Nature Boy
David Bowie; Massive Attack Lyrics
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The woman I loved is dead
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far
Very far over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise, was he
And then one day
One magic day, he passed my way
While we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved
In return
The song "Nature Boy" by Massive Attack is a beautiful melancholic ballad about love and loss. The opening lines "This story is about love / The woman I loved is dead" set the tone for the rest of the song, which reflects on a romance that has ended in tragedy. The lyrics then shift to describe a mysterious and otherworldly boy who wanders far and wide, possessed of a wisdom beyond his years. The singer meets this boy and they have a conversation about many things, including the nature of love. The song's chorus, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn / Is just to love and be loved in return," encapsulates the message of the song: that love is the most important thing in life, and that it is worth pursuing even if it ultimately ends in heartbreak.
The lyrics of "Nature Boy" are hauntingly beautiful and open to interpretation, but one common reading is that the singer is mourning the loss of a past love and seeking solace in the wisdom of the strange and magical boy. The song could be seen as a meditation on the power of love to transform us and give our lives meaning, even in the face of death and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
This story is about love
The story being told is centered around the idea of love
The woman I loved is dead
The person telling the story has lost the woman they loved
There was a boy
The story begins by introducing a male character
A very strange enchanted boy
The boy is described as being odd and magical
They say he wandered very far
Rumors exist that the boy traveled a great distance
Very far over land and sea
The boy's alleged travels took him over both land and water
A little shy and sad of eye
Despite his extraordinary nature, the boy was somewhat introverted and melancholy
But very wise, was he
Despite his young age and demeanor, the boy was wise
And then one day
At some point in the past, something happened to the boy
One magic day, he passed my way
The artist had a chance encounter with the boy, which was seemingly magical
While we spoke of many things
During their conversation, the singer and the boy covered a variety of topics
Fools and kings
The specific content of their conversation included discussions of people of various social statuses
This he said to me
At some point in the conversation, the boy expressed a particular idea to the singer
The greatest thing
The idea the boy conveyed to the singer is seen as being of great importance
You'll ever learn
The idea the boy conveyed has to do with learning something important
Is just to love
The important thing the boy conveyed has to do with the concept of loving others
And be loved
In addition to loving others, the boy stressed the importance of being loved as well
In return
The final part of the boy's message had to do with how love should be reciprocated
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paredel89
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
@paredel89
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
@alexandracoirier3778
Bowie was full of love, his love still radiates!
@ReshonBryant
👻
@AMBERSKYS1
he was the sexiest senior citizen ever! he'll never be forgotten.
@hisashivalentine
Even though this is a cover song - his version is so eerie but beautiful. So heartbreaking to listen to it.
@wewatchmovies4446
Yeah bro, it's music at its height
@randomlight1069
Bowie recorded two versions. One "orchestral" the one, which which can be heard in some scenes in Moulin Rouge. And this one which was slotted for the end credits. Due it's beings so "dark" the films director Baz Luhrmann pulled it saying "it was so dark that we needed to resurrect the audience during the end credits." I prefer this one, for what it's worth.
@dwesdwes5633
Back in the 1950's my father used to sing this song to me when i was a little child. He of course was familiar with the Nat "King" Cole version of it, and never heard Bowie sing it.
@kzinful
Oh my, I never knew of this collaboration.
Even more respect for the genius that is Massive Attack, they have always exhibited that special talent of finding artists and the right song for them as is shown here.
Poignant now with Davids passing but this song is so right for his interpretation, isn't it?
And in the end, the love you take is..
Peace
@patrom0406
equal to the love you take ;)