1. Jonath… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least two known duos called David & Jonathan.
1. Jonathan & David were a pop duo from Bristol, United Kingdom, formed in July 1965, following the demise of Bristol's "ace harmony group", The Kestrels. David & Jonathan were in fact Roger Cook (David) and Roger Greenaway (Jonathan), who would become one of the most prolific songwriting teams of the era. Their début single as a duo came out in October 1965. By that time they had already written 'You've Got Your Troubles', a #2 hit for The Fortunes. They would eventually write eighteen U.K. Top 10 singles together.
2. David & Jonathan are David Marouani and Jonathan Bermudes from France, who formed a duo together in 1990. They made four singles (one was 'Bella Vita') and one album.
Speak Her Name
David & Jonathan Lyrics
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I've got my eyeballs on my knees.
I rapped for hours with mad Mary Williams,
She said she never understood a word from me
Because, I know that she cares about me,
I heard her call my name.
And I know that she's long, dead and gone, Still it ain't the same.
When I wake up in the morning, mama,
I heard her call my name.
I know she's dead and long, gone.
I heard her call my name.
And then I felt my mind split open.
I know that she's long, dead and gone,
Still it ain't the same.
When I wake up in the morning, mama,
I heard her call my name.
I know she's dead and long, gone.
Still, I heard her call my name.
And then my mind split open.
The lyrics of "Speak Her Name" by David & Jonathan delve into themes of longing, loss, and the enduring power of memories. The singer reflects on a profound connection with a woman named Mary Williams, who may have passed away. The opening lines suggest a sense of vulnerability and introspection, as the singer mentions being on "cripples Monday" and having their "eyeballs on [their] knees." This imagery conveys a deep emotional state and physical discomfort, hinting at a troubled mindset.
The singer recounts engaging in deep conversations with Mary Williams, expressing frustration that she never fully understood them. Despite this communication barrier, the singer believes that Mary cared for them, as evidenced by her calling their name. This suggests a strong emotional bond between the two, even if it was not always easy to communicate effectively. The repetition of "I heard her call my name" emphasizes the significance of this moment and the impact it had on the singer.
As the lyrics progress, the singer grapples with the reality of Mary's passing. They acknowledge that she is "long, dead and gone," yet they continue to hear her voice calling their name, especially when they wake up in the morning. This haunting presence of Mary in the singer's life evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia. The repetition of this experience highlights the enduring nature of memory and the lasting influence of those we have lost.
The final lines convey a powerful emotional upheaval within the singer. They describe feeling their "mind split open," suggesting a profound and overwhelming impact of Mary's memory on their psyche. Despite knowing that she is no longer alive, the singer continues to be haunted by her presence and the sound of her calling their name. This internal turmoil reflects the complexity of grief and the persistence of love and connection beyond death. Overall, the lyrics of "Speak Her Name" poignantly capture the enduring significance of a lost loved one and the powerful reverberations of the past in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever since I was on cripples Monday,
From the time when I was feeling broken and defeated,
I've got my eyeballs on my knees.
I was feeling extremely exhausted and drained.
I rapped for hours with mad Mary Williams,
I talked at length with the intense and passionate Mary Williams,
She said she never understood a word from me
She mentioned that she couldn't comprehend anything I was saying
Because, I know that she cares about me,
However, I am aware that she truly cares for me,
I heard her call my name.
I sensed her calling out to me.
And I know that she's long, dead and gone,
I understand that she has been gone for a long time,
Still it ain't the same.
But things just aren't the same.
When I wake up in the morning, mama,
Upon waking up each morning, mother,
I heard her call my name.
I could still hear her calling my name.
And then I felt my mind split open.
At that moment, my mind felt like it was breaking apart.
I know she's dead and long, gone.
I am aware that she has passed away a long time ago.
Still it ain't the same.
Yet, things have never felt the same without her.
I heard her call my name.
I continued to hear her calling out to me.
I know she's dead and long, gone.
I am fully conscious that she has been deceased for a while now.
Still, I heard her call my name.
Nevertheless, her voice still resonated in my ears.
And then my mind split open.
Causing my thoughts to become turbulent and chaotic.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LOU REED
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind