Bittersweet
David Crosby & Graham Nash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the other side, love dangles by a thread
And here is a climber who cannot find his eyes
And a falling woman wishing she was dead
Both sides, why is it always bittersweet?
and the broken cloudy days
when I need the sun's heat
I need the heat, oh both way
Why is it always bittersweet
And the broken cloudy days
When I need the sun's heat
Oh, I need the heat
Why, why is it bittersweet?
And the broken cloudy days
Is when I need the sun's heat
I need the heat
The lyrics to David Crosby & Graham Nash's “Bittersweet” explore the dichotomy between truth and love, and the inherent difficulty in balancing both. The first verse presents the image of truth towering like a cliff on one side and love dangling by a thread on the other. The climbing or reaching for truth is shown as daunting, while love is delicate and fragile, represented by a thread that can easily be severed. The second verse delves deeper into the emotional struggle of these two opposing forces, with a climber who is unable to see clearly and a woman who wishes for death while falling.
Ultimately, the chorus repeats the question, “Why is it always bittersweet?” and laments the broken and cloudy days when the sun’s heat is needed. The bittersweetness referred to is likely the struggle to balance truth and love in life, and the sadness and difficulty that often comes with it. The song expresses a longing for warmth and sunshine to alleviate the difficulties of this struggle, but acknowledges that it may not always be possible to find that warmth.
Overall, “Bittersweet” is a poignant exploration of the challenges inherent in balancing truth and love. The physical imagery of climbing and falling, as well as the longing for warmth, add depth to the emotional exploration of these themes.
Line by Line Meaning
On the one side, truth towers like a cliff
The truth is a firm and unshakable foundation that seems unreachable and distant like a towering cliff
On the other side, love dangles by a thread
Love is fragile and precarious, hanging by a thin thread that could snap at any moment
And here is a climber who cannot find his eyes
A person who is lost and confused, unable to see clearly and find their way
And a falling woman wishing she was dead
A woman who is descending into despair and darkness, wishing for relief from her suffering
Both sides, why is it always bittersweet?
Despite the stark contrast between truth and love, both bring a sense of joy and pain, leaving a bittersweet feeling
And the broken cloudy days
Days filled with sadness and uncertainty that leave one feeling lost and alone
When I need the sun's heat
In times of darkness and sadness, we need the warmth and comfort of the sun to provide hope and light
I need the heat, oh both way
We need the warmth of hope and love to ignite our spirit and guide us through both the good and bad times
Why is it always bittersweet
Despite the beauty and pain of life, we are left with a sense of melancholy and longing for something more
And the broken cloudy days
In times of darkness and despair, we are left feeling lost and confused
When I need the sun's heat
In these moments, we crave the warmth and light of hope and positivity to guide us forward
Oh, I need the heat
We need the comfort and guidance of positivity and love to navigate the complexities of life
Why, why is it bittersweet?
Despite the joys and struggles of life, we are constantly left with a sense of ambivalence and conflicting emotions
And the broken cloudy days
In times of sadness and darkness, we are left feeling lost and without direction
Is when I need the sun's heat
In these moments, we crave the warmth and light of hope and positivity to guide us through the darkness
I need the heat
We need the warmth and light of positivity and love to help us navigate the complexities of life with strength and resilience
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MrBobo-zk6iq
Thank you for saving my life. Rest in peace, David. ❤
@bl6904
Rest in peace David, you lived so beautifully
@KingsofCfan
One of David’s very best. So glad we have all these recorded memories.
@mannyruiz1954
The music these two produced is sublime.
@philliphiller9534
Love them so much,from an old cowboy in arizona,
@bubblegum1948
This is derived straight from the Soul. there's no other way music like this could ever be made, if not for this.
Utter beauty
@ericmattson1420
The man has spiritual guitar mastery. The human race needs this SO SO MUCH.
@lexp48
Indelible stuff, resonates in the soul and never really leaves you, like an old friend, always there when you need them.
@sentimentaljourneyproductions
chills the bones and warms the heart and always brought tears to my eyes...
@IndieHaj
Rest in Peace David. ❤