Clearly Quite Absurd
Deep Purple Lyrics


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After all we said today
The strangest thought occurred
I feel I ought to tell you
But it's clearly quite absurd

Wouldn't it be wonderful
If you could read my mind
Imagine all the stuff
That we could leave behind

How many words you waste
Before you're understood
Or simply sow some seeds
You'd do it if you could

Let me take a moment
Of your time
Inside you mind

I know what you're thinking
But I don't know what to say
The turmoil and the conflict
You don't have to feel that way

Look into my eyes
And feel my hand upon your heart
Holding us together
Not tearing us apart

How many words we waste
To justify a crime
Compare it to an act of love
That really takes no time

Why not take a moment




Of your time
Inside your mind

Overall Meaning

The song Clearly Quite Absurd by Deep Purple is a contemplative ballad that explores the idea of communication and how it can often be complicated and misunderstood. The opening lines of the song express this sentiment clearly, as the singer muses on the idea that even though they have spoken at length with someone close to them, they still feel like they have something to say that may come across as absurd. This idea of the disconnect between what we think and how we express ourselves is then expanded upon in the chorus, where the singer wonders what it would be like if we could all read each other's minds, thus eliminating the need for verbal communication altogether. The second verse delves deeper into this idea, as the singer reflects on the different ways we try to get our point across, whether it be through excessive talking or indirect actions like sowing seeds.


The middle section of the song takes a more personal turn, with the singer reaching out to someone who is clearly struggling with some kind of inner turmoil. The lyrics are poetic in nature, with the singer urging their subject to look into their eyes and feel their touch, as a way of connecting on a deeper level. The final verse serves as a kind of conclusion to the song's themes, as the singer suggests that we should all slow down and take a moment to reflect on our own thoughts and feelings before trying to communicate them to others. By doing this, we may be able to bridge the gap between what we mean to say and what is actually heard.


Line by Line Meaning

After all we said today
After our conversation today


The strangest thought occurred
An unexpected idea came to mind


I feel I ought to tell you
I feel compelled to share it with you


But it's clearly quite absurd
But it seems ridiculous or impossible


Wouldn't it be wonderful
Wouldn't it be great or ideal


If you could read my mind
If you could understand my thoughts without me speaking


Imagine all the stuff
Think about all the things


That we could leave behind
That we could forget or move on from


How many words you waste
How much time and energy you spend talking


Before you're understood
Before others comprehend or relate to what you're saying


Or simply sow some seeds
Or just plant an idea or suggestion


You'd do it if you could
You would if you were able


Let me take a moment
Allow me to have your attention briefly


Of your time
Of your valuable attention


Inside your mind
Within your thoughts or perspective


I know what you're thinking
I understand or sense your thoughts


But I don't know what to say
But I'm unsure of how to respond


The turmoil and the conflict
The inner turmoil or tension


You don't have to feel that way
You don't have to continue feeling that way


Look into my eyes
Make eye contact with me


And feel my hand upon your heart
And sense the warmth or comfort from my touch


Holding us together
Keeping our connection strong and positive


Not tearing us apart
Not breaking us apart or causing harm


How many words we waste
How much communication we waste on negative things


To justify a crime
To rationalize or excuse a wrongdoing


Compare it to an act of love
Compare it to a positive act or gesture


That really takes no time
That is simple and quick to do


Why not take a moment
Why not take a brief amount of time


Of your time
Of your attention


Inside your mind
Within your thoughts and feelings




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Don Airey, Ian Gillan, Ian Anderson Paice, Roger David Glover, Steven J. Morse

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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