Elephant
Damien Rice(데미안 라이스) Lyrics
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I said, this has got to stop
This has got to lie down
With someone else on top
You can keep me pinned
'Cause it's easier to tease
But you can't paint an elephant
And she may cry like a baby
And she may drive me crazy
'Cause I am lately
Lonely
So why'd you have to lie?
I take it I'm your crutch
The pillow in your pillow case
Is easier to touch
When you think you've sinned
Do you fall upon your knees?
Or just sit within your picture
You still forget the breeze
And she may rise
If I sing you down
And she may wisely
Cling to the ground
'Cause I am lately
Horny
So why would she take me horny?
What's the point of this song?
Or even singing?
You've already gone
Why am I clinging?
Well I could throw it out
And I could live without
And I could do it all for you
I could be strong
Tell me, do you want me to lie?
Because this has got to die
'Cause this has got to stop
This has got to lie down, down
With someone else on top
You can both keep me pinned
'Cause it's easier to tease
But you can't make me happy
Quite as good as me...
(you know that's a lie)
The song “Elephant” by Damien Rice tells a story of a failed relationship that has to come to an end. The opening lines signify a finality and a desire to move on from the relationship that has been going on. The lyrics continue to convey that the singer feels trapped and being used as a crutch by the other person. The line “You can keep me pinned 'Cause it's easier to tease” indicates that the other person is using them only for physical pleasure without any emotional attachment.
The lines “And she may cry like a baby And she may drive me crazy 'Cause I am lately Lonely” depict that the relationship neither has attain nor will lead to any emotional connection. The emotional isolation of the singer is reiterated in the line, “So why'd you have to lie? I take it I'm your crutch The pillow in your pillow case Is easier to touch”. The following lines about the wind and the elephant illustrate that there is some distance between them as he can’t even paint the elephant as good as “she” can, showing that she has left a significant void in his life.
Towards the end of the song, the singer is torn between wanting to move on and still feeling attached to the other person. In the lines, “What's the point of this song? Or even singing? You've already gone Why am I clinging?” they question the purpose of the song, why he is singing, and why he is still clinging on something that has already passed. The song concludes with a powerful declaration that despite the other person’s attempts to pin him down, they can’t bring him joy as good as he can.
Line by Line Meaning
Well. this has got to die
I cannot continue this any longer
I said, this has got to stop
I have decided to stop this
This has got to lie down
We need to end this
With someone else on top
We should move on and let others have their turn
You can keep me pinned
You have control over me
'Cause it's easier to tease
You enjoy playing with me
But you can't paint an elephant
You cannot create something as beautiful as the person I am thinking of
Quite as good as she
She is truly unique and irreplaceable
And she may cry like a baby
She might be vulnerable or emotional
And she may drive me crazy
She might frustrate me
'Cause I am lately Lonely
I have been feeling lonely recently
So why'd you have to lie?
Why did you have to deceive me?
I take it I'm your crutch
I believe you rely on me too much
The pillow in your pillow case
I am a comfort to you
Is easier to touch
I am more accessible and convenient than the person you want to be with
When you think you've sinned
When you feel guilty about something you've done
Do you fall upon your knees?
Do you pray for forgiveness?
Or just sit within your picture
Do you get lost in your own thoughts?
You still forget the breeze
You are too caught up in your own world to appreciate the beauty around you
And she may rise
The person I am thinking of might come out on top
If I sing you down
If I bring you down
And she may wisely
She might make the right choice
Cling to the ground
Stay grounded and not be swayed by emotions
'Cause I am lately Horny
I have been sexually frustrated lately
So why would she take me horny?
Why would she want someone who is only interested in sex?
What's the point of this song?
What is the purpose of me singing this song?
Or even singing?
Why bother singing this at all?
You've already gone
You have already left
Why am I clinging?
Why am I still holding on?
Well I could throw it out
I could let go of this situation
And I could live without
I could survive without you
And I could do it all for you
I could sacrifice for you
I could be strong
I could be resilient and move on
Tell me, do you want me to lie?
Do you want me to pretend everything is okay?
Because this has got to die
We need to end this
This has got to stop
We need to stop this
This has got to lie down, down
We need to put an end to this
With someone else on top
We should let someone else have a chance to enjoy life
You can both keep me pinned
You both have control over me
But you can't make me happy
You cannot genuinely make me happy
Quite as good as me... (you know that's a lie)
As much as you don't want to admit it, I know that I can bring myself more happiness than you ever could
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAMIEN GEORGE RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dokuhuynh7883
How much pain has this man suffered to sing like this?
I mean, he uses his pain and his voice to paint a picture of sadness and sorrow and i can see it with my eyes and feel it in my skin.
Just brilliant.
@zvejkal2
This guitar has great sound.
And this guitar player has great fingers.
And this singer has great voice.
And this artist has great soul.
@OlafDuits
Oh my God, he killed me. This was already one of my favourites of him, but this version is so real. Amazing. Damien is a legend!
@xX9Lizzy9Xx
This is my favourite song ever. I actually cannot believe how amazing it is; how much emotion he portrays through his voice alone. What I love about this is that it's so raw and this song is all about his voice.... that's what a true musician is. Someone who can be amazing without any editing or too many instruments drowning out their voice. This is just as amazing live as the recorded version is, but actually seeing him when he sings it is just phenomenal.
@macfan545
There's no other singer that can touch my soul quite as good as he
@Rheinmeister09
He's just one of the very best artists our little old country has ever produced!!!! Now if I could have only gotten my hands on a ticket for any one of the 5 sold out concerts here in NYC.
@greggdallas
Love how damien sings thge words as if hes at heavens gates and he has one last chance to say what he really feels,...absolutely amazing vocal performance!!!!
@rafaelferreira07
muito bom ,,,,realmente o Damien coloca seu coração nos versos e em cada palavra cantada
@carolep6912
Cette version m'a profondément ému. Il la chante avec tant d'intensité que ça en est bouleversant.
Absolument magnifique.
@annietk
he gives me chills, so much emotion - absolutely one of a kind