Yannis Philippakis told The NME: "It's just to do with having bad experienc… Read Full Bio ↴Yannis Philippakis told The NME: "It's just to do with having bad experiences every summer on Greek beaches, where I'd have a crush on somebody and it wouldn't go well. I've never been to Miami, but I wanted to set it there because I like the imagery of Scarface: bad suits, turquoise beaches and really white teeth." (Source Miami Songfacts).

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Miami
Foals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I promised you on an ocean of
Mother of pearl, gold, and indigo
Cut through the waves, I watched you swim away
I'll never love you more than today

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me

Now black light sets on my short day
Oh, you betrayed me, you gave it away
You don't mind picking up salt to rub into my wounds

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me

Would you betray me
Or save me
Save me from you

(Miami ba...)

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me

Would you betray me
Or save me
Save me from you

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me

Would you betray me
Save me
Save me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Foals' song "Miami" paint a picture of a relationship that is on the brink of falling apart. The singer of the song is addressing their partner, whom they promised "on an ocean of mother of pearl, gold, and indigo" that they will always love them. However, now they feel betrayed and hurt, asking their partner whether they will be there for them or betray them further. The image of the ocean resurfaces throughout the song, serving as a metaphor for the unpredictability and vastness of emotions that these two people possess.

The chorus of the song is pleading for some kind of reassurance - a hope that their partner won't betray them, but save them from the pain they're feeling. The line "you don't mind picking up salt to rub into my wounds" creates a vivid image of how much this relationship has turned toxic - the partner seems to be actively trying to hurt the singer. The song's title, "Miami," seems to serve as a reference to the glamorous city; however, in the song's context, it could represent a place that the couple has visited or even lived in together. It could be a symbol of a time when things were better or a location where something in their relationship went wrong.

Overall, "Miami" portrays a complex and emotional relationship struggling to stay afloat. Through its emotive lyrics and imagery, the song becomes a reflection of the intricacies of love and the unpredictability of human emotion.

Line by Line Meaning

I promised you on an ocean of
I made a promise to you on a grand scale, like the vastness of an ocean

Mother of pearl, gold, and indigo
I promised you on something precious and beautiful like mother of pearl, gold, and indigo

Cut through the waves, I watched you swim away
I saw you leave and felt helpless as you went through the challenging experiences that lay ahead

I'll never love you more than today
Despite my love for you, I don't think I can ever love you more than I do today

Would you be there
Will you be there for me in times of need?

Be there
Will you show up and be present when I need you most?

Now black light sets on my short day
My day is coming to an end, and the darkness is starting to engulf me

Oh, you betrayed me, you gave it away
You betrayed my trust and gave away my secrets to others

You don't mind picking up salt to rub into my wounds
You don't mind causing me more pain by rubbing salt on my already hurting wounds

Would you betray me
Can I trust you, or will you betray me again?

Or save me
Will you come through and save me when I need you?

Save me from you
Will you save me from the hurt that you have caused me?

Miami ba...
The repetition of this phrase suggests that the location of Miami may be significant to the emotions being expressed, but the exact meaning is unclear

Would you be there
I need to know if you'll truly be there for me

Be there
I need you to be present in my life

Would you betray me
Or will you continue to hurt me?

Save me
I need to be saved from the pain that you have caused me

Save me from you
It's not enough for you to just save me - you need to save me from the hurt that you have caused me as well

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Edwin Thomas Congreave, Jack William Bevan, James Andrew Smith, Walter James Morrison Gervers, Yannis Barnabas Emanuel Philippakis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@TaRxFaCe

9y↑19

I promised you open ocean glow
Mother of pearl, gold, and indigo
Cut through the waves, I watched you swim away
I'll never love you more than today

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me
(In Miami)
Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me
(In Miami)

Now black light sets on my short day
Oh, you betrayed me, you gave it away
You don't mind picking up salt to rub into my wounds

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me
(In Miami)

Would you betray me
Or save me
Save me from you
(In Miami)

(Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad)
(Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad)
(Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad)
(Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad, Miami bad)

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me
(In Miami)

Would you betray me
Or save me
Save me from you
(In Miami)

Would you be there
Be there
Be there for me
(In Miami)

Would you betray me
Save me
Save me
(In Miami)

All comments from YouTube:

@Meatball.number1

1y↑12

I guess most people discover Foals thanks to Spanish Sahara or some popular song like that, but i first heard them in 2011 and it was this song in Pro Evolution Soccer 11 (PES 11), i was about 8-9 during those times and the game soundtrack shaped my music taste very much. Of course foals is one of my favourite bands of all time, possibly top 3! Their music been with me in different times, have so many memories of myself listeting to Foals in different countries, different periods of my life. And all due to this song MIAMI that sparked my love to the band!

@elchingon6759

1y↑10

This album came out when I was a senior in high school. I listened to it over and over for about a year! What great memories I have from the fall of 2010 and summer of 2011 because of this album. Foals forever :)

@alanbrito5239

42w↑2

based

@anak4tzec

9y↑32

the first 30 seconds sounds "Olympic Airways" very good :D

@danielbear4649

9y↑75

Listen I know lots of you people don't like this video. And you know what, I can't exactly describe the mood that it captured. But it did it very well, and this video is a work of art.

@goofed86

9y↑1

Daniel Bear
You been on the heroin syringes pal?

@Funny_Milkman

9y↑118

Still one of the best song in the world

@jill4840

so true

@robious8333

4y↑12

almost 10 years on and still as bad ass

@cheatmealmuscle388

ALMOST 12 YEARS MY DUDE

@StAsshole

4y↑2

whenever I come back to this song, i feel the great energy that never gets old. a classic for sure.

@user-ob4zl5mj9p

4y↑8

7 years spent to find this

@gongandfriends

4y↑3

We need an HD upload!!

@jorgegenoves8315

4y↑5

I've discovered today this band. Omg what a song !!!! The voice sounds a kind of young Robert Smith from The Cure, circa 1985. Bass lines delicious....

@frankieoh2679

8y↑10

everytime i watch this video i can't help laughing. i don't know why

@SAYEEEF

14y↑1

This is a good chill out song

@adri95

4y↑3

Still love it in 2020 👂🏼🔥

@bigc181

13y↑1

Everyone talks about Spanish Sahara, but this is my favourite track from the album.

@dierotewand3297

7y↑3

jeez man you have NO idea how hard it was to find this song for me. finally here tho.

@W0NDIN

13y

Best song/video ever.

@1superkris

13y↑2

FOALS ARE SO AMAZING ONE OF THE BEST BANDS ABOUT!

@louisehill85

14y

From someone who only listens to Hip Hop most of the time - this track made me stand up and listen! Brilliant. Wish I was at Gastonbury!

@jennireidheyhey

14y

This is summer in a song. Beautiful.

@mhmusick

14y

Foals always made such brilliant and beautiful videos that complimented their songs so well... this just isn't what I was hoping for this particular song.

@147green

13y

I think we all have to agree that this is the best song of all time.

@thomas_walker

4y↑2

Such a great riff.

@SilentBombr

14y↑2

What a video, Foals are getting very good on their instruments

@PiNgPoNgLaDd10

First Foals song I ever heard, haven't looked back since

@hulahop23

4y↑2

2020... immer noch cool 👍

@penguyang

3y↑1

i was listening this song in my younger days and now singing to remember that gold and pure days
-sad story

@Crazydave689

10y↑2

Another great 420 track!

@Marchewowa

27w

Oh my, it's still such a cool song.
Foals are unbelievable good.
Pass the vibe baby!
BIG UP!

@StanleyDonwood

14y

I love the sparse trebles, and the drumming is, as ever, sublime

@eliasz0002

14y

i cannot stop listening to this track

@Musicasaurus

13y↑2

Makes me proud to be a Miami citizen

@indieisgoodforyou

13y

this is, in fact, a very accurate portrait of what miami is like every day.

@Linkmon99

5y↑7

2:38 and on = soooo gooooood

@allanhawkinsskin

14y

La mejor combinacion... todo ironico, es el mejor video de Foals definitivamente.. Amo todo lo que tenga que ver con Foals.

@voltaEscobar24

12y

this is such a summer song i love it

@daftnomad

11y

From what I understand of Miami, this sums it up nicely.

@prozacpeople

13y

this video is totally insane!

@insert1wittynamehere

9y↑52

I like the video though, because it shows two completely different kinds of views on what "looks good", which are both on the uncommon side and at opposite ends of the spectrum.

@MrAndreBarreiro

13y

Simply Amazing...

@seeberg88

14y

One word: Crazy

@gabrielle-rosestanley3231

11y

Best band I have seen live <3

@kyleengland9155

8y↑1

I think this is such a cool video. love your music.

@hughelliott4894

Let's have this video show up again in 2021, forgotten gem

@TheAds2009

14y

great song and video

@HotRollers7

13y↑3

Olympic Airways in the beggining, a Foals song within a Foals song... Foalsception?

@trubeauty9

14y

this is an awesome song seriously

@niedoc34

4y↑1

OMG...DETOX...😍😍😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰😍🥰

@Heisenex

11y

that's called art my dear

@NekoHime1994

14y

Glamorous Monique a living legend and Icon!

@jta283

13y

im lovin the camra shots

@armondpb

13y

omg this was amazing

@sophlee09x

10y↑1

Intro song is Olympic airways another great song from Foals :)

@sienathewayfarer

10y↑9

hits with lollipop fierce

@era7984

one day this song will play at my wedding in Miami. Amen.

@sionowe2533

10y↑5

Reminded me of the gangs of new york/anchorman stand-off.

@FrostedLlama

14y

The video caught my attention on a music channel, I love the song!

@McLarenKeith

11y

The Foal's videos are weirdly awesome!

@christianmogildea4963

Foals*

@djmichaelowen

14y

yeah. love it. i loved there

@hummingbirdbyhayley

11y

Amazing song - random video!

@sassysize9

13y

this song reminds me of summer for some reason...gotta love NME music! :)

@pr0ct3r

14y↑1

what a tune, what an album, what a band! odd video but that's why we love foals!

@UrbanLea

14y

Superb track!

@ConorrrSTEWART

14y↑1

great song! foals never fail to make me smile! :D

@theamazingfanball

13y

this video does not make me want to go to the gym but it does make me want to listen to more foals songs

@Cardangiels

The video looks like in in LA. Really cool.

@mitsukosuki

12y

Total epic video man!

@TaRxFaCe

9y↑19

@mariaruthv.mascio2876

Por fin la letra completa...❤️ Thanks

@jelijeli1905

14y

I Love Them... They are just perfect. Im Going to see them in Copenhagen in December.. A lot of time still but I just can't stop looking forward to it.. Perfect Band!

@alexmunoz3261

man, 10 years are you there now?

@jelijeli1905

alejandro trujillo montenegro
Yeah still here

@alexmunoz3261

@@jelijeli1905 any band recomendation?

@jelijeli1905

I like Kaiser Chiefs.

@alexmunoz3261

@@jelijeli1905 got it, any other cometary for 2030?

@mimimysza

14y

Well...I love it. You have to see them live to understand the madness of this band. I almost lost my eye when the vocal/lead guy went into the crowd with his guitar :P

@kraggerz

14y

i dont know why but love this video.... and the song more so! think they go perfect together beats seeing same thing everyday good to see mix of people dont come under 'normal' mad but love it

@ilagneb

14y

AMAZING

@burplec

14y

i love the garish high key colours

@BIZ3LE

13y

this is beautiFOAL!!

@herecoolstuff

12y

Love it!!!!!!!

@polur31

10y↑1

Miami looks like a nice town. Whish I lived there

@Deevonee

13y

awesome album sound

@FlygoneOfficial

12y

This is probably the most likely reason for the video but because it's so creative it can have so many different interpretations to the video. Like poetry. Music should always be creative like this. Music is art.

@sonergunduz098

14w↑1

I finally found this song

@roezone

14y

amazing !!!!

@JHEADFORD

13y

@FrenchSoulParty Love this sound.

@CrisP_Dooma007

La mejor canción del soundtrack de PES 11 👌🔥👌

@folklorish

13y

There's a June of 44 cassette next to the boombox at the beginning of the video. Good to see those bodybuilders are into something a bit edgier than the stuff that's usually played in gyms...but it's also a nod to the musical influences of Foals themselves.

@VictorGonzalez-qi9yy

12y

I broke the replay button.

@JuraSolovjov

13y

My favourite song =)

@krzluc

11y

i cant find any word to describe it... ;*

@pokemans100

11y

I want to see this made into a feature length film SO BAD!!

@videosauce

14y↑4

I love how surreal and powerful some of the images are here - they somehow externalize and symbolize the lyrics, emotively, in a way I rarely see in music videos. Especially the chorus from 2:30-2:35... I don't know why, but I think that bit is AWESOME. Just. The music *feels* how that scene looks. You know? It's like a study of beauty, somehow - the tangibility and physicality of it. What beauty *means* to people, and the many different forms it takes. And, um. The blond drag queen is HOT. <3

@pyesenia19

14y

my jam right now! :D

@toroidevstrasformador

10y

gostei da banda em parabéns pela musica ficou dimais

@deklares1

14y

this video makes so much sense..

@lucianopeixotodasilva1580

36w

Umas das musicas melhores de foals

@sugscottspaz1

14y↑1

they were so good at glasto! yannis jumped on my head!

@richy1993

11y↑1

Detox kicking ass ;)

@verybrd

Wow, this video is something else.. However, the Foals deliver great music consistently, so... Whatever the hell you guys feel like doing, please continue

@TheRoobv

14y

the voice is amazing sounds like robert smith o.o they rocks big time!!!!!!!!

@kyleo1012

10y

They better play this at the Rosemont tomorrow.

@NavarroZenteno

11y

yo tambien tenia ese parche :'))!!!, para mi fue el mejor PES que he jugado :///

@DONEyoMAMA

14y

it took me so long to find dis song bt tank god i did :DD

@pickersplayspop

11y

such an amazing song. video, not so much but still the best indie single of last few years by my reckoning.

@alanbrito5239

8y↑48

PES 2011 :)

@AndryuK17

6y↑1

There's something wrong, when I find for the Pes 2011 OST songs like this, sometimes, the ghost inside and others, aren't there, I don't understand why.