Unknown During 1984 , my favorite part about this song
While I have listened to the original content it's a personal experience that I feel has been sourced for the H.I.V. Survivors of the aids epidemic in North America ?
covered by Barenaked Ladies
Lovers in a Dangerous Time
Barenaked Ladies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We never get to stop and open our eyes
One minute you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
We were lovers in a dangerous time
We were lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers, lovers, lovers
Oh
Lovers in a dangerous time
The Barenaked Ladies' song "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" paints a picture of lovers navigating through life's uncertainties. The opening lines of the song set the tone of the song wondering if the hours were growing shorter as the days go by, and how we never have a moment to stop and take in the beauty surrounding us. The song talks about how life's moments can feel like we are waiting for a catastrophe to happen and then in the next moment, we are struck with awe and amazement at the same beauty we were afraid to face. The chorus states "Lovers in a dangerous time" in a way that captures the essence of how love feels when faced with danger, uncertainty, and the unpredictability of life.
The second verse goes further into how fragile our bodies, touch, and taste are. It is a commentary on how delicate life is and how fleeting moments of love can be. The reference to the "thrust of grace" speaks to how love is a powerful force and can help us in moments of difficulty if we are open to its power. The line "Never a breath you can afford to waste" highlights how short life is, and how time is valuable. The chorus re-emphasizes how loving can be dangerous, but it can also be a source of solace in the face of uncertainty.
The final verse of the song talks about how, as lovers, we are sometimes made to feel like our love is a crime. Love can be an emotional battlefield, but if we want to have something worth living for, we need to fight for it. The line "Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight" is a powerful statement on the importance of fighting for what we believe in, even when faced with adversity.
Overall, "Lovers in a Dangerous Time" is a powerful song about the complexities and uncertainties of love. It emphasizes how fragile life can be and the importance of fighting for what we believe in, even when faced with danger.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by
Time seems to slip away quickly and we are unable to fully appreciate each moment.
We never get to stop and open our eyes
We are so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take a break and appreciate the beauty around us.
One minute you're waiting for the sky to fall
Sometimes life can feel so uncertain that we expect the worst to happen at any moment.
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Despite the uncertainty, there are moments that take our breath away with their sheer beauty.
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
Our physical bodies are delicate and sensitive to the world around us.
This fragrant skin, this hair like lace
Our skin and hair are sensory experiences that add to our overall physical experience.
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Our spirits are open to experiences that fill us with grace and wonder.
Never a breath you can afford to waste
We should make the most of every moment and not waste any of our precious time on this earth.
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
When two people are in love during difficult times, their relationship can feel like an uphill battle.
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
Society may not approve of their love, making the couple feel like outcasts or criminals.
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Anything truly valuable requires effort to achieve and maintain.
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
We have to persevere through tough times until we see the light on the other side.
We were lovers in a dangerous time
The singers were in love during a difficult period in their lives.
Lovers, lovers, lovers
They remind themselves of their love and that they have each other to rely on.
Oh
A simple expression of emotion or sentiment.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Cockburn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Reid-Taylor
Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by
You never get to stop and open our eyes
One minute you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This fragrant skin this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
We were lovers in a dangerous time
We were lovers in a dangerous time
Heather Wallace
Don't the hours go shorter as the days go by
We never get to stop and open our eyes
One minute your waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This fragrant skin, this hair like lace
Spirits open to a thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
EuropaTheLastBattle(DOT)net & Hellstorm
Lyrics
Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by
We never get to stop and open our eyes
One minute you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This fragrant skin, this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime
Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
We were lovers in a dangerous time
We were lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers, lovers, lovers
Oh
Lovers in a dangerous time
Pat Dudar
Man, what a cover! As time passes, you really appreciate how talented these guys are, and how different they were compared to everything else in the early 90's
KittyCat2024
Yessss❤
tonzo41
I was once a lover in a very dangerous time. I am filled with joy (among other things) that I no longer have to hide my true self in this more accepting world. This song got me through, time and time again. I never thought I would say this but ...Thank you Barenaked Ladies!
bful13
Beautiful words
J Coltrane
What’s your true self?
Hllyen Aylleth
@J Coltrane Yeah, this song isn't about that
Curious_Cat
And those times are coming back, so we need more Barenaked Ladies and less fascism.
William Johnston
"Nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight. Gotta kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight."
I love that line. It is beautiful.
countof3everybodyOD
I don’t know what I like better, that or the entire ‘these fragile bodies of touch and taste’ verse
Cisco Kid
There are so many beautifully written verses in this song. Choosing one is tough. When I first listened to this remake they invoked a sense of urgency with the tempo and base. Their harmony brought a sadness, it's hard to describe in words. Just beautiful.