as the singer hopes for the other person to wait for them by the shore, indicating a longing for their return.


Overall, the lyrics of "For a While" delve into the complexities of relationships, yearning, and the pain of temporary separation. It portrays the internal struggle of wanting to be close to someone while also being pulled away by external forces, leaving both vulnerability and hope in its wake.


Line by Line Meaning

Maybe if I wasn’t such a dilettante
Perhaps if I wasn't so inclined to dabble in various pursuits


I’d invite you in for a while
I would welcome you into my life temporarily


Tell you what it is that I really want
Reveal my true desires to you


How I need your smile
Express my longing for your comforting smile


And I never wanted anyone else but you
You are the only one I desire


But I have to go for a while
However, I must depart for some time


Now the moon is brighter than I’ve ever seen
Currently, the moon shines more radiantly than ever before


Gun-metal grey and winter white
Taking on a color reminiscent of metal and winter


But it’s four hundred thousand miles away
Yet it remains a vast distance of four hundred thousand miles from me


And I’m right here, holding tight
While I am here, grasping onto something tightly


Can you see the fear in my eyes
Are you able to perceive the anxiety reflected in my gaze


I don’t mind, I don’t mind
I am not bothered by it, I am unaffected


I’d like to see you waiting by the shore
I desire to witness you patiently waiting at the coastline


Just like a hundred times before
Similar to numerous occasions in the past


And I hope the seas will be kind to me
I hold an optimistic outlook that the waters will treat me kindly


Will they call me back for more
Would they beckon me to return for additional experiences




Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)
Written by: Andre Papanicolaou

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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