"Pavement Cracks" peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart in the Summer of 2003.
No music video was made for the single. However, a live performance of "Pavement Cracks" was released as a video instead.
Pavement Cracks
Annie Lennox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I'm walkin' just the same
Skies turn to the usual grey
When you turn to face the day
And love don't show up in the pavement cracks
All my water colors fade to black
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm ten steps back
All my dreams have fallen flat
(Love don't show in the pavement cracks
There will be no turning back)
Time and space will pass us by and by
When we don't see eye to eye
I would have done anything
For happiness to bring ...
But it don't show up in the pavement cracks
I can't even cover up my tracks
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm light years back
Ooh I wish you well
How come
Every day
I'm still waiting for the change?
How come
I still say
Give me strength to live?
Where is my comfort zone?
A simple place to call my own
'Cause everything I want to be
Comes crashing down on me
And it don't show up in the pavement cracks
I can't even recognize my tracks
You and I can't turn the whole thing back
Ooh I wish you well
(Love don't show in the pavement cracks
There will be no turning back)
"Pavement Cracks" by Annie Lennox is a song with thought-provoking lyrics that allude to the struggles we face with love and life. The opening verse describes the city streets wet with rain, and even though Lennox is walking through it, the skies are grey and love seems to have no place in the pavement cracks. She expresses the feeling that nothing goes right, and all her dreams have fallen flat. This sense of hopelessness is further emphasized when she says, "I'm going nowhere, and I'm ten steps back."
The chorus repeats the message that love doesn't show up in the pavement cracks, and there will be no turning back. This theme is repeated throughout the song, suggesting that no matter how hard we try, some things cannot be undone. The second verse discusses the passing of time and space when we don't have a shared perspective, and how Lennox would have done anything for happiness, but it doesn't show up in the pavement cracks. The bridge explores the idea of waiting for change, praying for strength to live, and searching for a comfort zone that seems out of reach. The song ends by repeating the chorus with a resolution that love doesn't show up, and recognizing that Lennox and her partner can't turn back the whole thing.
Overall, "Pavement Cracks" is a poignant reflection on the struggles and disappointments we face in life, particularly in the realm of love. However, the song also suggests an acceptance of the limitations of what we can control and the need to move forward without turning back.
Line by Line Meaning
The city streets are wet again with rain
It has rained again, and the streets are wet in the city.
But I'm walkin' just the same
Despite the bad weather, she is still walking on the streets.
Skies turn to the usual grey
The skies are typically grey on a rainy day.
When you turn to face the day
Every day is an opportunity to start fresh.
And love don't show up in the pavement cracks
Love cannot be found in physical things like pavement cracks.
All my water colors fade to black
Her vibrant life is no longer colorful, and everything seems dull.
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm ten steps back
She feels stuck and is not making any progress in her life.
All my dreams have fallen flat
Her hopes and aspirations have been crushed.
Time and space will pass us by and by
Time moves forward, no matter what we do.
When we don't see eye to eye
When people do not agree with each other.
I would have done anything
She is willing to do anything to find happiness.
For happiness to bring ...
She believes happiness will solve all her problems.
But it don't show up in the pavement cracks
Happiness cannot be found in physical things like pavement cracks.
I can't even cover up my tracks
She cannot hide the fact that she is not making progress.
I'm goin' nowhere and I'm light years back
She feels like she is falling behind and has a long way to go.
Ooh I wish you well
She wishes the best for someone, even if it is not herself.
How come
Every day
I'm still waiting for the change?
She wonders why nothing is changing in her life despite her efforts.
How come
I still say
Give me strength to live?
She still needs strength to get through everyday life.
Where is my comfort zone?
She is looking for a place where she feels comfortable and safe.
A simple place to call my own
She desires a simple and safe space to call her own.
'Cause everything I want to be
Comes crashing down on me
Her aspirations and goals are being thwarted by life's obstacles and struggles.
And it don't show up in the pavement cracks
Her desires and aspirations cannot be found in physical things like pavement cracks.
I can't even recognize my tracks
She has lost sight of her progress and cannot see her own trail anymore.
You and I can't turn the whole thing back
She and someone else cannot turn back time.
Ooh I wish you well
She wishes the best for someone, even if it is not herself.
(Love don't show in the pavement cracks
There will be no turning back)
Love cannot be found in physical things like pavement cracks, and it is impossible to turn back time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANNIE LENNOX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind