Made Up My Mind
David Gray Lyrics


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Lightening strikes, silver motorbikes
Roaring down the open road, wind on my skin
I'm hungry to begin, my cup has overflown

So let fall the rain down into these desert veins
Taking back what they stole
These diamonds in the mine
Can afford to become fine
In someone else's pigeon hole

So I made up my mind
Made up my mind
Gonna move on ahead
Instead of lagging behind

Half past seven way up in the heaven
The stars are singing in the sky
Lying half dressed, your head upon my breast
Listening to the ocean's lullaby

Standing where we are, it seems so far
From the cold light of day
With the faces full of grief,
And the grinding up of teeth
Has been eating my belief away

So I made up my mind
I made up my mind
Gonna move on ahead
Instead of lagging behind
Instead of lagging now..

Cracks in the veneer and the light so severe
Shining down the avenue
Try to join the throng
But it's feeling all wrong
What are you supposed to do

Shoulder that despair take a lung of dirty air
Turn to watch the sun set red
And the ruins of a culture
Of a sky that's filled with vultures
Circling over your head

So I made up my mind
I made up my mind
Gonna move on ahead
Instead of lagging behind
Instead of lagging behind





I made up my mind.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of David Gray's "Made Up My Mind" delve into the themes of moving forward and letting go of the past. The opening lines, "Lightening strikes, silver motorbikes, roaring down the open road, wind on my skin" evoke an image of speed and freedom. This sense of freedom is perhaps a metaphor for the liberation from a previous mental state, as the singer expresses that they are "hungry to begin" and their "cup has overflown". The next lines, "So let fall the rain down into these desert veins, taking back what they stole" suggest a cathartic release from pain or other negative emotions.


The singer also turns their focus to material possessions, "diamonds in the mine can afford to become fine in someone else's pigeon hole". This can be interpreted as a critique of societal norms or the pressure to conform. The next verse sees the singer in a moment of peace, as they lie with their lover listening to the ocean. However, this tranquillity is contrasted with the harsh realities of the world in the following lines, as the singer notes the "faces full of grief" and their own diminishing faith.


The final lines serve as a conclusion, cementing the central message of the song as the singer reiterates that they have "made up their mind" to move forward rather than stagnating in their current mental state. The metaphorical imagery throughout the lyrics and the contrast between peace and chaos creates a depth and complexity to the themes explored.


Line by Line Meaning

Lightening strikes, silver motorbikes
A visualization of a thrilling, adventurous journey with the imagery of lightening strikes and silver motorbikes


Roaring down the open road, wind on my skin
An inspiring portrayal of freedom and excitement, relishing the feeling of wind blowing past on an open road directionless to a destination


I'm hungry to begin, my cup has overflown
The eagerness to start a new journey, an excitement that cannot be contained


So let fall the rain down into these desert veins
A sense of catharsis, letting go of negative emotions, as rain pours down and washes away the desert's sand


Taking back what they stole
Retrieving something that was lost or taken away from you


These diamonds in the mine
An allusion to something precious, valued, and worth taking risk for


Can afford to become fine
Possibilities of a better, more resonating impact if done precisely even if it takes time


In someone else's pigeon hole
The futility of fitting in someone else's definition of success or happiness


So I made up my mind
The resolve and firm decision to move forward and make changes for the betterment of oneself


Gonna move on ahead
Eager to advance, grow and learn more realizations


Instead of lagging behind
Choosing to let go of wasteful opportunities or ideas to move closer to the defined objectives


Half past seven way up in the heaven
An abstract allusion to the transitory element of time passing by, difficult to hold or hold on to


The stars are singing in the sky
Imagery of an ethereal, heavenly essence where stars amuse or surprise us with their fleeting glow


Lying half dressed, your head upon my breast
An intimate moment of love's security, affection and dependability


Listening to the ocean's lullaby
The calming sound of the ocean waves, which evokes a sense of rest and tranquility


Standing where we are, it seems so far
Anticipation of a daunting challenge, doubt that if it will work out because of the perceived distance from the goal or objective


From the cold light of day
The harsh reality; the beginning to face it full of confidence and based on the decision you made


With the faces full of grief,
An image shrouded in sorrow, with faces marked by emotional pain


And the grinding up of teeth
A reflection of anxiety or stress, symbolized by the act of grinding teeth


Has been eating my belief away
Doubt that has weighed in the mind, destroying confidence and erasing self-belief


Cracks in the veneer and the light so severe
Figuratively, small imperfections or uncertainties that threaten to expose the truth, the apparent and straightforward light which would reveal these flaws


Shining down the avenue
The shining light that exposes everything exposed to it, like an avenue or road, that directs and focuses light into the path where it illuminates the way forward.


Try to join the throng
Trying to conform, fits into the so-called 'normal' part of society's standards and expectations'


But it's feeling all wrong
The difficulty in conforming, focusing too much on fitting in with everyone else and not enough on what really matters


What are you supposed to do
The question that comes to mind when the path is uncertain, and your mind will steer you in the right direction


Shoulder that despair take a lung of dirty air
Braving through despair, accepting the negative emotions, and inhaling contaminated air signifies the act of taking up the pain to move forward


Turn to watch the sun set red
The simple but remarkable act of observing a sunset, which symbolizes the end of one chapter and marks the beginning of another


And the ruins of a culture
A metaphor of the prevailing mentality and belief system that surrounds an individual, which has implications on their thoughts and behavior.


Of a sky that's filled with vultures
An image of foul, cynical environment with character accompanied by people who are opportunistic and preying for their own benefit.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Gray

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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