Her playing attracted the attention of bass player Ray Brown, who brought her into touch with influential teachers and producers. At the age of seventeen, she won a scholarship from the Vancouver Jazz Festival to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After three terms she moved to Los Angeles to study with Jimmy Rowles, with whom she also began to sing. In 1990, Krall relocated to New York. She is married to British musician Elvis Costello.
Narrow Daylight
Diana Krall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?
I walked through halls of reputation
Among the infamous too
Beyond all vanity
Into a gaze to shoot you through
Is the kindness we count upon
Hidden in everyone?
I stepped out in a sunlit grove
Although deep down I wished it would rain
Washing away all the sadness and tears
That will never fall so heavily again
Is the kindness we count upon
Is hidden in everyone
I stood there in the salt spray air
Felt wind sweeping over my face
I ran up through the rocks to the old
Wooden cross
It's a place where I can find some peace
Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?
The first verse of "Narrow Daylight" describes the entrance of light into a room. However, the phrase "narrow daylight" suggests that the light is not bright, but rather limited in its reach. This may symbolize how fleeting good moments in life can be. The next line, "Shining hours were brief," reinforces this idea that happy moments can be fleeting and short-lived. The next two lines, "Winter is over / Summer is near," is an indication of a transition, both literally and metaphorically. The winter is over, and the summer is near. This transition creates a sense of hope and anticipation, as if something good is coming.
The second verse of the song takes a different tone. The singer walks through halls of reputation and deals with fame and vanity. However, she seems to be searching for something more genuine and authentic. She wonders if there is kindness in everyone, and if so, where it is hiding. The camera clinging to the common thread suggests that people focus on the superficial and common things rather than what is truly important. The last few lines of the verse "into a gaze to shoot you through" suggest that the singer is looking through the facade and trying to see into the true nature of people.
The third and final verse is more of a personal reflection. The singer stands in a sunlit grove and wishes for rain to wash away sadness and tears that will never fall heavily again. This suggests that the singer is reflecting on something that has already passed and will never come back. She then runs up to an old wooden cross to find some peace. This last line could be interpreted as a search for solace or a higher power, but ultimately provides a sense of hope.
Line by Line Meaning
Narrow daylight entered my room
The limited time I had to enjoy the good moments is now gone.
Shining hours were brief
The happy moments were fleeting and did not last long enough.
Winter is over
Difficult times have passed and now there is hope and new opportunities.
Summer is near
A new chapter is beginning, filled with warmth and potential growth.
Are we stronger than we believe?
Challenges lie ahead, but we have the strength to overcome them.
I walked through halls of reputation
I have encountered people of high regard and status.
Among the infamous too
I have also encountered people who have a negative reputation.
As the camera clings to the common thread
Despite their differences, they are all connected by a common thread.
Beyond all vanity
Despite their reputations, their true selves may be hidden beyond their outer appearances.
Into a gaze to shoot you through
Their true essence can be seen when one truly looks into their eyes.
Is the kindness we count upon
Do we have faith in the inherent goodness of people?
Hidden in everyone?
Do all people have the capacity to show kindness, even those with negative reputations?
I stepped out in a sunlit grove
I am now in a peaceful outdoor setting, surrounded by nature.
Although deep down I wished it would rain
Despite being in a beautiful setting, I still have internal sadness that needs to be cleansed.
Washing away all the sadness and tears
Rain would wash away my pain and sorrow.
That will never fall so heavily again
I hope that my sadness will never be as heavy as it is now.
I stood there in the salt spray air
I am now standing on a beach, where the air is filled with salt from the sea.
Felt wind sweeping over my face
The wind is blowing strongly and I am able to feel it on my face.
I ran up through the rocks to the old
Wooden cross
It's a place where I can find some peace
I climb up a rocky path to a wooden cross, which is a place where I can reflect and find comfort.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DIANA JEAN KRALL, ELVIS COSTELLO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@williamsecor7745
Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?
I walked through halls of reputation
Among the infamous too
As the camera clings to the common thread
Beyond all vanity
Into a gaze to shoot you through
Is the kindness we count upon
Hidden in everyone?
I stepped out in a sunlit grove
Although deep down I wished it would rain
Washing away all the sadness and tears
That will never fall so heavily again
Is the kindness we count upon
Is hidden in everyone
I stood there in the salt spray air
Felt wind sweeping over my face
I ran up through the rocks to the old
Wooden cross
It's a place where I can find some peace
Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Diana Jean Krall / Elvis Costello
@me2michelle
Lyrics:
Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?
I walked through halls of reputation
Among the infamous too
As the camera clings to the common thread
Beyond all vanity
Into a gaze to shoot you through
Is the kindness we count upon
Hidden in everyone?
I stepped out in a sunlit grove
Although deep down I wished it would rain
Washing away all the sadness and tears
That will never fall so heavily again
Is the kindness we count upon
Hidden in everyone
I stood there in the salt spray air
Felt wind sweeping over my face
I ran up through the rocks to the old
Wooden cross
It's a place where I can find some peace
Narrow daylight entered my room
Shining hours were brief
Winter is over
Summer is near
Are we stronger than we believe?
@2748unced
What can I say...This person, this voice, pure heaven!
@lifeloverlorijean
One of my all time favorite songs sung by Diana. She's an incredible musician!
@annelinder6104
From time to time I listen to this song and weep. It is truly incredibly beautiful and moving. I am a great fan of Kralls and this song is special. She is an immense talent and classy to boot. She is Canadian.!!
@jthomas5987
Shout out to all the SAD people who rely on this stuff to get through the winter! I see you and I love you!
@khoury1
This song just saved my life, thank you!!!
@DS-xy1rg
Isn't it what art is made ?
@jthomas5987
This song gets me through January and February. Thank you Diana!
@mrhoffame
Diana is such an amazing vocalist. I love how we have someone who has brought sexiness back to a female performance with CLASS! That is one thing I so miss about not having your Lena Horns and Dionne Warwicks around these days. The CLASS those ladies. The more "sexy" they showed the more you respected them because it was their class that sexy not how much skin they showed.. Diana is carrying the torch.
@lifeloverlorijean
I so agree~ She is pure class.
@zangizanga
She made me love jazz. Thank you! This is the best song ever!