Late For The Sky
Jackson Browne David Lindley Lyrics
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And somehow the feeling still wasn't right
And still we continued on through the night
Tracing our steps from the beginning
Until they vanished into the air
Trying to understand how our lives has led us there
Looking hard into your eyes
Such an empty surprise to feel so alone
Now for me some words come easy
But I know that they don't mean that much
Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch
You never knew what I loved in you
I don't know what you loved in me
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be
Awake again I can't pretend and I know I'm alone
And close to the end of the feeling we've known
How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might
To be the one you need
Awake again I can't pretend and I know I'm alone
And close to the end of the feeling we've known
How long have I been sleeping
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
How long have I been running for that morning flight
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Of the bed where we both lie
Late for the sky
"Late For The Sky" is a song that reflects on the idea of isolation and loneliness even when in the company of someone else. The song was written and performed by Jackson Browne, and it features David Lindley on violin, who also co-wrote the song with Browne. The lyrics reveal how the characters, who seem to be in a romantic relationship or a close friendship, are trying to make sense of their lives and their feelings towards each other. They trace their steps from the beginning until it vanished into thin air, implying that they are trying to go back to when things were simpler and clearer, but to no avail. They are still lost and feel disconnected, despite being physically close to one another.
In the chorus of the song, Browne asks how long he has been sleeping, drifting, and dreaming of making things right. He reflects on the idea that it might be too late for him to make a change and wonders how long he has been running away from his problems instead of confronting them. The lyrics of the song convey a sense of melancholy and despair, but also of self-awareness and a desire for redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
The words had all been spoken
We have nothing more to say to each other.
And somehow the feeling still wasn't right
Despite the words we spoke, something between us is still off.
And still we continued on through the night
We keep going, but we're not sure why.
Tracing our steps from the beginning
We're trying to figure out where things went wrong.
Until they vanished into the air
Our search is fruitless and our memories are fading away.
Trying to understand how our lives has led us there
We're attempting to comprehend how we ended up in this situation.
Looking hard into your eyes
I'm trying to see if there's still a connection between us.
There was nobody I'd ever known
I can't recognize the person in front of me anymore.
Such an empty surprise to feel so alone
It's shocking to feel so isolated when we're together.
Now for me some words come easy
I can find words to say, but they don't hold much meaning.
But I know that they don't mean that much
Words can't fix the brokenness between us.
Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch
Physical touch can communicate more than words ever could.
You never knew what I loved in you
I never shared with you everything that I found lovable about you.
I don't know what you loved in me
I'm not sure what you saw in me that made you love me.
Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be
Perhaps you loved an idealized version of me that doesn't exist.
Awake again I can't pretend and I know I'm alone
I can't fake it anymore and I know I'm on my own.
And close to the end of the feeling we've known
Our relationship is ending.
How long have I been sleeping
I've been passively letting our relationship deteriorate.
How long have I been drifting alone through the night
I've been aimlessly moving forward, feeling alone.
How long have I been dreaming I could make it right
I've been holding onto the hope that things could still work out.
If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might
If I really tried, I might be able to fix things.
To be the one you need
I want to be the solution to our problems.
How long have I been running for that morning flight
I've been avoiding facing the issues in our relationship.
Through the whispered promises and the changing light
Despite our whispered promises and the passing of time, our relationship has changed.
Of the bed where we both lie
Even as we share a bed, we're growing further apart.
Late for the sky
We're too late to fix this - the end is near.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JACKSON BROWNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind