What Have I Done
Christina Carter/DJ Shadow Lyrics

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I speak from the heart
I fear beginning
I must go
Broken and soaked
To the wider world returning
I'll never be sullen again
Something is wrong
I can't stop my thoughts

I tell myself to stop them

Stop, stop what you're doing
I guess I'd better face it

The thoughts are sabotaging me
Even though they are mine
It feels as if it is physical
Like being in a different world
Weirder
As if somehow things just are

Let's go ahead and get it over with

Don't be afraid
Can't you trust me
We all have thoughts
And we are together
We are together
I am your healing spirit
I am your healing spirit
I am your healing spirit

Healing spirit

There is a boy
Standing in a meadow
Looking out into the sky
And hundreds (and hundreds)
And hundreds (and hundreds)
And hundreds of butterflies
Lift off from around him
(Lift off from around him)
That's all I can remember
(Lift off from around him...)

Your mind
Due (?) bright morning
Dance with light
Send stars to the night

I am awake
I have a dream
I am living proof
I am living proof

What I have done
What I have done
What I have done

First steps
Through open fields

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Christina Carter/DJ Shadow's song "What Have I Done" are reflective of a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The singer is grappling with some inner turmoil, as they try to overcome an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, and leave behind their past life. The singer acknowledges that something is not right and admits that their thoughts are sabotaging them. They are determined to move forward, even though they are uncertain of what lies ahead. The singer, however, finds solace in the fact that they are not alone, and that they have a community of people who are supporting them on their journey of healing.

The lyrics are also quite metaphorical, with the butterfly possibly symbolizing a rebirth or transformation. The singer recalls a boy standing in a meadow, surrounded by hundreds of butterflies that lift off from around him. This could be a representation of the singer's own transformation, as they shed their old self and embrace a new version of themselves.

Through the lyrics, the singer also seems to be encouraging themselves to stay positive and optimistic about the future. They speak of living proof and having a dream, which could be a metaphor for living a happy and fulfilled life. The chorus repeatedly states "I am your healing spirit," which could be interpreted as the singer speaking to their own inner self or others who are facing similar struggles.

Line by Line Meaning

I speak from the heart
I am being honest and genuine about my feelings

I fear beginning
I am afraid of starting something new

I must go
I have to leave

Broken and soaked
I am emotionally and physically drained

To the wider world returning
I am going back out into the world

I'll never be sullen again
I won't be sad or depressed anymore

Something is wrong
I feel like something is not right

I can't stop my thoughts
I am unable to control what I am thinking

I tell myself to stop them
I try to convince myself to stop thinking certain things

Stop, stop what you're doing
Stop whatever you are doing that is causing problems

I guess I'd better face it
I need to confront the issue

The thoughts are sabotaging me
My thoughts are harming me and preventing me from being successful

Even though they are mine
Even though the thoughts are coming from my own mind

It feels as if it is physical
The thoughts feel like a physical sensation

Like being in a different world
It feels like I am in a completely different reality

Weirder
Stranger than anything I have experienced before

As if somehow things just are
It feels like the way things are and there is no explanation for it

Let's go ahead and get it over with
Let's face the problem head-on and get it resolved

Don't be afraid
Do not be scared

Can't you trust me
Do you not have faith in me

We all have thoughts
Everyone experiences their own thoughts

And we are together
We are not alone in our thoughts

I am your healing spirit
I am here to help you heal and overcome your challenges

Healing spirit
I am here to bring healing and comfort

There is a boy
A young boy is present

Standing in a meadow
He is standing in an open field

Looking out into the sky
He is staring at the sky

And hundreds (and hundreds)
There are many

Of butterflies
Butterflies are present

Lift off from around him
The butterflies take off and fly around him

(Lift off from around him...)
The butterflies take off around the boy

Your mind
Your thoughts

Due (?) bright morning
On a clear and bright morning

Dance with light
Move and flow with the light

Send stars to the night
Create a beautiful spectacle visible in the night sky

I am awake
I am alert and conscious

I have a dream
I have aspirations

I am living proof
I am a testament to what is possible

What I have done
What I have accomplished

First steps
The beginning of something new

Through open fields
Taking a journey through uncharted territory

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSH PAUL DAVIS, CHRISTINA CARTER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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