Overcome
Haley Bennett Peter Dinklage Bryce Dessner Aaron Dessner London Contemporary Orchestra Lyrics
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Diving into cold ocean waves
Words can only get me so far
They cannot describe the way that it hurts
′Cause every time I see you
I am overcome
I try to tell you
Tell you how much I need you
Your letters to me are like music
They're just a mask in a lonely coward′s game
What is it you're so afraid of losing?
I might lose everything if I lose the pain
'Cause every time I see you
I am overcome
It′d make you laugh to think someone like me
Could keep someone like you
Look what I′ve become
You wore your hair down one time last spring in the chapel
Your lips painted red, I remember the day
We hadn't met yet, how could you possibly remember that?
You watched me then? Why didn′t you say something?
'Cause every time I see you
I am overcome
I try to tell you
Tell you how much I need you, too
Look what I′ve become
Nothing feels real anymore when you're not around me
Even the sky looks like it′s behind glass
Hearing your voice now, I can see everything clearly
I can see that you really are my love at last
But oh, Roxanne...
I'm right here, love
Words fail me
Please come to me
I try but I can't
This is real love
Dare to believe you′d have me
I have no doubt
I know that you′re the one now
You don't know anything
I know that it′s you
Roxanne, if this was true
Just tell me what you need now
Then I'd need for nothing
Just tell me what to do
The song "Overcome" by Haley Bennett, Peter Dinklage, Bryce Dessner, Aaron Dessner, and the London Contemporary Orchestra is a heartfelt expression of longing, love, and vulnerability. The lyrics convey a sense of being overwhelmed by emotions and struggling to find the right words to express them. The singer feels like falling stars and diving into cold ocean waves, which symbolizes the intensity and depth of their emotions. Despite their efforts to communicate their feelings, words alone cannot capture the extent of their pain and desire. Every time they see the person they're singing about, they are overcome with emotions, but they find it difficult to openly express their need for them, ultimately turning and running away.
The letters the singer receives from this person are compared to music, but they are seen as a mere façade in a game of someone feeling lonely and lacking courage. The singer wonders what the person is afraid of losing and suggests that they themselves might lose everything if they lose the pain associated with their love. The song reveals a moment of shared memory where the person wore their hair down one time in the spring, and the singer remembers the vivid details of that day. They express surprise that the person noticed them, questioning why they didn't say something. The overwhelming emotions persist, leading the singer to contemplate the unreal feeling of the world without the person they love.
As the song progresses, the lyrics evolve into a dialogue between the singer and Roxanne. The singer expresses their inability to find the right words, while Roxanne reassures them that she is right there, encouraging them to open up. The singer acknowledges that words fail them, but they firmly believe in the reality of their love. Roxanne challenges their understanding, and the dialogue continues as they both express their certainty in their connection. The song concludes with the singer asking Roxanne to tell them what she needs, expressing that if she does, then they would need nothing else. They rely on her guidance in their pursuit of love.
Line by Line Meaning
The way I feel is like falling stars
My emotions are as intense and unpredictable as shooting stars in the night sky
Diving into cold ocean waves
Plunging into the chilling depths of my emotions
Words can only get me so far
Verbal expression is limited in conveying the depth of my feelings
They cannot describe the way that it hurts
No words can truly capture the pain I am experiencing
′Cause every time I see you
Each encounter with you
I am overcome
Overwhelms me completely
I try to tell you
I attempt to express
Tell you how much I need you
Convey the depth of my dependence on you
But I turn and run
Yet, fear and uncertainty make me retreat
Your letters to me are like music
The words written in your letters resonate with me like a melodic composition
They're just a mask in a lonely coward′s game
However, they serve as a facade in a desperate attempt to conceal one's isolation
What is it you're so afraid of losing?
What frightens you to the point of avoiding vulnerability?
I might lose everything if I lose the pain
By surrendering the pain, I risk losing my entire existence
It′d make you laugh to think someone like me
You would find it amusing to consider that someone of my nature
Could keep someone like you
Could attract and maintain a person like you
Look what I′ve become
Reflect upon the transformation I've undergone
You wore your hair down one time last spring in the chapel
There was a particular moment in spring when you let your hair loose in the chapel
Your lips painted red, I remember the day
I recall vividly the day when your lips were adorned with red color
We hadn't met yet, how could you possibly remember that?
We had not yet encountered each other, so how is it possible for you to retain that memory?
You watched me then? Why didn′t you say something?
You observed me during that time? Then why didn't you communicate with me?
'Cause every time I see you
As every instance of encountering you
I am overcome
I am overwhelmed
I try to tell you
I make an effort to express to you
Tell you how much I need you, too
Convey the reciprocal nature of my dependence on you
Look what I′ve become
Observe the person I have transformed into
Nothing feels real anymore when you're not around me
The absence of your presence renders everything devoid of authenticity
Even the sky looks like it′s behind glass
Even the sky appears distant and unattainable, as if veiled by a barrier
Hearing your voice now, I can see everything clearly
Now that I hear your voice, clarity dawns upon me
I can see that you really are my love at last
I perceive with certainty that you are ultimately my true love
But oh, Roxanne...
However, Roxanne...
I'm right here, love
I am present, my love
Words fail me
I am unable to find the appropriate words
Please come to me
Kindly approach me
I try but I can't
I make an effort, but it is futile
This is real love
Our connection is genuine love
Dare to believe you′d have me
Have the courage to believe that you would accept me
I have no doubt
I possess complete certainty
I know that you′re the one now
I am certain that you are the one for me
You don't know anything
You lack understanding
I know that it′s you
I am confident that it is you
Roxanne, if this was true
Roxanne, if this reality were valid
Just tell me what you need now
Simply communicate your current desires
Then I'd need for nothing
At that point, I would lack nothong
Just tell me what to do
Instruct me on what actions to take
Writer(s): Matthew D. Berninger, Aaron Brooking Dessner, Bryce David Dessner, Carin Besser
Contributed by Bailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.