Northern lights
Death Cab for Cutie Lyrics


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I remember your silhouette on Dyes Inlet
Against the silver sheen of a moon like painted glass
Under stars out on a pier, a celestial sphere
We were weightless as the waves that disappeared

Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized
We shared a clove cigarette on the parapet
As the TVs glowed from the windows of the model homes
And I'd never be that close again to your lips and perfect skin
As the tide receded into the unknown

Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized
Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized

I remember your silhouette on Dyes Inlet

Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized




Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized

Overall Meaning

The song "Northern Lights" by Death Cab for Cutie speaks about a past love and the memories that come with it. The singer remembers a moment with their lover by Dyes Inlet, under a moon that looks like painted glass. The stars fill the sky and they both feel weightless on a pier, under a celestial sphere. The moment is fleeting, but it is filled with the magic of the northern lights. The lyrics suggest that the singer will never experience a moment quite like that again.


The verses of the song are interspersed with a repeated chorus that describes the effect of the northern lights on their surroundings. "Northern lights filled our skies, empty nights synchronized" suggests a moment where the sky is filled with the beauty of the lights while the world looks on, silent and still. The chorus serves to emphasize the enchantment of the moment that the singer remembers.


Overall, "Northern Lights" is a wistful and nostalgic song about a love that has passed. The sensation of weightlessness and wonder suggest that the memories are bittersweet but cherished. The northern lights serve as a symbol for the magic and beauty that accompanies certain moments in life.


Line by Line Meaning

I remember your silhouette on Dyes Inlet
I recall seeing an outline of your body against the backdrop of Dyes Inlet.


Against the silver sheen of a moon like painted glass
The shining silver moon resembled a piece of glass art in the sky.


Under stars out on a pier, a celestial sphere
We stood beneath the stars on a pier, feeling as if we were in a sphere floating in space.


We were weightless as the waves that disappeared
We felt light and free as the waves in the water that eventually dissipated into calmness.


Northern lights filled our skies
The Aurora Borealis painted the sky with colorful lights.


Empty nights synchronized
The nights felt empty and synced up with our loneliness.


We shared a clove cigarette on the parapet
We smoked a clove cigarette together while leaning over the protective wall of the pier.


As the TVs glowed from the windows of the model homes
The windows of the display homes had glowing TVs visible from the pier.


And I'd never be that close again to your lips and perfect skin
I knew I would never again be that intimate with your lips and flawless skin.


As the tide receded into the unknown
The tide slowly went out to sea, into the unknown and uncertain future.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Benjamin Gibbard

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

Ali

Lyrics
I remember your silhouette on Dyes Inlet
Against the silver sheen of a moon like painted glass
Under stars out on a pier; a celestial sphere
We were weightless as the waves that disappeared

Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized

We shared a clove cigarette on the parapet
As the TVs glowed from the windows of the model homes
And I'd never be that close again to your lips and perfect skin
As the tide receded into the unknown

Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized
Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized

I remember your silhouette on Dyes Inlet

Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized
Northern lights filled our skies
Empty nights synchronized



All comments from YouTube:

yee haw

You know when a song provokes a very specific feeling from a very specific part of your life

septempunctata91

when your favorite band releases a new album, and you lay on your bed and close your eyes and put it on, and the music sinks into your bones and veins and soul, and you have a complete trip caused by the music, and you open your eyes and you feel like your life just became more meaningful.

Faejewely

That sounds magical 🥰💫

Animation Memes

The what we call awe

SCOTTV

Al. Final de todo la música nos hace pensar y sentir casi igual, podemos entenderel mundo lo que compartimos en el ADN

Solitude Guard

septempunctata91 👏🏻

38 More Replies...

Luv,RhonniChan

When they performed this live in Chicago, I got stood up by my ex.
This was our favorite band. This was my birthday gift.
I cried in the rain waiting for him. My close friend came and met me for the concert instead.
Seeing Ben singing this just made me forget I got stood up. The concert was amazing. This album helped me alot
Now, I'm with a man who is always going out his way to make me happy, and he's taking me to see them again ❤

Python Programmer

Great to hear you did better. Have a great life.

Michi

This song just ... feeds my soul and heals my emotional wounds. I can't quite my finger on it. This is amazing omg

Rycou Roblox

Me too. It frees my troubled thoughts

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