stand still
J. Jamal Lyrics
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Woke up from where she was
Lying still
Said I gotta do something
About where we're going
Step on a steam train
Step out of the driving rain, maybe
Singing ha, ah la la la de day
Ah da da da de day
Ah la la de day
Sweet the sin
Bitter than taste in my mouth
I see seven towers
But I only see one way out
You got to cry without weeping
Talk without speaking
Scream without raising your voice
You know I took the poison
From the poison stream
Then I floated out of here
Singing ha la la la de day
Ha la la la de day
Ha la la de day
She runs through the streets
With eyes painted red
Under a black belly of cloud in the rain
In through a doorway she brings me
White gold and pearls stolen from the sea
She is raging
She is raging
And the storm blows up in her eyes
She will
Suffer the needle chill
She's running to stand
Still
The lyrics of J. Jamal's "Stand Still" describe a woman who has woken up to the reality of her situation and feels compelled to take action. She recognizes that something needs to be done to change the course of where they are headed. However, the way forward is not clear, and it seems like they are in a dark place with no obvious way out. The image of running from the darkness in the night is a powerful one that evokes a sense of urgency and desperation.
The lyrics then shift to a description of the sin that has been committed, and how it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. The imagery of the seven towers suggests a sense of confinement or being trapped, with only one way out. This creates a sense of claustrophobia and reinforces the idea that the situation is dire.
The lyrics then take a more philosophical turn, as J. Jamal describes the need to cry without weeping, talk without speaking, and scream without raising your voice. This seems to suggest a desire to express oneself in ways that are unconventional, perhaps because conventional methods have failed to bring about the desired change.
The final stanza is an intense and vivid description of a woman who is raging against her circumstances. She runs through the streets with red eyes, almost like she is possessed by her emotions. She brings white gold and pearls stolen from the sea, suggesting that she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. The storm blowing up in her eyes creates a sense of turmoil and chaos, but she is determined to stand still and face whatever comes her way.
Line by Line Meaning
And so she woke up
She finally regained her senses
Woke up from where she was
She woke up from her previous state of being lost or confused
Lying still
She was motionless and not making progress
Said I gotta do something
She acknowledged that action needs to be taken
About where we're going
To change the direction and path that they are currently on
Step on a steam train
To take a journey, possibly to escape
Step out of the driving rain, maybe
To escape from something that is causing discomfort
Run from the darkness in the night
To flee from danger or fear, especially at night
Singing ha, ah la la la de day
Trying to maintain a cheerful demeanor despite the challenges faced
Ah da da da de day
Continuation of the previous line
Ah la la de day
Chanting to drive away fears or doubts
Sweet the sin
The sin is tempting and pleasurable
Bitter than taste in my mouth
The aftermath of the sin is unpleasant and regretful
I see seven towers
The obstacles to be faced are great in number
But I only see one way out
Despite the numerous obstacles, there is only one solution
You got to cry without weeping
Expressing sadness without tears
Talk without speaking
Communicating without words
Scream without raising your voice
Protesting without making a sound
You know I took the poison
Engaging in something dangerous or harmful
From the poison stream
From the source of the danger or harm
Then I floated out of here
Escaping from the danger or harm
Singing ha la la la de day
Celebrating the escape from danger or harm
Ha la la la de day
Joyful chanting
Ha la la de day
Continuation of the previous line
She runs through the streets
Fleeing or hurriedly moving through the city
With eyes painted red
Possibly from tears or lack of sleep
Under a black belly of cloud in the rain
The ominous and depressing environment she is in
In through a doorway she brings me
Leading to safety or to a new beginning
White gold and pearls stolen from the sea
Possibly symbolic of new opportunities or treasures found
She is raging
Emotionally intense and passionate
And the storm blows up in her eyes
Her emotions show through her eyes and actions
She will
She is determined to
Suffer the needle chill
To endure hardship, pain, or discomfort
She's running to stand
Moving quickly, but not necessarily to get somewhere
Still
To maintain a sense of calmness and control amidst the chaos
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM CLAYTON, DAVE EVANS, LARRY MULLEN, PAUL HEWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind