Fabiana is the daughter of renowned bassist Pino Palladino and began her music career as a backing instrumentalist for Jessie Ware and SBTRKT. She is also associated with Sampha and Laura Groves.
Mystery
Fabiana Palladino Lyrics
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And every-time I try
To find out your mystery
You won't confide
When you go away
I follow you in my dreams
To another place
You're a mystery
Keeping your secrets safe
I don't know what's up
You don't have to worry babe
Like a song
One with a melody
The lighter though
Is locked and I've lost the key
You're a mystery
But somehow you belong to me
Out in the pouring rain
Will you call my name
Or will you run away
You're a mystery
I knew it right from the start
Don't know why I thought
I could shine a light into the dark
Just come back to me
Don't wait another day
Come back to me
Don't make me feel this way
Is there somewhere out there
Somewhere you'd rather be
Is there someone else
Someone you'd rather see
In the failing light
I can't wait forever baby
There's a future here
Where somehow you feel the same
You're a mystery
But somehow I belong to you
Out in the pouring rain
Will you call my name?
Or will you run away
Deep in this lover's game
Tell me now
Do you feel my pain
What will you give away
La la la la la
Why don't you call me now
Oh
Why don't you call me know
Won't you call me now
The song "Mystery" by Fabiana Palladino appears to be about a person who is struggling to understand someone else's mysterious behavior. The singer is clearly frustrated that she cannot figure out the other person's secrets or understand their motives, despite attempting to pry them loose. The other person does not seem to want to share their secrets, and may even be actively avoiding the singer. The chorus repeats the phrase "You're a mystery" several times, emphasizing the idea that the other person is a puzzle that cannot be solved.
The second verse adds a dream-like quality to the song, with the singer following the other person in her dreams to a place that is "Out in the in between." The idea of an unreachable place or person adds to the frustration and sense of unfulfilled longing that the rest of the song conveys. The final verse concludes with the singer asking the other person to come back and not make her feel this way, and wondering if there is somewhere or someone else they would rather be with. The song ends with a plea for the other person to call her.
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the difficulties of understanding another person, and the frustration that can come with feeling like someone is keeping secrets from you. The dream imagery and repeated chorus give the song a slightly eerie or haunting quality, as if the singer is haunted by the other person's mystery.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a mystery
The person being addressed is an enigma.
And every-time I try
Despite multiple attempts.
To find out your mystery
To discover the secrets of the person.
You won't confide
The person being addressed refuses to share their secrets.
When you go away
When the person being addressed leaves.
I follow you in my dreams
The singer thinks about the person being addressed often, even in their dreams.
To another place
To a different location than the present.
Out in the in between
In a transitional or undefined space.
Keeping your secrets safe
The person being addressed keeps their secrets private.
I don't know what's up
The artist does not understand what is going on.
You don't have to worry babe
The singer does not want the person being addressed to feel anxious or concerned.
Like a song
Similar to a piece of music.
One with a melody
A musical composition with a prominent tune.
The lighter though
An object used for producing a flame.
Is locked and I've lost the key
The singer is unable to use the lighter due to the key being lost.
But somehow you belong to me
Despite not understanding the person being addressed, the artist feels connected to them.
Will you call my name
The person being addressed is being asked if they will reach out to the artist.
Or will you run away
The person being addressed may choose to avoid the singer.
I knew it right from the start
The singer had an inkling that the person being addressed was a mystery.
Don't know why I thought
The artist is perplexed as to why they tried to solve the riddle of the person being addressed.
I could shine a light into the dark
The artist believed they could crack the mystery of the person being addressed.
Just come back to me
The artist wants the person being addressed to return to them.
Don't wait another day
The singer wants the person being addressed to act swiftly.
Is there somewhere out there
The artist wonders if the person being addressed has other places they would rather be.
Somewhere you'd rather be
A location the person being addressed may prefer over the present.
Is there someone else
The singer considers the possibility that the person being addressed may be with another person.
Someone you'd rather see
Someone the person being addressed may prefer over the singer.
In the failing light
As the sun sets and light dwindles.
I can't wait forever baby
The artist expects the person being addressed to act soon.
There's a future here
The singer believes they have a future with the person being addressed.
Where somehow you feel the same
The singer hopes the person being addressed shares their feelings.
Deep in this lover's game
The dynamics in the relationship between the artist and person being addressed.
Tell me now
An urgent request for information or an answer.
Do you feel my pain
The artist is expressing vulnerability and wants to know if the person being addressed understands or empathizes.
What will you give away
The singer is asking what kind of information or feeling the person being addressed is willing to reveal.
Why don't you call me now
An invitation for the person being addressed to contact the artist.
Oh
An exclamation indicating emotion or surprise.
Won't you call me now
An invitation for the person being addressed to contact the singer immediately.
Writer(s): Jai Raj Paul, Fabiana Palladino
Contributed by Camilla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.