Railway
Boy Lyrics

The lyrics to Boy's song Railway feature vivid imagery and metaphors that explore the notion of distance and the feeling of longing for a person who is not physically present. The song begins with a series of fragmented images, setting the scene with "Railway tracks, Mountain tops, Frozen fields, A church a dog, Icicles, On a fence" which all "Remind me of my heart." These images depict a place that is both cold and barren, yet also filled with emotion and memory. The idea of a dog and a church can represent comfort, companionship and faith, and the icicles on the fence may imply that the heart is frozen and cold.

The second verse of the song takes on a more industrial tone, describing "Roadhouse, Parking lots, Factories, Stones and rocks, Metal sky." The use of these urban images contrast with the more natural and rural settings in the first verse, possibly signifying the difference between the singer's memories and the present reality. The phrase "Metal sky" is particularly striking, as it conveys a sense of bleakness and gloom. The chorus returns with the repeated line "And you're in my head / Only in my head," emphasizing the theme of a person's mental presence.

The final verse shifts back to nature, describing "Villages, In white disguise, Lakes as green, As your eyes, Railway tracks, Mountain tops." These natural images are more positive than the ones in the second verse and could represent hope and a renewed sense of emotional well-being. The line "I'm breaking through / These tunnel walls" implies that the singer is overcoming some sort of obstacle on their emotional journey. The song concludes with "I'm waving goodbye / Only in my mind," which suggests that the singer is resigned to the fact that the person they long for is no longer a part of their physical reality.