Lightning
David Byrne St. Vincent Lyrics
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But it moves too quick for a picture
There's a funny lightning 'round the corner
Hiding but I'm too smart just to catch it with gloves and rubber
So I stay put right here, watching the sky for tears
Let the fools and cowboys roar to wrecks
But if I should wake up and find my home's in half
Blame nature
I guess I have to laugh
And if I should wake up and find my bed
Has moved six inches, six closer to the west
But this funny lightning I wanna invite in if I could learn how to teach it
I salt the corners of my room because, because a ghost can never be too careful
And if I should wake up and find my home's in half
Who did it?
Oh nature, I hope you have a laugh
And if I should wake up and find my bed has
Moved twelve inches, twelve closer to my god
Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more
The crack is movin' up the wall
Whip crash there's flash and I'm back to wanting more
I can't help thinking this is war
Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more
The crack is movin' up the wall
Whip crash there's flash and I'm back to wanting more
I can't help thinking this is war
David Byrne, "Lightning" by St. Vincent is a song that explores the themes of uncertainty and vulnerability. The lightning in the song represents the unpredictability of life and the forces of nature that are beyond our control. The singer knows that there is something dangerous around the corner, but she can't capture it or control it. She tries to protect herself by salting the corners of her room, but ultimately she knows that she is at the mercy of the storm.
The chorus of the song reveals that the singer is resigned to her fate. If her home is destroyed or her bed moves, she blames nature and laughs it off. She has accepted that she cannot control everything and chooses to watch the storm pass by. However, there is a hint of desire in the song. The singer wants to invite the lightning into her life, but she doesn't know how to do it. She acknowledges that there is something exciting and powerful about the storm, but it remains out of reach.
The lyrics of "Lightning" are accompanied by a driving beat and distorted guitars, adding a sense of urgency to the song. The repetition of the phrase "Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more" reinforces the idea that there is something seductive and addictive about the power of nature. Overall, "Lightning" is a thought-provoking song that speaks to our desire to control our environment and the inevitability of chaos.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a funny lightning, threatening with striking
There's an unusual lightning that is threatening to strike.
But it moves too quick for a picture
It is too fast to capture the lightning with a picture.
There's a funny lightning 'round the corner
There is an unusual lightning hiding around the corner.
Hiding but I'm too smart just to catch it with gloves and rubber
I am smart enough to know that gloves and rubber won't catch the lightning.
So I stay put right here, watching the sky for tears
I am staying here and watching the sky for rain.
Let the fools and cowboys roar to wrecks
Let foolish people cause chaos.
But if I should wake up and find my home's in half
In case I wake up and see my home destroyed.
Who is it?
Who is to blame?
Blame nature
Nature is responsible.
I guess I have to laugh
I have no choice but to laugh.
And if I should wake up and find my bed
If I wake up and see my bed shifted.
Has moved six inches, six closer to the west
It has moved six inches closer to the west.
But this funny lightning I wanna invite in if I could learn how to teach it
I want to invite this unusual lightning, if only I can teach it.
I salt the corners of my room because, because a ghost can never be too careful
I take precautions by salting the corners of my room because ghosts can be harmful.
Who did it?
Who is responsible for the damage?
Oh nature, I hope you have a laugh
Oh nature, I hope you find this amusing.
Moved twelve inches, twelve closer to my god
It has moved twelve inches closer to my god.
Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more
There is a whip-crashing sound and a flash, and I want more.
The crack is movin' up the wall
The crack is spreading on the wall.
I can't help thinking this is war
I feel like this is a war.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANNIE CLARK, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind