Wide Open Space
Greg Downey & Mansun Lyrics


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I'm in a wide open space, I'm standing
I'm all alone and staring in to space
It's always quiet through my ceiling
The roof comes in and crashes in a daze

I'm in a wide open space, it's freezing
You'll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me
I'm in a wide open space, I'm staring
There's something quite bizarre I cannot see

I'm on the top of a hill, I'm lonely
There's someone here to shout to miles away
I could be back at my house, for I care
They do not hear me, it's the same old case

I'm in a wide open space, it's freezing
You'll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me
I'm in a wide open space, I'm staring
There's something quite bizarre I cannot see

Wide open space, I'm standing
I'm all alone and staring in to space
It's always quiet through my ceiling
The roof comes in and crashes in a daze

I'm in a wide open space, it's freezing
You'll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me
I'm in a wide open space, I'm staring
There's something quite bizarre I cannot see

I'm in a wide open space, it's freezing
You'll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me




I'm in a wide open space, I'm staring
There's something quite bizarre I cannot see

Overall Meaning

The opening line, "I'm in a wide open space, I'm standing," creates an immediate sense of isolation and vulnerability. The singer is alone in a large, empty expanse, which may symbolize a feeling of emotional emptiness or isolation. The repetition of this line throughout the song emphasizes the singer's sense of being trapped and unable to escape this space. The line, "I'm all alone and staring into space," reinforces this sense of loneliness and detachment.


The second stanza introduces a sense of mistrust or suspicion: "You'll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me." It's unclear who is being addressed here or what the specific issue is, but it creates a feeling of tension or conflict. The singer seems to be withholding something or protecting themselves from someone else.


The final stanza repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the singer's isolation and sense of being trapped. The line, "The roof comes in and crashes in a daze," suggests a sudden, overwhelming sense of being overwhelmed or trapped, as if the walls are literally closing in on the singer.


Overall, the lyrics create a vivid image of emotional isolation and vulnerability, as well as a sense of tension or conflict with an as-yet undefined other. The repeated phrases and imagery reinforce these feelings, creating a haunting and memorable song.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm in a wide open space, I'm standing
I find myself in a vast empty expanse, standing here on my own


I'm all alone and staring in to space
I am completely isolated, lost in my own thoughts and observing the emptiness around me


It's always quiet through my ceiling
Even when I am inside, it seems like there is a sense of emptiness and stillness that pervades everything


The roof comes in and crashes in a daze
Despite the stillness, there is a sense of chaos and destruction that can come crashing down at any moment


I'm in a wide open space, it's freezing
The emptiness I find myself in is also incredibly cold and inhospitable


You'll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me
I am unable to provide any solace or positivity to those around me, no matter how hard they try to lift me up


There's something quite bizarre I cannot see
Despite my attempts to understand my surroundings, there remains an element of confusion and mystery that eludes me


I'm on the top of a hill, I'm lonely
As I look out over the vast empty space, I am struck by a sense of isolation and loneliness


There's someone here to shout to miles away
Despite my isolation, there is still a small glimmer of hope that someone might hear me if I shout loud enough


I could be back at my house, for I care
I am so lost in my own thoughts and the emptiness around me that I no longer care about the comforts of home


They do not hear me, it's the same old case
Despite my attempts to reach out and connect with others, my isolation continues and nobody seems to hear my cries for help




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Edward Draper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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