I Understand It
Idlewild Lyrics


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Mountains wouldn't part for me
They have no uncertainty
I'm just a passing emotion
Just hoping they take notice

And you are an opportunity
Without an opportunity
Another passing emotion
And hope that someone will take notice

And did I hear you sing
That we exist without existing
Or did I hear you sing
That we'll land where we begin

I understand it but I don't show it
So I won't think it
And maybe we'll be there
Maybe we will be there

I understand it but I don't show it
So I won't think it
And maybe we'll be there
Maybe one day we will be there

I thought I heard you say
That I must be disappearing
But I'm sure I heard you sing
We won't begin

You have no sense in emptiness
Will you try a little harder




You have no sense in emptiness
Will you try, try, try a little harder

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Idlewild's song, "I Understand it," express a sense of unease and uncertainty in the face of existential questions. The lines "Mountains wouldn't part for me / They have no uncertainty" evoke a feeling of powerlessness in the face of an unyielding and indifferent world. The singer is aware that they are "just a passing emotion" and is hoping to be noticed by someone or something in order to feel validated.


The chorus repeats the phrase "I understand it but I don't show it / So I won't think it," suggesting that the singer is aware of some profound truth or insight but is not ready or willing to confront it directly. The ambiguity of the lines "And did I hear you sing / That we exist without existing" and "I thought I heard you say / That I must be disappearing" further underline this theme of uncertainty and existential angst.


Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that the search for meaning and purpose is a constant struggle, and that there are no easy answers to life's big questions. The repeated refrain of "Maybe we'll be there / Maybe one day we will be there" implies a sense of hope, but also hints at the possibility that this hope may be fleeting or illusory.


Line by Line Meaning

Mountains wouldn't part for me
I faced obstacles and challenges in my life.


They have no uncertainty
The obstacles I faced were immovable and certain.


I'm just a passing emotion
I feel insignificant and temporary.


Just hoping they take notice
Despite feeling small, I want to be recognized by others.


And you are an opportunity
Someone else is a chance for me to improve or change my circumstances.


Without an opportunity
Without a chance, my situation will remain the same.


Another passing emotion
Just like me, others may also feel temporary and insignificant.


And hope that someone will take notice
We hope that someone will recognize us and our struggles.


And did I hear you sing
I'm unsure if I heard correctly.


That we exist without existing
Did you say that we are present but overlooked or ignored?


Or did I hear you sing
Perhaps I heard something else?


That we'll land where we begin
Is it true that we will never truly advance or make progress?


I understand it but I don't show it
I comprehend what you're saying, but I don't express it outwardly.


So I won't think it
My thoughts and emotions are kept to myself.


And maybe we'll be there
Perhaps someday, we will attain our goals and reach our destination.


Maybe one day we will be there
One day, our perseverance and effort may pay off.


I thought I heard you say
I believed I heard something from you earlier.


That I must be disappearing
Did you imply that I'm fading away or losing importance?


But I'm sure I heard you sing
I'm positive that I heard you sing something else.


We won't begin
You said that we won't start or initiate something.


You have no sense in emptiness
You don't understand the feeling of being empty or insignificant.


Will you try a little harder
Can you make an effort to understand and empathize with me?


Will you try, try, try a little harder
I'm urging you to put more effort into understanding me and my perspective.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GAVIN BERNARD FOX, COLIN NEWTON, ROD PRYCE-JONES, ALLAN WILLIAM STEWART, RODDY WOOMBLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Jim Mussoline

excellent song!

L Catlin

Such a great tune I'm only commenting because I am so shocked theres only 2 comments. I had this album when it came out and still (oct 2020) listen to a few of the tunes on it fairly often. Great tune.

The Cake

I remember when they were on the scene when I was a teenager. I think most Scottish school kids had a copy of either Warnings or Remote Part at that time. Awesome.

David Embury

Ace

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