Red
Daniel Merriweather Lyrics


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And I'm alright
Standing in the streetlights here
Is this meant for me
My time on the outside is over
We don't know how you're spending
All of your days
Knowing that love isn't here
You see the pictures
But you don't know their names no
Cause love isn't here

And I can't do this by myself
All of these problems, they're all in your head
And I can't be somebody else
You took something perfect
And painted it red

No sympathy
When shouting out is all you know
Behind your lies
I can see the secrets you don't show
We don't know how you're spending
All of your days
Knowing that love isn't here
You see the pictures
But you don't know their names no
Cause love isn't here

And I can't do this by myself
All of these problems, they're all in your head
And I can't be somebody else
You took something perfect
And painted it red
When, you took something perfect
And painted it red

You take the best things from
Then everything gets empty
That's not a world that I need
Ooh, you take the best things from me
Then everything gets empty
That's not a world that I need
Oh

And I can't do this by myself
All of these problems, they're all in your head
And I can't be somebody else
You took something perfect
And painted it red
When, you took something perfect
And painted it red
When, you took something perfect and painted it red




You took something perfect
And painted it red

Overall Meaning

In "Red" by Daniel Merriweather, the singer realizes that love is not present in their life anymore. They are standing in the streetlights, wondering if this is meant for them. They feel it's time to move on from their life on the outside. The singer can see the pictures, but they don't know the names of the people in the frames since love isn't there anymore. The singer can't handle the problems of their partner, who seems to be living in their own head. The partner has taken something perfect (the relationship) and painted it red, which is a metaphor for making it imperfect or damaged.


In the next few lines, the song speaks to the partner who has taken something perfect and made it red. The singer has no sympathy since shouting is all they know. The partner has secrets that are visible to the singer, but they choose not to reveal them. The singer admits they don't understand how the partner spends their time since love isn't there. The chorus repeats how the partner has taken something perfect and painted it red, and the singer can't do this alone or be someone else.


The final verse includes the line, "You take the best things from me, then everything gets empty, that's not a world that I need." The singer is tired of having their best things taken from them and their life getting emptied. They don't want to live in a world like that.


Line by Line Meaning

And I'm alright
Despite the circumstances or the situation, I am at peace


Standing in the streetlights here
I am exposed and isolated, standing in plain view of everyone


Is this meant for me
I wonder whether the coming events are particularly directed at me.


My time on the outside is over
I've been excluded for long enough, but now I'm coming back


We don't know how you're spending All of your days
It's not clear how you are spending your time during the day


Knowing that love isn't here
The absence of love is clear and undeniable


You see the pictures, But you don't know their names no
You recognize the people's faces but can't recall their names because of the disconnection caused by the lack of love


Cause love isn't here
Affection and love are not present


And I can't do this by myself
I cannot go through this alone; I need help


All of these problems, they're all in your head
All your problems are due to your way of thinking


And I can't be somebody else
I can only be me, not someone else


You took something perfect And painted it red
You ruined something good or perfect


No sympathy
There's no compassion or understanding


When shouting out is all you know
You resort to screaming and yelling when you can’t express yourself rationally


Behind your lies
Even though you're deceiving, I can still sense your hidden truth


I can see the secrets you don't show
I can discern the things you're hiding from me


You take the best things from
You only take the good things from people or situations, leaving nothing behind


Then everything gets empty
Once you're done having what you wanted, everything becomes meaningless


That's not a world that I need
That world doesn't suit me, I need something else


Oh
A vocalization that adds emphasis to the previous statement


When, you took something perfect And painted it red
Again, you've destroyed something great


You took something perfect And painted it red
You once again ruined something good




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ian Dench, Amanda Ghost, Scott Mcfarnon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Tenderslide1

And I'm alright standing in the streetlights here
Is this meant for me? My time on the outside is over
We don't know how you're spending all of your days
Knowing that love isn't here
You see the pictures but you don't know their names
'Cause love isn't here
And I can't do this by myself
All of these problems, they're all in your head
And I can't be somebody else
You took something perfect and painted it red
No sympathy when shouting out is all you know
Behind your lies I can see the secrets you don't show
We don't know how you're spending all of your days
Knowing that love isn't here
You see the pictures but you don't know their names
'Cause love isn't here
And I can't do this by myself
All of these problems, they're all in your head
And I can't be somebody else
You took something perfect and painted it red
When you took something perfect and painted it red
You take the best things from me
Then everything gets empty
That's not a world that I need, oh
You take the best things from me
Then everything gets empty
That's not a world that I need, oh, ooh, ooh
And I can't do this by myself
All of these problems, they're all in your head
And I can't be somebody else
You took something perfect and painted it red
When you took something perfect and painted it red
When you took something perfect and painted it red
You took something perfect and painted it red



All comments from YouTube:

Ross Nicholls

This song hits differently when you direct the lyrics inwards. If you've ever struggled from mental health, you will know ❤

Emm

I just did that and omg 😢

Brendan Sweeney

Wow never thought of that, but yes 🤯

The Editor

Underrated song, thought of him today and just wanted to hear his voice again. I hope he makes more new music.

Kirsty Reddish

His voice is unreal!!! 2022 and back listening to masterpieces like this 👌

Denise J

I've always though there's something very Stevie Wonder-ish about his voice and performance.

the boys fan

He should be more appreciated, this song is incredible 👏

Vinny

I hope everyone involved in making this song are still doing well from it because they deserve it. So underrated

Deidra

Extremely underrated!

Alycia Martin

Yes exactly this has been a fave of mine since 2010

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