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Canvas
Imogen Heap Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Slow heart dark wait down love black canvas
Revolve within, you understand
Fragile earth where cracks in the temperature
Keep it cool to give, you understand
Keep it cool to give, you understand
Slow heart dark wait down love black canvas
Revolve within, you understand
Fragile earth where cracks in the temperature
Keep it cool to give, you understand

'Cause I just can't find the strength to pull you up and keep you taut
No I just can't find the strength to hold you up and keep you taut

Hijacked lost track light fades another day left
Long shadows lure you in
The more you look the less you see
So close your eyes and start to breathe
Oh, suit yourself, this wasn't easy
Mm, suit yourself this wasn't easy

Oh, I just can't find the strength to pull you up and keep you taut
No, I just can't find the strength to hold you up and keep you taut

Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Da-day-hay
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Da-dada-ho

'Cause I just can't find the strength
To keep you taut.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Imogen Heap's song "Canvas" tell a story of a person struggling with carrying the weight of love and intimacy amidst life's struggles. The opening line "Slow heart dark wait down love black canvas" suggests that the person's heart is heavy and the canvas in this case, referring to life, is dark, making it difficult for them to express their emotions. They feel fragile and vulnerable, and the cracks in the temperature, likely referring to the challenges they face in life, make it tough for them to give love. The repetition of the line "keep it cool to give" shows their effort to maintain their composure despite their internal struggles.


In the second verse, the lyrics suggest that the person has lost their way and is unsure of their purpose. The line "The more you look the less you see" indicates that the person is struggling to find clarity amidst the chaos. They urge themselves to close their eyes and breathe, possibly a call for them to find calm and clarity within themselves. The line "suit yourself, this wasn't easy" is a message from the person to themselves, acknowledging that their struggles are not easy to navigate.


Overall, "Canvas" is a song about the difficulties of navigating love and life amidst life's struggles. It speaks to the fragility of the human condition and the effort it takes to keep going even when things are tough.


Line by Line Meaning

Slow heart dark wait down love black canvas
The singer is feeling a heavy, sorrowful heartache that is dragging them down like a dark weight, causing their love to feel empty and uninspired


Revolve within, you understand
The singer is turning inward to try to find clarity and meaning


Fragile earth where cracks in the temperature
The world feels unstable, with its temperature and weather patterns becoming erratic and dangerous


Keep it cool to give, you understand
In the midst of uncertainty, the artist is trying to remain calm and grounded in order to be of service to others


Keep it cool to give, you understand
The artist feels strongly that keeping a level head will allow them to better contribute to the world


'Cause I just can't find the strength to pull you up and keep you taut
The singer is struggling to support someone they care about and keep them from faltering


No I just can't find the strength to hold you up and keep you taut
The singer is admitting their limitations when it comes to caring for someone else


Hijacked lost track light fades another day left
The artist feels as if time is slipping away from them, with the sun setting on yet another unproductive day


Long shadows lure you in
The shadows of the evening are tempting the artist to fall into despair and hopelessness


The more you look the less you see
The artist has been searching for answers, but the more they look, the more confusing everything becomes


So close your eyes and start to breathe
The singer encourages taking a moment to breathe and clear one's mind, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the world


Oh, suit yourself, this wasn't easy
The artist acknowledges that this process of self-discovery and healing is difficult, and not for everyone


Mm, suit yourself this wasn't easy
The singer expresses that they are not attached to others joining them in this process


'Cause I just can't find the strength to pull you up and keep you taut
The singer repeats their struggle to provide for someone else despite their own limitations


No, I just can't find the strength to hold you up and keep you taut
The singer reinforces their self-awareness and honesty about their limitations


Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Vocalization of the artist's raw emotions


Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Vocalization of the artist's raw emotions


Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Vocalization of the singer's raw emotions


Da-day-hay
Vocalization of the singer's raw emotions


Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Vocalization of the artist's raw emotions


Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Vocalization of the artist's raw emotions


Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo-wo
Vocalization of the artist's raw emotions


Da-dada-ho
Vocalization of the singer's raw emotions


'Cause I just can't find the strength
The artist repeats their admission of weakness and inability to provide for someone else


To keep you taut.
The singer repeats their struggle in keeping someone else stable and grounded.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IMOGEN JENNIFER JANE HEAP

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@j00range4

Slow heart
Dark weight
Down love
Black canvas
Revolve within
You understand.

Fragile
Earthware
Cracks in the temperature
Keep it cool
To give, you understand
Keep it cool
To give, you understand

Slow heart
Dark weight
Down love
Black canvas
Revolve within
You understand.

Fragile
Earthware
Cracks in the temperature
Keep it cool,
To give, you understand

'Cuz I just can't find the strength to pull you up
And keep you taut
No I just can't find the strength to haul you up
And keep you taut

Hijacked
Lost track
Light fades another day lapsed
Long shadows lure you in.

The more you look the less you see,
So close your eyes and start to breathe,
Oh you said yourself, this wasn't easy.

Mmm you said yourself, this wasn't easy.

Oh I just can't find the strength to pull you up
And keep you taut.
No I, just can't find the strength to haul you up
And keep you taut.

Woah woah woah woah woah
Woah woah woah woah woah
Woah Waoh woah woah woah Woah
Da da da
Woah woah woah woah woah
Woah woah woah woah woah
Woah woah woah waoh waoh woah
Dada da da

'Cuz I just can't find the strength.
To Keep you taut.



All comments from YouTube:

@kamalbhaizan

It's been like 10 years since i discovered her music.A lot happened with me between this period. Highschool, heartbreaks, intoxication, college, work. Life has become complicated and confusing. But the feeling I derive from listening to her songs, is, still the same.

@IMissMrKitty

Well said! I feel the same way.

@chicoreyes8777

Amen brother 👍

@sanjaychaupal5072

You speak my heart... pretty much similar story , fan from india

@EveMintttt

I'm the 69th like HAHAHAH

@ZeranZeran

Me too stranger.

4 More Replies...

@sacredstarlight9446

Imogen heap is not only an artist but she is a gift to the human soul I swear she taps into something I honestly can't describe her music is melancholic uplifting

@CurtisCameron

I listen to this when I'm overthinking, it's one of my go to calm down songs.

@animetrashamvs

Same here, it’s audio therapy 🙏🏾

@jmallon24

Couldn't ask for more of an original artist like Imogen Heap.

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