You Can Count On Me
Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle Lyrics
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Like water risin' up to my chin
Another long night to be alone
I could go out on the town
Talk too much and laugh too loud
If I'm already on my way down
I might as well just work the crowd
O the stories I could tell
Sometimes I really hit my stride
We make our own Heaven and our own Hell
Tryin' to get across to the other side
But everyday ends up the same
One step up, two steps back
Like some old silent movie frame
Zoom in close, then fade to black
Can you hear me now
How did the load get to be
so heavy I used to wear my trouble like a crown
A bad flood's poundin' on the levee
And I'm gonna need some help
To hold my ground
But I'm sinkin' like a stone
To where in solitude this life I'll spend
In the coldest place I've ever known
I'm here just waitin' until the end I send up my S.O.S.
A message in a bottle set out to sea It just reads
The lyrics of Emmylou Harris's song Can You Hear Me Now convey a feeling of loneliness and despair. The first verse talks about how the walls are closing in and the singer feels trapped, as if she were drowning. It seems she's going through a difficult time and is struggling to keep her head above water. She considers going out to distract herself from her troubles but knows it won't make a real difference.
The second verse reflects on the singer's life and how she's trying to find meaning and purpose. She feels like every day is the same, and she's always taking one step forward and two steps back. She compares her life to a silent movie that zooms in and fades to black, implying that her existence is bleak and unfulfilling. Despite this, she wonders whether anyone can hear her calls for help, whether anyone is listening to her story.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of isolation and disconnection. Despite being surrounded by people, the singer feels alone and helpless. It's a poignant commentary on the human condition, highlighting the fact that no matter how hard we try, we can't always break through the barriers that separate us.
Line by Line Meaning
O the walls are closin' in I can feel it in my bones
I feel trapped and overwhelmed by my problems
Like water risin' up to my chin
My stress and anxiety are taking over and suffocating me
Another long night to be alone
I am lonely and do not have anyone to turn to for comfort
I could go out on the town
I could try to distract myself by socializing and partying
Talk too much and laugh too loud
I could act out of desperation and try to cover up my pain
If I'm already on my way down
If I am already feeling low and hopeless
I might as well just work the crowd
I might as well try to have fun and be social even though I am hurting
Can you hear me now
Is anyone listening to my cries for help
O the stories I could tell
I have a lot of experiences and emotions I could share if someone cared to listen
Sometimes I really hit my stride
Sometimes I feel confident and in control of my life
We make our own Heaven and our own Hell
We have the power to shape our own lives and experiences
Tryin' to get across to the other side
I am struggling to overcome my challenges and reach a better place
But everyday ends up the same
I feel trapped in a vicious cycle and cannot escape my problems
One step up, two steps back
I make progress but then suffer setbacks that take me back to where I started
Like some old silent movie frame
My life feels like a sad, lonely movie that no one is watching
Zoom in close, then fade to black
My life feels like it is slowly coming to an end, with nothing to look forward to
How did the load get to be
I am baffled by the weight of my problems and how they have piled up over time
so heavy I used to wear my trouble like a crown
My problems used to be manageable but now they feel like a burden I cannot escape
A bad flood's poundin' on the levee
My problems feel overwhelming and unmanageable, like a natural disaster hitting me
And I'm gonna need some help
I cannot handle my problems on my own and need support from others
To hold my ground
To maintain my stability and not fall apart completely
But I'm sinkin' like a stone
I feel like I am slowly drowning and cannot keep my head above water
To where in solitude this life I'll spend
I feel like I am doomed to live a lonely, isolated life
In the coldest place I've ever known
I feel emotionally frozen and cut off from warmth and love
I'm here just waitin' until the end
I feel like there is nothing left to live for and am just waiting for my life to end
I send up my S.O.S.
I am desperate and calling out for help
A message in a bottle set out to sea
I feel alone and isolated, like my message will never be heard and I am lost at sea
It just reads
My message is simple and direct
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EMMYLOU HARRIS, MALCOLM BURN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind