Nothing Too Serious
Icehouse Lyrics


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Twenty story buildings coming down on me
Mountain ranges sliding into the sea
Rivers of blood, running red
I got a broken heart and a broken head

[Chorus]
I had a little accident
Nothing too serious
Take a look at this place, take a look at this mess
Nothing too serious
If you close your eyes it may go away
Nothing too serious
We could do it again some other day
Nothing too serious

Well, I shook myself and I fell out of bed
I can't remember a thing, oh, was it something I said
Well, I don't know my name and I don't know my place
There's a crack in the mirror, cracking my face

(Baby is blue) she had a heavy night
(Baby is blue) she's gonna be alright
(Baby is blue) she'll never the same
You better take her home





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Icehouse's "Nothing Too Serious" may seem like a stream of consciousness, but it's actually a metaphorical representation of a personal crisis that the singer is facing. The first verse describes the world collapsing around him, which could be interpreted as the events in his life spiraling out of control. The "rivers of blood, running red" could be symbolic of mental or emotional pain, while having a broken heart and head could represent a broken spirit and mind.


The chorus, on the other hand, reveals that despite the chaos and destruction, the singer is trying to downplay the situation to himself and others. He describes the disastrous events as "nothing too serious," and if you "close your eyes it may go away." It could be his way of trying to avoid confronting the reality of his problems, which often lead to further destruction.


The second verse includes hints of the singer's bad decisions, possibly fueled by drugs and alcohol, as he wakes up not remembering anything. The crack in the mirror cracking his face is a metaphor for the loss of his self-identity and the facade he's been putting up. The ending, with the repetition of "baby is blue," suggests that someone else is affected by his behavior and that he needs to take responsibility for his actions.


Overall, "Nothing Too Serious" is a powerful commentary on the human tendency to ignore one's problems and mask them with a false sense of optimism.


Line by Line Meaning

Twenty story buildings coming down on me
I am feeling overwhelmed and burdened by the weight of my problems, as if tall buildings were collapsing on top of me.


Mountain ranges sliding into the sea
The magnitude of my troubles is so immense, it's as though entire mountain ranges are disappearing before my eyes, much like their destruction could only be caused by a seismic event such as landslides and earthquakes.


Rivers of blood, running red
My emotions are intense and raw, like a river of blood flowing uncontrollably and staining everything in its path.


I got a broken heart and a broken head
I am emotionally distressed and my thoughts are confused and muddled, representing my broken heart and my inability to think clearly.


[Chorus]
Despite the gravity of my problems, I am downplaying them and trying to convince myself that they are not too serious and that I will be able to handle them.


Well, I shook myself and I fell out of bed
I am trying to snap out of my state of despair and confusion, but in doing so, I am metaphorically falling and failing to get control of the situation.


I can't remember a thing, oh, was it something I said
My memory is failing me, and I am questioning whether my actions or words might have contributed to my current state of distress.


Well, I don't know my name and I don't know my place
I am feeling disoriented and lost, both in terms of my identity and my sense of purpose in life.


There's a crack in the mirror, cracking my face
I am forced to confront my flaws and imperfections, symbolized by the crack in the mirror that reflects my own face.


(Baby is blue) she had a heavy night
In the midst of my own troubles, I am aware of someone else who is also suffering and feeling blue after a night of indulgence (possibly referring to drug abuse).


(Baby is blue) she's gonna be alright
Despite her current state, I am optimistic that she will recover and be okay in the end.


(Baby is blue) she'll never the same
However, I also recognize that her experience has changed her in some fundamental way, and she won't fully return to her former self.


You better take her home
As a friend or caregiver, it is my responsibility to ensure her safety and wellbeing by taking her away from this environment and back to her own home.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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