Everybody's Talkin'
George Tipton; Harry Nilsson Lyrics
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I don't hear a word they're sayin'
Only the echoes of my mind
People stoppin', starin'
I can't see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes
I'm goin' where the sun keeps shinin'
Goin' where the weather suits my clothes
Bankin' off of the Northeast winds
Sailin' on summer breeze
And skippin' over the ocean like a stone
Wah, wah
Wah
I'm going where the sun keeps shinin'
Through the pourin' rain
Goin' where the weather suits my clothes
Bankin' off of the Northeast winds
Sailin' on summer breeze
And skippin' over the ocean like a stone
Everybody's talkin' at me
Can't hear a word they're sayin'
Only the echoes of my mind
I won't let you leave my love behind
No, I won't let you leave-wah
I won't let you leave my love behind
In Harry Nilsson's song, "Everybody's Talkin'," he describes the isolation and detachment he feels from the world around him. When he says that everybody's talking at him, but he doesn't hear a word they're saying, he means that he has retreated into his own headspace where he is protected from the outside world. He is so preoccupied with his own thoughts that the words of others become an echo in his mind.
The people around him are staring at him, but he doesn't acknowledge them because he is lost in his own thoughts. He can't see their faces, only the shadows of their eyes. He then describes how he is going where the sun keeps shining, through the pouring rain, where the weather suits his clothes. He is bulldozing his way through his emotions and going where he feels comfortable and safe, where he doesn't have to face reality.
The song then goes on to describe him floating on the ocean, skipping like a stone. This could mean that he's floating aimlessly through life, moving from one place to the next without a clear destination or purpose. Despite feeling disconnected from the world, he won't let his love behind. This could be a reference to a person or a feeling he doesn't want to lose.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's talking at me
People are saying a lot of things to me.
I don't hear a word they're saying
I don't understand or pay attention to anything they say.
Only the echoes of my mind
I'm distracted by my own thoughts and not really present in the conversation.
People stopping, staring
People are looking at me.
I can't see their faces
I can't make out who they are or their expressions clearly.
Only the shadows of their eyes
I can only see the darkness around their eyes and not the full picture.
I'm going where the sun keeps shining
I'm seeking a place that is bright and positive.
Through the pouring rain
Despite life's challenges and hardships.
Going where the weather suits my clothes
Looking to move to a place where I can live and dress comfortably.
Banking off of the northeast winds
Taking advantage of the wind to guide my journey.
Sailing on a summer breeze
Enjoying a warm and easy ride towards my destination.
And skipping over the ocean like a stone
Moving across the water effortlessly and fluidly.
Can't hear a word they're saying
I still cannot understand or pay attention to what they are saying.
I won't let you leave my love behind
I will not let my love or affection for someone disappear or be forgotten.
No, I won't let you leave
I will hold onto you and not let go.
I won't let you leave my love behind
My love will always be present and remembered.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Fred Neil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Incredible14U
Saw this film when I was 15 - read the book a few ago - An American classic believe it or not - the book won awards in the literary arts.
@julianborges1569
Hopeful story