Olivia
Edie Brickell Lyrics

He left home when she was seventeen
A man left his family when his daughter was a teenager.

We came back to see her
They returned to visit her after some time had passed.

She was older cold and even mean
The woman had changed and was no longer friendly or kind.

Not like we remembered
Her behavior was different from their previous experiences with her.

Out along the old road
They went for a drive on a familiar path.

Where the Indian Paintbrush grows
Referring to a natural geographic location.

She began to cry and said she wanted us to know
She became emotional and opened up to share her feelings and thoughts.

There were hard times
The family had experienced difficult challenges.

When the family was broken
During a period when the family was separated or not united.

Then she lit up a smoke and said
She started smoking and continued speaking.

Gonna open up my umbrella and keep it off of me
She intends to protect herself from negative emotions.

It's so easy to go somewhere
Moving away can feel like a simple solution.

But so hard to leave
Leaving behind memories and loved ones can be difficult.

I move far away and still the memories find me there
Memories can stay with us even when we relocate.

When I hear the clock and see the dust come off the chair
Sensory experiences can trigger memories of the past.

I don't wanna remember
She does not want to dwell on past difficulties.

And I don't want to see ya
She does not want to interact with someone from her past.

Let the wind and white sheet blow through the room
She wants to let go of past negative energy and allow fresh air in.

I can live with the ghosts but not with you
She is OK with past memories but does not want to be around someone specific.

It was never so easy saying goodbye
Parting ways with someone is not always simple.

Sitting at a bus stop
The artist is waiting for transportation.

Waiting for euphoria
She is anticipating a feeling of intense happiness.

I've heard so much bad news today
The singer has received unpleasant information.

I don't think I can take anymore
The artist feels overwhelmed and anxious.

Shadows on the horizon
There is something ominous on the way or approaching.

Rusty glow in the sunrise
Describing a sunrise with rust-colored tones.

Lights on the river bridge roll to the water's edge
Describing the movement and reflection of lights on a bridge over water.

Filling the harbor with halos
The lights create a glow around the harbor.

The night was cold and black when they were walking back
The couple walked home on a dark, chilly night.

He held her hand in the shadows
She walked with someone who was supportive and comforting.

There is so much more to see
There are new experiences and opportunities to be explored.

Why stay behind
Encouragement to not remain stuck in a familiar environment or pattern.

When you could go on with me?
A call to action to experience new adventures with someone else.

Icicle centuries burst into gentle breeze
Icicles that are many years old melt into a soft wind.

Somewhere a curse has been lifted
A negative event or influence has ended.

She turned around in her chair and he touched her hair
A friendly or romantic physical interaction between two people.

And the universe shifted
Suggesting a profound change or realization occurred between the two people.

Olivia Why don't you let your heart come home?
Encouraging Olivia to embrace her past and seek connection.

Leave those wild young boys alone
Advice to avoid getting into trouble or bad situations with certain people.

Out on the stormy cliff silvery waters lift
Describing a dramatic cliff by the water on a stormy night.

High with a wild wind behind them
The waves are large and moved by a strong wind.

Vaporous rippling like a drug or a dream
The water and mist create a dreamlike or surreal atmosphere.

Eyes in the lamplight were shining
Describing the appearance of someone's happy, bright eyes in a lit environment.