Under the Surface
Bettie Serveert Lyrics


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You could travel for a lifetime
And still stay where you are
You could wait until the right time
Resolve to make or mar
People tell you what they know
They're mostly wrong from the word go

It's under the surface and it's up in the sky
That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try

The lines are old yet still not weakened
You don't know what to do
'Cause everyone else around is sleeping
The choice is up to you
Now you better watch out what you're saying
These words could cut like swords
You better watch out while you're praying
Find out what you're praying for
People tell you what they know
They're mostly wrong from the word go

'Cause it's under the surface and it's up in the sky
That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try

It's so unexpected, now how could it be true
I never would detect it if it hadn't been for you
Now I got this notion and it's bottled up inside
A swamp of emotions there's no need to hide





It's under the surface and it's up in the sky
That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try

Overall Meaning

Bettie Serveert's song "Under the Surface" is an introspective take on the complex nature of truth and self-discovery. The song starts with the assertion that even if one were to travel for a lifetime, they may still not truly move forward in their journey. The lyrics suggest that the search for truth and purpose is not something that can be attained through a simple physical journey or by waiting for the "right time." The singer implies that people may give advice and share their knowledge, but their understanding is often flawed.


The chorus of the song drives home the idea that what we search for is not necessarily something that can be attained through external means. The truth is "under the surface and it's up in the sky," meaning that what we are looking for may be hidden, intangible, or simply beyond our grasp. The song encourages us not to waste our time attempting to reach for something that is ultimately unattainable.


The second half of the song changes direction and focuses on the emotions and choices that can complicate our search for truth. The singer warns us to be careful with our words and to pay attention to our prayers, because they may reveal more about ourselves than we would like. The final verse suggests that the discovery of a deeper truth can be surprising and unexpected, but it is ultimately something that we should embrace and not hide away.


Overall, "Under the Surface" is a poignant reminder that truth and purpose are not always easy to find and that our search for these things requires introspection and awareness of the limitations of our external circumstances.


Line by Line Meaning

You could travel for a lifetime
You could spend your whole life searching


And still stay where you are
And still not find what you're looking for


You could wait until the right time
You might think the answer will come at the perfect moment


Resolve to make or mar
Believing your choice can either make or break your situation


People tell you what they know
Others share what they think, but that doesn't mean it's true


They're mostly wrong from the word go
Their opinions are usually incorrect from the start


It's under the surface and it's up in the sky
The answer is hidden and complex


That's why you won't reach it, so don't even try
It can't be obtained, so stop trying


The lines are old yet still not weakened
The problem persists despite being long-standing


You don't know what to do
You're unsure of how to proceed


'Cause everyone else around is sleeping
Everyone else is unaware or uninvolved


The choice is up to you
You are responsible for making the decision


Now you better watch out what you're saying
Be careful of the words you speak


These words could cut like swords
Your words can hurt others deeply


You better watch out while you're praying
Be mindful of what you're asking for


Find out what you're praying for
Make sure you truly know what you want


It's so unexpected, now how could it be true
The answer may seem unlikely at first


I never would detect it if it hadn't been for you
You wouldn't have found the answer without help


Now I got this notion and it's bottled up inside
Now you have an idea that you're holding onto


A swamp of emotions there's no need to hide
You have a vast array of emotions that don't need to be hidden




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: LARS OLOF NOREN, PETER ALF SVEDIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Miguel Castro

One lost friend of mine, Inga from Arnhem, showed me this band in1997. I love it since then. Thank you Inga, wherever you are :)

RICHARD JOHN Moyse

The UK is still twenty years behind but give them a chance to catch up

SempieNL

The origins of Bettie Serveert are in Arnhem. They started out under another name, De Artsen. When one of the band members was exchanged, they changed the name to Bettie Serveert. Carol joined the band as a singer at that time, before she was the sound mixer. At that period of time, the band was Amsterdam based.

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