Never Before
Church Lyrics


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The streets are paved with money
Where nothing's ever sold
Rain falls while it's sunny
And sights worth more than gold
The fires alive are burning
To warm those in the fold

Like never before
Like never before
Like never before

With a portal left to be tried
And find you're not denied
Even filmed in grey at a matinee
It's like never before

Daybreak's a sign for many
Whose work is not in vain
Worth less without any
But measured not by gain
A game that all are winning
As they're guided down destiny lane

Like never before
Like never before
Like never before

With a portal left to be tried
And find you're not denied
Even filmed in grey at a matinee
It's like never before

A night pierced with stars
Like never before (never before)
And time wears the scars
Like never before (never before)
The song's sad melody
Like never before (never before)




And pain's just a memory
Like never before (never before)

Overall Meaning

The song "Never Before" by Church's appears to be a meditation on the value of experience and the ways in which it shapes our perception of the world around us. The first verse describes a landscape that is surreal and contradictory, with streets paved with money and rain falling while the sun shines. This seems to suggest an environment where material wealth and other forms of abundance are abundant, yet the sense of disorientation and unreality that accompanies these conditions suggests that something deeper is at stake.


The chorus repeats the phrase "like never before," which can perhaps be read as an expression of wonder, awe, or amazement at the richness and complexity of life. This is further elaborated in the second verse, which speaks of the importance of work and purpose in our lives, even in the absence of tangible rewards. The "game that all are winning" may refer to the idea that life is inherently meaningful, no matter how much we achieve or amass in material terms.


The bridge of the song adds another layer of meaning to the theme of experience, suggesting that even unpleasant or difficult moments can be transformative and valuable. The reference to a "night pierced with stars" and the idea of scars and memories speak to the ways in which our past can shape and inform our present, and suggest that even feelings of pain or sadness can be transcended through the power of experience and memory.


Line by Line Meaning

The streets are paved with money
The world outside is full of wealth and luxury.


Where nothing's ever sold
Everything people could want can be found for free or without cost.


Rain falls while it's sunny
Even though everything seems perfect, there are still aspects of life, like unexpected rain, that can disrupt this illusion.


And sights worth more than gold
The value of beauty and wonder is immeasurable, worth more than any material wealth.


The fires alive are burning
The passion and energy of the people who have come together for a common purpose is evident in the flames.


To warm those in the fold
This passion brings warmth and unity to those who are part of this community.


With a portal left to be tried
There is an opportunity to explore and discover something new, to take a chance and see what happens.


And find you're not denied
There is no restriction or obstacle preventing one from taking that chance.


Even filmed in grey at a matinee
Even mundane or seemingly insignificant moments can hold deep meaning and significance when viewed through the right lens or from a certain perspective.


Daybreak's a sign for many
The start of a new day holds hope and promise for those who have important work to do.


Whose work is not in vain
This work is meaningful and serves a greater purpose, not just for the individual but for others as well.


Worth less without any
Without meaningful work, life can feel empty and meaningless.


But measured not by gain
The value of this work is not in what it brings materially, but in its intrinsic worth and the positive impact it has on others.


A game that all are winning
Life is not a competition, but rather a collaborative effort where everyone can benefit and succeed together.


As they're guided down destiny lane
Every person has their own unique path and purpose in life that can be discovered and followed, and there is a force greater than oneself that can help guide them along that journey.


A night pierced with stars
Even in the darkness, there is always light and beauty to be found.


And time wears the scars
Over time, wounds may heal, but the scars remain as a reminder of past experiences.


The song's sad melody
Even though there may be sorrow or pain within a melody, there is still beauty to be found in the music.


And pain's just a memory
With time, the hurt of past pain can be replaced by the memory of the good times and positive experiences that have occurred.




Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

RallyCat 909

I have loved The Church since 87. Growing up in mississippi as a teen, it was a bit rough really. Kids then around there listened to WhiteSnake, and Poison, or maybe Paula Abdul. The Church, DDuran, The Ocean Blue, and Rush. Those were the bands that made us excited about music, and inspired us to wanna play music even of some consider them totally unrelated. They were everything to us, and The Church was part of that. Respect.

Alberto DAvenia

Peter Koppes songs always add that special touch to the Church sound...

SUNSHINEandSPIRIT

Yes the church's music was a major part of my youth also rallycat,great band who continue to release some real quality,thanks for stopping by and respect to you too.

Judith Flores

I could listen this song all day long, never tired. A beautiful combination music and image. I enjoy it very much

Eric de Forest

One of my favorites from the guys... Thanks for posting this great video. : )

nycsp

Peter Koppes, always my favorite!!😍😍😍😍😍

ShootToLuna

God, I love The Church...

Laura Ess

A song about.... ...the end of time, first contact, or?
I love it!

4846steven

awesome video buddy all the stars to you my friend

Simoin Atkinson

the church rule!!

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