Singer/Songwriter Colin Hay is the former front-man of the classic Australian band Men at Work. Since the group disbanded he has released several solo albums, including Man at Work, which featured re-recordings of classic Men at Work songs in an acoustic environment.
Hay has also been involved with the NBC TV series Scrubs, lending several songs to the sitcom, including "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin," "My Brilliant Feat" and "Beautiful World." He also starred as a troubadour in the first episode of season two, "My Overkill," performing his song "Overkill," which was also the basis for the episode's title.
Lifeline
Colin Hay Lyrics
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Drive into the hills
Roll down the top
And just throw away your pills
You'll never forget her
So why do you even try?
Things'll get easier
As the days go creeping by
Broke my heart
Saw it coming from the start
I really hate to see the shape I'm in
Broke all the rules
And you know life can be cruel
But I think it's time I learned to swim
Show me
There still can be some mystery
I haven't found
Throw me
A lifeline to the lost at sea
Don't let me drown
And if I had my way
Tell you what I'd do
Drive down to the lake
Before the sky gets blue
Fill up my bottle
With water from the spring
Because I read somewhere that it cures everything
Broke my heart
Saw it coming from the start
I really hate to see the shape I'm in
Broke all the rules
And you know life can be cruel
But I think it's time I learned to swim
Show me
There still can be some mystery
I haven't found
Throw me
A lifeline to the lost at sea
Don't let me drown
Broke my heart
Saw it coming from the start
I really hate to see the shape I'm in
Broke all the rules
And you know life can be cruel
But I think it's time I learned to swim
Show me
There still can be some mystery
I haven't found
Throw me
A lifeline to the lost at sea
Don't let me drown
Show me
A way out of this misery
I haven't found
Throw me
A lifeline to the lost at sea
Don't let me drown
Don't let me drown
Don't let me drown
Don't let me drown
In Colin Hay's song Lifeline, the lyrics talk about someone struggling to cope with a broken heart, and seemingly turning to a variety of coping mechanisms to feel better, such as driving away from the city ("Get out of Hollywood, drive into the hills") and throwing away their pills. Despite their efforts to move on, the person admits that they still can't forget their past love and that life can be cruel. However, they seem to be willing to try to overcome their heartbreak by learning to "swim" and finding joy in life's mysteries. Through the use of the metaphor of a lost sailor at sea, the person is asking for help, pleading for someone to throw them a lifeline and help prevent them from drowning in their pain.
The song seems to highlight the struggle of moving on after a heartbreak and the need for support from others to make it through the difficult times. The lyrics suggest that there is hope for healing and that there can be joy in life even after heartbreak. The use of water imagery, such as filling up a bottle with water from a spring, emphasizes the importance of healing and growth, even after pain and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Get out of Hollywood
Leave the superficial lifestyle and get away from the glitz and glamour of showbiz.
Drive into the hills
Go to a secluded place where you can be at peace and away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Roll down the top
Open up and let go of your inhibitions and worries.
And just throw away your pills
Stop depending on medication to feel better and find other ways to heal yourself.
You'll never forget her
You can't erase the memories of someone you loved deeply.
So why do you even try?
Don't bother trying to erase her from your mind, learn how to cope with the hurt and pain.
Things'll get easier
Eventually, with time and effort, the pain will ease up.
As the days go creeping by
The pain will be slow to fade but it will fade nonetheless.
Broke my heart
My heart was shattered.
Saw it coming from the start
I knew it would end badly from the beginning.
I really hate to see the shape I'm in
I feel broken and lost after the end of a relationship.
Broke all the rules
I did everything I could have possibly done to make it work, but it still ended.
And you know life can be cruel
Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at you when you least expect it.
But I think it's time I learned to swim
It's time to pick myself up and learn how to navigate this new world without that person.
Show me
Help me.
There still can be some mystery
There are still things to discover and things to look forward to.
I haven't found
I still have a long way to go before I find the answers I'm looking for.
Throw me
Give me.
A lifeline to the lost at sea
Show me the way when I'm feeling lost and helpless.
Don't let me drown
Don't let me succumb to my pain and sorrow.
And if I had my way
If I could have it my way.
Tell you what I'd do
This is what I'd do.
Drive down to the lake
Go somewhere peaceful and tranquil.
Before the sky gets blue
Early in the morning, before anyone else is awake.
Fill up my bottle
Take in what nature has to offer and use it as a source of healing.
With water from the spring
Natural spring water is known to have healing properties.
Because I read somewhere that it cures everything
There are many natural remedies out there that offer health benefits.
Show me a way out of this misery
Help me find a way to feel good again.
Don't let me drown
Don't let me sink into despair.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: DENNIS HARDY FREDERIKSEN, LEON MEDICA, TONY HASELDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind