The Cedar Room
Doves Lyrics
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Sleep clouds my view
Don't let them come round here
And call to you
I didn't notice
It's a crime too few
I didn't notice
It's a crime to feel
And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I'll be a shadow
In the cedar room
And leave just a memory
Alone with you
I didn't see that
It's a call too soon
I couldn't see that
It's a call to you
And I tried to sleep alone
But I couldn't do it
You could be sitting next to me
And I wouldn't know it
If I told you you were wrong
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
I don't remember saying
The Cedar Room by Doves is a song that manages to capture the essence of post-punk with its melancholic lyrics and dense atmosphere. The lyrics describe a sense of detachment and estrangement, as the singer finds himself unable to connect with the world around him. The stars leave the morning, sleep clouds his view, and he tries to shut out the outside world by not letting them come around and call to him. It is a crime to feel, and he didn't notice it until it was too late.
The chorus depicts the singer's loneliness and inability to connect with others. He tries to sleep alone but cannot do it, even when someone is sitting next to him. The repetition of "I don't remember saying" adds to the sense of detachment, suggesting that the singer is so disconnected from the world around him that he does not even remember what he has said or done.
The song's title refers to The Cedar Room, a club in Manchester where the band used to play. The club was known for its live music and underground scene, and it is clear that Doves had a deep connection to this place. The song captures the feeling of being lost in a crowded room, and the need to retreat and find solace in one's thoughts.
Line by Line Meaning
Stars leave the morning
The stars disappear as the day begins, signifying the end of something.
Sleep clouds my view
The state of sleep makes it hard to see things that are going on around someone.
Don't let them come round here
The singer is protective and doesn't want any harm to come to someone they care about.
And call to you
Calling out to someone in a distressing situation.
I didn't notice
The artist acknowledges that they missed an important detail or clue.
It's a crime too few
The singer acknowledges the severity of the situation and regrets not noticing sooner.
It's a crime to feel
The singer is expressing a sense of guilt or responsibility for the situation.
And I tried to sleep alone
The artist was struggling with loneliness and isolation.
But I couldn't do it
They were unable to handle the feelings on their own.
You could be sitting next to me
The artist feels disconnected from the rest of the world and people around them.
And I wouldn't know it
They are so deep in their own thoughts and feelings that they would not even recognize the presence of others.
If I told you you were wrong
The artist is acknowledging that they have done something incorrect but may not know how to fix it.
I don't remember saying
The singer cannot recall exactly what they said or did in a certain situation.
I'll be a shadow
The singer feels insignificant or unimportant in a given situation.
In the cedar room
Referring to a specific location that has meaning to the singer and likely the content of the song.
And leave just a memory
The artist knows they will not be remembered in this specific situation or by this specific person.
Alone with you
Even though they are physically with someone, they still feel alone in their own thoughts and emotions.
I didn't see that
Similar to the earlier line, the singer acknowledges that they missed something important.
It's a call too soon
The singer was not ready for something to happen or was not given enough time to process things.
I couldn't see that
The artist recognizes their inability to perceive a situation properly.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDY WILLIAMS, JEZ WILLIAMS, JIMI GOODWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jowa98
I love this song ... I remember when I first heard it at a party and I was in the hallway of this house and it stopped me in my tracks as I had a euphoric moment and a girl walked out from a room and approached me and said “ oh it got you too” and that girl is now the love of my life ... I live for these moments with music
@mpower2988
Awesome!
@johnbinns7573
@M Power I`m there with every word you said
@LemonCurry201
Powerful
@nikkawej2.028
Good music brings good people together ❤
@martinmcmcdonald4783
Beautiful
@dougtull4594
This kind of song burrows into your brain and never lets go. Shimmering, silky, and memorable. This is on par with The Verve, Catherine Wheel, and Echo & The Bunnymen.
@Potnoodle1978
Easily the best British band of the late 90s/2000s
Those first two albums are so so good.
@bluehorseshoe444
better than Radiohead & Oasis?
@warwickmiller9371
As a studio band definitely better than Oasis. They had 4 killer albums in a row. Oasis dipped badly after Morning Glory. Better than Radiohead is a tougher argument.