Sanity
Butane Lyrics
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With a constant stare
Not an urgent care
She gives me attention
Over there
Long flowing hair
No, she wouldn't dare
With her arm she attends him
So I work the room
Tapping feet to tunes
With nothing to lose
Even though I know
I know I could have you
Give me your eyes
Give me your everything
(everything for me)
And I will never take your sanity
Over there
A constant stare
Not an urgent care
I give her attention
Over there
Long flowing hair
No she would dare
With her arm she attends him
So she works the room
Tapping feet to tunes
With nothing to lose
Even though she knows
She knows she could have me
Over there, don't think that I can't see you staring
You know you could have me
The lyrics to Butane's song Sanity depict a scene where the singer is at a gathering where he notices a woman with whom he shares an intense connection. Despite her being with another man, he cannot help but feel drawn to her. He imagines a scenario where she gives him her attention and everything she has to offer. However, he assures her that he is not there to take her sanity away.
Throughout the song, there is an element of longing and desire that is present in the singer's voice. His tapping feet to tunes indicate his restlessness and eagerness to be noticed by the woman. Similarly, the woman he is interested in is shown to be tapping her feet as well, indicating that there is a mutual attraction that exists between the two.
However, despite the attraction, there is also an acknowledgment that the scenario is unlikely to become a reality. The lyrics suggest that the two individuals are eavesdropping on each other, watching each other from across the room. They are both aware of the connection that exists between them, but they also know that they cannot act on it.
Line by Line Meaning
Over there
The singer notices someone across the room.
With a constant stare
The person is looking at the singer consistently.
Not an urgent care
Their gaze is not urgent or concerning.
She gives me attention
Despite not being urgent, the person is paying attention to the artist.
Long flowing hair
The person has long hair.
No, she wouldn't dare
The person is not likely to take action for fear of potential consequences.
With her arm she attends him
The person is attending to someone else, possibly their partner.
So I work the room
The artist decides to mingle with other people in the room.
Tapping feet to tunes
The artist is enjoying the music and dancing along.
With nothing to lose
The artist has no significant investment in the situation.
Even though I know
Despite understanding the situation, the singer still has feelings for the person across the room.
I know I could have you
The artist is aware of the possibility of connection with the person across the room.
Give me your eyes
The singer wants the person's attention ahead of anything else.
Give me your everything
The singer proposes building a deeper connection with the person, beyond just physical attraction.
(everything for me)
The singer wants a fully-committed relationship from the person.
And I will never take your sanity
The artist promises to be a stabilizing presence in the person's life, even as their relationship grows thicker.
Over there, don't think that I can't see you staring
The artist directly addresses the person, making known that they are aware of the constant stares.
You know you could have me
The singer acknowledges that the person possesses the power for connection just as they do.
Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.