Kathy
Clouds Lyrics


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Thanks a lot for caring
For talking to me
Taking time out
Taking me to a corner
Getting me to let it all out

I have told you everything
That I'm feeling
You understand my pain
See it's all inside me
There's nothing wrong
I'm just insane

Kathy I'm frightened I am
And the Go-Betweens
Documented everything in a song
Every hour that went wrong

Every moment of ecstasy
Every fantasy
I had it bottled up inside
Guess you'd say I tried
I lied

You advised me long ago
To listen closely to my inner soul
Sometimes I understand
But now he's gone
Don't know where I am

Kathy I'm frightened I am
And the Go-Betweens
Documented everything in a song
Every hour that went wrong

You advised me long ago
To listen closely to my inner soul
I must have listened to my shoe instead




Or maybe to my head
My stupid head

Overall Meaning

The song "Kathy" by Clouds is a ballad about confiding in a friend and the importance of being heard. Through the lyrics, the singer acknowledges the support they have received from their friend, thanking them for taking the time to listen and understand. The singer admits that they have told their friend everything they are feeling, even acknowledging that they may be viewed as "insane," but reassures their friend that there is nothing wrong with them.


The song takes a darker turn as the singer delves into their feelings of fear and confusion, influenced by the Australian indie rock band, The Go-Betweens. The singer references the Go-Betweens' documenting of their life experiences in their songs, implying that the band's lyrical content resonated with the singer's own turmoil. The singer admits to bottling up their emotions and possibly lying about their feelings, and reflects on the advice their friend gave them to listen to their inner soul. The song concludes with a self-critique of not having followed their own advice, feeling lost without someone to guide them.


Overall, "Kathy" serves as a reminder of the importance of having a supportive friend to confide in during difficult times and the consequences of neglecting one's own inner voice.


Line by Line Meaning

Thanks a lot for caring
Expressing gratitude to the listener for showing care and support.


For talking to me
Appreciating the listener for engaging in conversation and providing emotional support.


Taking time out
Thanking the listener for making time to hear and help.


Taking me to a corner
Acknowledging that the listener provided a private and safe space to share feelings.


Getting me to let it all out
Grateful for the listener's ability to encourage and help open up emotive conversation.


I have told you everything
Emphasizing that the singer has shared all their emotions and feelings with the listener.


That I'm feeling
Clarifying that the singer is speaking specifically about their emotions and subjective experiences.


You understand my pain
Acknowledging that the listener comprehends and empathizes with the artist's situation.


See it's all inside me
Acknowledging that the pain or emotional problems are internal in nature and perhaps difficult to express to others.


There's nothing wrong
Clarifying that the situation is not a 'problem' per se; it's simply the nature of the artist's emotional experience.


I'm just insane
Using hyperbole to express the singer's feelings of isolation or being misunderstood.


Kathy I'm frightened I am
Addressing the listener by name and expressing fear or apprehension over some unknown factor or event.


And the Go-Betweens
Referencing a band, possibly as an allusion to shared musical or cultural interests with the listener.


Documented everything in a song
Noting that the Go-Betweens wrote songs that touched on subjects or emotions that resonate with the singer.


Every hour that went wrong
Suggesting that the lyrics of the Go-Betweens' songs reflect negative or difficult events in the singer's life.


Every moment of ecstasy
Suggesting that the lyrics of the Go-Betweens' songs also touch on moments of positive or edifying experience for the artist.


Every fantasy
Indicating that the songs' lyrics also relate to personal feelings or imaginative scenarios.


I had it bottled up inside
Expressing the singer's feeling of having concealed or suppressed their emotional state before speaking with the listener.


Guess you'd say I tried
Acknowledging that the singer had attempted to keep their feelings 'in check' before deciding to speak to the listener.


I lied
Suggesting that the concealment of the artist's emotional state may have caused them to lie or hide truths from others.


You advised me long ago
Remembering and referencing helpful advice that the listener gave the artist in the past.


To listen closely to my inner soul
Recalling a previous suggestion from the listener to be introspective and listen to their own emotions and instincts.


Sometimes I understand
Admitting that the listener's advice can be difficult to apply or comprehend at times.


But now he's gone
Suggesting that a person, perhaps someone who enabled negative aspects of the artist's life, has recently left or died.


Don't know where I am
Expressing confusion or disorientation in light of recent or ongoing changes.


I must have listened to my shoe instead
Using whimsy to express doubt or second-guessing about past choices or actions.


Or maybe to my head
Suggesting that the singer may have relied too heavily on intellectual or logical decision-making regarding emotional issues.


My stupid head
Using self-deprecating humor to take blame for mistakes or negative consequences.




Contributed by Mia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@Ian_KH

I love that bass sound and always have since I first heard it nearly 30 years ago.

@astropillars5252

Good Shit I remember seeing these at the prince of whales years ago. Amazing live those vocal harmonies note for note

@Clarencerdpuppets

ooo, this is nice.

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