The Messenger
Blonde Redhead feat. David Sylvian Lyrics

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Stay still do be still
No wonder you are always lost
If a messenger you must be known
Then with messages you must return
To be seen by demanding hands
And touches of jealous men
Invisible and forgivable
To all their secret hands

Be it so be quick
Don't run just walk and walk and walk
Don't loose yourself to decorate
Somewhere on your wall
Cause somewhere in your mind
You know you are doing fine
Holding secret hair locks
You'll pluck before you hide

So how can I keep anything to myself
So how can I keep any of these to myself
So how can I keep anything to myself

Behind those clouds
I'm almost home

Overall Meaning

The song "Messenger" by Blonde Redhead is a hauntingly beautiful tune about the struggles of keeping secrets and fulfilling the expectations of those around you. The lyrics speak to a messenger who is constantly lost and in search of answers. The messenger must return with messages, but faces the demands and jealousy of those who receive them. The pressure to hide and keep secrets is palpable, as the messenger is torn between openness and concealment. The line "Don't lose yourself to decorate somewhere on your wall" suggests that the messenger must maintain their authenticity amidst the pressures of conformity.

The chorus repeats the phrases "So how can I keep anything to myself" and "Behind those clouds I'm almost home." This repetition emphasizes the conflict between secrecy and honesty, and hints at a desire for release and acceptance. The use of the metaphor of "clouds" suggests that the messenger is hovering between two states of being, with the potential for clarity just out of reach.

Overall, "Messenger" is a powerful mediation on the struggles of communication and authenticity in a complex and demanding world.

Line by Line Meaning

Stay still do be still
Remain calm and composed

No wonder you are always lost
It's understandable that you feel lost because you're not grounded

If a messenger you must be known
If you want to be seen as a messenger of something important

Then with messages you must return
You need to take the message back with you

To be seen by demanding hands
It's essential that you deliver the message quickly

And touches of jealous men
But there will be those who may try to stop you or claim the message as their own

Invisible and forgivable
Your presence may not be noticed, but it's important that you forgive yourself for any mistakes

To all their secret hands
The message needs to reach everyone, even those who may try to hide it

Be it so be quick
Therefore, be quick in your delivery

Don't run just walk and walk and walk
Don't rush, but don't waste time either