Sway
Bic Runga - American Pie Lyrics


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Don't stray
Don't ever go away
I should be much too smart for this
You know it gets the better of me
Sometimes
When you and I collide
I fall into an ocean of you
Pull me out in time
Don't let me drown
Let me down
I say it's all because of you
And here I go
Losing my control
I'm practicing your name
So I can say it
To your face it doesn't
Seem right
To look you in the eye
Let all the things
You mean to me
Come tumbling out my mouth
Indeed it's time
Tell you why
I say it's
Infinitely true

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you

And there's no cure
And no way to be sure
Why everything's turned inside out
Instilling so much doubt
It makes me so tired
I feel so uninspired
My head is battling with my heart
My logic has been torn apart
And now
It all turns sour
Come sweeten
Every afternoon

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you

It's all because of you
It's all because of you

Now it all turns sour
Come sweeten
Every afternoon
It's time
Tell you why
I say it's
Infinitely true

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you

Say you'll stay
Don't come and go
Like you do
Sway my way
Yeah I need to know
All about you

It's all because of you




It's all because of you
It's all because of you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Sway" by Bic Runga express the feeling of being consumed by love towards someone and trying to control that feeling. The opening lines “Don't stray, don't ever go away, I should be much too smart for this” reveals the artist’s struggle to control her emotions while simultaneously acknowledging that they hold power over her. The chorus "Say you'll stay, don't come and go like you do, sway my way yeah, I need to know all about you" shows the desire for the person to stay and let her in. The lyrics “It makes me so tired, I feel so uninspired” express the frustration and exhaustion that come with trying to contain these overwhelming feelings.


As the song progresses, the artist becomes more determined to reveal her true feelings to the person. "My head is battling with my heart, my logic has been torn apart" shows that she is fighting an emotional battle but finally decides to speak up. The ending lyrics "It's all because of you, it's all because of you" illustrates how the person has consumed every aspect of her life, and she is powerless.


In conclusion, "Sway" captures the feeling of being consumed by love and the struggle to control it. The song expresses the desire for someone to stay and let the artist in and the frustration and exhaustion that often come with trying to contain such overwhelming emotions.


Interesting facts about the song:


1) Bic Runga wrote "Sway" about a friend she had, who she had feelings for, but didn't have the courage to tell him.


2) "Sway" was released on Runga's debut album "Drive"' in 1997 and became a hit in both New Zealand and Australia.


3) The song was later used in the 1999 movie "American Pie" as well as in the TV series "Six Feet Under" and "Grey's Anatomy".


4) "Sway" won "Single of the Year" at the New Zealand Music Awards in 1998.


5) In 2013, Bic Runga was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.


6) The song was covered by the band The Kooks in 2008.


7) The accompanying music video for "Sway" features Bic Runga and several other people sitting on different chairs throughout the video.


8) Bic Runga's parents are both musicians, and she started singing and playing guitar in her teenage years.


9) The album "Drive" was recorded in just 10 days.


10) Bic Runga has won numerous national and international awards over the years, including APRA Silver Scroll Awards and New Zealand Music Awards.


Chords:
Unfortunately, the chords for this song are not provided.


Line by Line Meaning

Don't stray
Don't wander off from me


Don't ever go away
Never leave me alone


I should be much too smart for this
I know better than to fall for you


You know it gets the better of me
You have power over me


Sometimes
Occasionally


When you and I collide
When we come together


I fall into an ocean of you
I get lost in you


Pull me out in time
Save me before it's too late


Don't let me drown
Don't let me suffocate in my feelings


Let me down
Disappoint me


I say it's all because of you
I blame you for my feelings


And here I go
I'm about to lose control


Losing my control
Losing my self-restraint


I'm practicing your name
I keep repeating your name


So I can say it
To prepare myself


To your face it doesn't seem right
It feels weird to say it to you in person


To look you in the eye
To meet your gaze


Let all the things you mean to me
Express all my emotions for you


Come tumbling out my mouth
Speak candidly without filter


Indeed it's time
It's finally the right moment


Tell you why
Explain my feelings


I say it's infinitely true
My love for you is endless


Say you'll stay
Promise you'll remain with me


Don't come and go like you do
Don't treat me poorly with your presence


Sway my way
Let me have some influence over you


Yeah I need to know all about you
I want to learn everything about you


And there's no cure
Can't find any solution


And no way to be sure
Can't be certain


Why everything's turned inside out
Why everything is confusing


Instilling so much doubt
Causing a lot of uncertainty


It makes me so tired
It exhausts me


I feel so uninspired
I'm feeling uncreative


My head is battling with my heart
My mind and emotions are in conflict


My logic has been torn apart
My reasoning is shattered


And now it all turns sour
Now everything is going wrong


Come sweeten every afternoon
Bring happiness to every moment


It's all because of you
Everything is your fault or thanks to you




Contributed by Anna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@Laz4r96

American Pie makes me feel nostalgia for an era I didn't even grew up in.

@trecking

I was actually the same age of these actors when this came out, amazing movies, even years down the line they seem even more relevant, the soundtrack to this first movie was quality.... Nostalgia every time I listen to these songs.... From the UK...

@theconquerorII

Too

@HardPass

comment win

@enterthebruce9116

@scol I was 8 years old when the 1st American Pie film came out. The best American teen comedy film ever along with Superbad!

@AngelzKidG7

You'll never be alone.

9 More Replies...

@erichenderson601

The best series ever!. Make me want to go back the times when people had no cell phone or facebook. People were actually "friends" and actually "hangout" with others in the night time.

@doomzocker

Kostenlos S

@four-twenty4205

So true... I miss the old times when people would actually spend time together

@TheNobleJay

Probably my favorite movie series.. Whenever I'm feeling down I watch them and immediately feel better.. I love the 90's nostalgia and music.

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