Show of Strength
Echo a The Bunnymen Lyrics
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It's hard to dig it all too happily
But I can see
It's not always that real to me
A funny thing
Is always a funny thing
Though sadly things
Just get in the way
Open to suggestion
Falling over questions
Hopefully
But that's as well as maybe
A shaking hand
Won't transmit all fidelity
Your stalwart smile
Would shame a politician
Typically
I'll apologise next time
Bonds will break and fade
Go snapping all in two
The lies that bind the tie
Come sailing out of you
Realistically,
Hard to dig it all too happily
But I can see,
Not always that real to me
A funny thing
Is always a funny thing
And those sadly things
Is always a sadly thing
Bonds will break and fade
A snapping all in two
The lies that bind the tie
Come sailing out of you
A show of strength
Is all you want
You can never set it down...
Guts and passion
Those things you can't
Even set down
All those things you think might count
You can't ever set them down
Don't ever set them down
Never set them down
Hey, I came in right on cue
One is me and one is you...
Hey, I came in right on cue
One is me and one is you...
The lyrics to Echo & The Bunnymen's "Show of Strength" feature an introspective look at the realities of life and the difficulty of finding true connections with others. The song's first verse sets the tone for this exploration, with the singer acknowledging the difficulty of fully embracing life's experiences ("Realistically, it's hard to dig it all too happily") and the struggle to separate what's real from what's not ("But I can see, it's not always that real to me"). Despite this, the singer recognizes the value of humor and its ability to help us cope with life's challenges ("A funny thing is always a funny thing"), but laments that external factors too often obstruct the ability to fully enjoy life ("Though sadly things just get in the way").
The song's chorus emphasizes the need for strength in the face of adversity, with the singer presenting this as a key goal ("A show of strength is all you want, you can never set it down"). The second and third verses explore the difficulty of finding true connections with others, with the singer describing a "shaking hand" that struggles to convey true emotion ("A shaking hand won't transmit all fidelity") and an acknowledgement that even our closest bonds can be fleeting ("Bonds will break and fade, go snapping all in two"). The song's final lines feature a sense of unity between the singer and the listener ("Hey, I came in right on cue / One is me and one is you").
Line by Line Meaning
Realistically
In all actuality
It's hard to dig it all too happily
It's difficult to fully enjoy it all
But I can see
However, I understand
It's not always that real to me
It doesn't always feel genuine
A funny thing
Humorous situations
Is always a funny thing
Will always be comedic
Though sadly things
Unfortunately, sometimes things
Just get in the way
Obstruct progress
Open to suggestion
Willing to listen to ideas
Falling over questions
Overwhelmed by inquiries
Hopefully
Possibly, optimistically
But that's as well as maybe
But it's difficult to say for sure
A shaking hand
Trembling hands
Won't transmit all fidelity
Cannot accurately convey all emotions
Your stalwart smile
Your brave and steady grin
Would shame a politician
Would outdo that of a politician
Typically
Usually
I'll apologise next time
I'll say sorry on a later occasion
Bonds will break and fade
Relationships will deteriorate
Go snapping all in two
Sudden fractures and divisions
The lies that bind the tie
The falsehoods that sustain the connection
Come sailing out of you
Revealed by you
A show of strength
An exhibition of power
Is all you want
It's your sole outpouring
You can never set it down...
You cannot let go of it...
Guts and passion
Courage and fervor
Those things you can't
That are indispensable
Even set down
Even relinquish
All those things you think might count
All significant aspects you suppose exist
You can't ever set them down
You cannot relinquish them, ever
Don't ever set them down
Do not ever let them go
Hey, I came in right on cue
I arrived at the right moment
One is me and one is you...
One is myself and the other you
Hey, I came in right on cue
I arrived at the right moment
One is me and one is you...
One is myself and the other you
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN STEPHEN MCCULLOCH, LESLIE PATTINSON, PETE FREITAS, WILLIAM SERGEANT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind