The Selfish Giant
Damon Albarn Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Celebrate the passing drugs
Put them on the back seat while
They're coursing in your blood

'Cause there are monsters oh
Walking down Argyle Street
Where the evening colors go (it's true)
I had a dream that you were leaving
It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on
And nothing is in your eyes

I had a dream that you were leaving
Where every atom falling in the universe
Is passing through our minds

Press yourself to me right now
Push yourself deep down now
To the dark hills I must go
Where the shadows hide
Waiting for the final call
It's coming down the line

I had a dream that you were leaving
It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on
And nothing is in your eyes

I had a dream that you were leaving
Where every atom falling in the universe
Is passing through our minds

I had a dream that you were leaving
I had a dream that you were leaving
It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on
And nothing is in your eyes

I had a dream that you were leaving
Where every atom falling in the universe
Is passing through our minds





I had a dream that you were leaving
I had a dream that you were leaving

Overall Meaning

The Selfish Giant is a song that has been interpreted in various ways by different people, but most agree that it talks about a relationship that is plagued by drug abuse and insecurity. The first verse alone indicates a person's desire to move on from drug usage, which they compare to monsters walking down Argyle Street. They set the drugs on the back seat and acknowledge that they are coursing in their blood. This could be interpreted as a sign of struggle with addiction or simply a determination to put it behind them.


The second verse delves deeper into the relationship aspect of the song, where the singer admits to having a dream that their lover was leaving. They also note that it's hard to be a lover when the TV's on and nothing is in their lover's eyes. This could suggest that the addiction has led to a deterioration of the relationship in some way. The dream, however, seems to be more metaphorical than literal as every atom falling in the universe is passing through their minds. This could be interpreted as a reference to the couple's shared experiences and memories.


The third verse is more intimate, with the singer urging their lover to press themselves to them and push themselves deep down now. The singer also acknowledges that they need to go to the dark hills where the shadows hide, waiting for the final call. This could be a metaphor for something dark within the relationship that needs to be confronted. Overall, The Selfish Giant is a song that explores the complexities of addiction and love, delving into the impact they have on one another.


Line by Line Meaning

Celebrate the passing drugs
Acknowledge and accept the temporary effects of drugs


Put them on the back seat while
Don't let drugs take control of your life


They're coursing in your blood
The effects of drugs are currently active in your body


'Cause there are monsters oh
There are dangerous and harmful influences around us


Walking down Argyle Street
Monsters can be found in ordinary and mundane places


Where the evening colors go (it's true)
Monsters exist in the same world we see every day


I had a dream that you were leaving
The fear of losing someone we love


It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on
It's difficult to communicate and connect with someone when distracted


And nothing is in your eyes
The lack of emotional connection and intimacy


Where every atom falling in the universe
The vastness and interconnectedness of all matter and energy


Is passing through our minds
Our thoughts and experiences are connected to the larger universe


Press yourself to me right now
A desire for physical and emotional closeness


Push yourself deep down now
A need to confront and address internal struggles and pain


To the dark hills I must go
The journey to find oneself and confront inner demons


Where the shadows hide
The unknown and hidden aspects of ourselves and the world around us


Waiting for the final call
The inevitability of death and the importance of making the most of our time


It's coming down the line
The certainty of death and the need to prepare for it


I had a dream that you were leaving
The fear and pain of losing someone we love


It's hard to be a lover when the TV's on
The difficulty of connecting with others when distracted and consumed by technology


And nothing is in your eyes
The lack of emotional connection and intimacy in a relationship


Where every atom falling in the universe
The interconnectedness of all things and experiences


Is passing through our minds
Our thoughts and emotions are shaped by the world around us


I had a dream that you were leaving
The fear and pain of losing someone we love


I had a dream that you were leaving
The fear and pain of losing someone we love




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAMON ALBARN, RICHARD RUSSELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions