Nightblindness
David Gray Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

A million to one outsiders
Night blindness
Can't see

Your bright eyes are what
The time is
Twenty-five past eternity



Here listening
To the silence
Coming closer
Now further away

What we gonna do
When the money runs out?
I wish that there was something left to say
Where we going to find the eyes to see
The bright of day?

I'm sick of all the same romances
Lost chances
Cold stone

Propping mountains up
On matchsticks
Dragging baskets
Full of bones

Honey please don't stop
Your talking
'Cause there's a feeling
Won't leave me alone

What we gonna do
When the money runs out?
I wish that there was something I could say
How we going to find the eyes to see
The bright of day?

What we gonna do
When the money runs out?
I wish that there was something left to say
How we going to find the eyes to see
The bright of day?

The bright of day


The bright of day

Overall Meaning

The song "Nightblindness" by David Gray is a melancholic reflection on the limitations of human perception and the transience of life. The lyrics refer to the feeling of being an outsider, isolated from the rest of the world, and struggling to see the beauty and joy that surrounds us. The line "A million to one outsiders" suggests a sense of statistical improbability, as if the narrator feels that their experiences are so unusual that they are unlikely to be understood or shared by others.


The theme of blindness is further developed through the phrase "night blindness," which refers to a condition where a person is unable to see in low-light conditions. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the narrator's emotional state, as they feel unable to perceive the subtle nuances of life that make it worth living. The line "Can't see" reinforces this idea, suggesting a sense of frustration and resignation.


The chorus of the song asks a series of rhetorical questions about what we will do when the money runs out and how we will find the "eyes to see the bright of day." This could be interpreted as a commentary on the materialistic nature of modern society, where people are constantly striving for more money and possessions, rather than focusing on the things that really matter.


Overall, "Nightblindness" is a haunting and evocative song that captures the sense of ennui and alienation that can often accompany modern life.


Line by Line Meaning

A million to one outsiders
We feel like complete outcasts with very little chance of belonging to anything or anyone.


Night blindness
We are incapable of seeing the beauty of the world around us during nighttime.


Can't see
We are unable to perceive the world in a positive light due to our negative outlook.


Your bright eyes are what
Your beautiful gaze is what draws us in and makes us feel alive.


The time is
We feel like we are trapped in a perpetual state of limbo with no clear direction.


Twenty-five past eternity
We feel like time has lost all meaning and we are stuck in a never-ending cycle of hopelessness.


Here listening
We are trying our best to stay present and listen, despite feeling numb to the world.


To the silence
We are surrounded by an unnerving silence that amplifies our feelings of isolation.


Coming closer
Our negative thoughts and emotions seem to be closing in on us and suffocating us.


Now further away
Despite feeling like we are drowning in our negative emotions, we are simultaneously pushing them away.


What we gonna do
We are unsure of how to move forward and proceed in our current situation.


When the money runs out?
We are worried about our financial situation and how it will impact our future.


I wish that there was something left to say
We yearn for some kind of meaningful communication or advice to help us through our struggles.


Where we going to find the eyes to see
We are searching for a new perspective to help us see the beauty of the world around us.


The bright of day?
We are longing for the hope and optimism that comes with a bright new day.


I'm sick of all the same romances
We are tired of engaging in superficial relationships that never seem to fulfill us.


Lost chances
We regret not taking more opportunities to better our lives and make positive changes.


Cold stone
We feel like our hearts have turned to cold stone and are incapable of feeling warmth or love.


Propping mountains up
We are trying to bear the weight of our struggles, which feel as heavy as mountains.


On matchsticks
We are trying to support ourselves with limited resources and feel like we are about to crumble at any moment.


Dragging baskets
We are carrying the heavy burden of our past struggles with us wherever we go.


Full of bones
Our past struggles leave us feeling drained and empty, like a basket filled with nothing but bones.


Honey please don't stop
We are clinging to any form of affection or connection amidst our struggles.


Your talking
We need to hear your voice to feel alive and validated amidst our struggles.


'Cause there's a feeling
We cannot shake off our negative emotions and they are overwhelming us.


Won't leave me alone
Our negative emotions feel inescapable and we cannot rid ourselves of them.


The bright of day
We are longing for the hope and optimism that comes with a bright new day.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID GRAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

BMindfulofLove

A million to one outsiders
Night blindness can't see
Your bright eyes are what
The time is twenty five past eternity
Here listenin' to the sorrow
Comin' closer now further awayWhat we gonna do?
When the money runs out
I wish that there was somethin' left to say
Where we goin' to find the eyes to see
A brighter day?

I'm sick of all the same romances
Lost chances, cold storms
Proppin' mountains up on matchsticks
Draggin' baskets full of bones
Honey, please don't stop your talkin'
'Cause there's a feeling, won't leave me aloneWhat we gonna do?
When the money runs out
I wish that there was somethin' I could say
How we goin' to find the eyes to see
A brighter day?

What we gonna do?
When the money runs out
I wish that there was somethin' left to say
How we goin' to find the eyes to see
A brighter day?



All comments from YouTube:

MogwaiYT

Always thought this was a standout on White Ladder. What a great album, gets better with each passing year.

Brody Jackets 2

I can't listen to this song without tears coming to my eyes. It's weird because It didn't make me cry when I first heard it but it does now. such a beautiful song though.

Christine Chapman

It's that last bit of music when song is closing,that gets me everytime

Theresa Campbell

goose bumps

StokerIBL

This song will break you down but the structure of the album it lifts you back up, if you listen to the album as one piece youโ€™ll see what I mean. who ever sequenced the tracks did a first class job

John Williams

That's pretty profound, Brody.
And I'm totally with you, fella. ๐Ÿ˜ช๐Ÿ™

John Williams

I've adored this song for 20 years. Like I adore all of David's work.
This song, though. It's so very vulnerable and steeped in something that I find particularly, heartbreaking. ๐Ÿ’”
I especially love the segment @ 3:03 when that particular piece of organ music kicks in. I must be the only person on the planet, who is reminded by the Amish barn building scene which uses similar organ music in the '85 film 'Witness' starring Harrison Ford.
I guess Nightblindness cannot exactly be described as an 'uplifting' song of David's, unlike the Witness scene which is its opposite, but I do find both strangely emotional in ways I can't really describe. I dunno.
Just sayin'.
And no, I'm not entirely, mad! ๐Ÿ˜œ

John Williams

@Christine Chapman โค

Christine Chapman

I love the closing music of this song,it's absolutely brilliant and makes me cry everytime

haywood652

This guy is one in a million! His music speaks directly to your soul!

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