Famed for his largely improvised shows, that see Jamie constructing his tracks live, voicing and layering right in front of your eyes, effortlessly whipping them out of the air and forging them into clanking electro riffs and deathprod funk grooves.
Likened to Sly Stone, Prince and Little Richard, he is Britain's voice of soul for the new era.
Jamie is/was half of the Super_collider project. He has also helped write and produce on the albums of Mocky, who in return drums in his live band.
Rope of Sand
Jamie Lidell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So where are you going?
Time to give up, time to give up knowing
Your shoes don't care which way they're going
So who are you following?
Time to give up, time to give up tiredness
So many things I don't understand
When everything is a rope of sand
We should be learning to let it go
Don't wanna win, don't wanna lose
So where does that lead you?
Trying to give up, trying to give up trying
The games don't care if you see right through them
So who are you fooling?
Time to give up, time to give up playing now
So many things I don't understand
But there's one thing that I know
When everything is a rope of sand
We should be learning to let it go
What happens when you let it go
Does it cause a crumbling fold?
Slowly realizing you can love
Without having to hold
So many things I don't understand
But there's one thing that I know
When everything is a rope of sand
We should be learning to let it go
In the lyrics to Jamie Lidell’s song Rope of Sand, the artist is urging the listener to let go of their attachment to material things and the need to control their life. He uses the metaphor of a rope made of sand to describe the futility of trying to grasp onto things that are ultimately impermanent and fleeting. The wind is used as a symbol for the unpredictability of life and the realization that we cannot control everything in our lives. The questioning of where one is going and who they are following suggests that we must question our actions and motives in order to truly let go. The lyrics emphasize the need to give up the things that weigh us down and make us tired, and to stop trying to win or lose because in the end, it doesn’t really matter. The chorus of the song repeats the idea that we should be learning to let go of everything that is a rope of sand, meaning that we should focus on what is truly important and let go of what doesn’t matter.
The verses of the song play with different ideas of what it means to let go. The games don't care if you see right through them, so who are you fooling? This suggests that we shouldn't bother trying to outsmart life because it doesn't care. The line "trying to give up trying" is a paradoxical statement that highlights the difficulty in letting go. The artist questions whether letting go will cause everything to crumble or if it will be a freeing experience that allows us to love without having to hold onto things. Ultimately, the song is an invitation to reflect deeply on our attachment to things and to practice letting go in order to live a more fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
The wind don't care which way it's blowing
No matter where life takes you, ultimately it does not matter as the wind will continue to move regardless.
So where are you going?
Are you directing your life or is it chaotic and you are along for the ride?
Time to give up, time to give up knowing
Stop trying to control everything and accept the unknown.
Your shoes don't care which way they're going
Just like your direction in life, your footwear will not dictate your path.
So who are you following?
Are you blindly following someone else's path or are you making your own way?
Time to give up, time to give up tiredness
Stop being exhausted from trying to keep up with everyone else and focus on your own journey.
So many things I don't understand
There are a lot of unanswered questions in life.
But there's one thing that I know
Despite the ambiguity, there is one thing that is certain.
When everything is a rope of sand
When everything seems to fall apart easily and is uncertain.
We should be learning to let it go
One should learn to stop trying to control everything and let go of what they cannot change.
Don't wanna win, don't wanna lose
The singer does not have a desire for competition or success/failure.
So where does that lead you?
Not caring about winning or losing may lead to a directionless journey.
Trying to give up, trying to give up trying
The singer is attempting to stop trying to control their life and be okay with the unknown.
The games don't care if you see right through them
It does not matter if you can see the game for what it is as it will still continue as usual.
So who are you fooling?
Do not deceive yourself into thinking you have more control over the game than you actually do.
Time to give up, time to give up playing now
Stop playing the game of life and focus on self-discovery and growth.
What happens when you let it go
What occurs when one accepts the unknown and stops trying to control their life.
Does it cause a crumbling fold?
Is the outcome destructive or liberating?
Slowly realizing you can love
As one lets go of control, they discover that they can still find love and joy in their lives.
Without having to hold
Love does not require control or ownership.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOMINIC MOCKY SALOLE, JAMIE LIDELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AntonyKein
Jamie is so underrated. Brilliant song with beautiful lyrics & excellent arrangement !!!
@Imlig
You surely know that great singer... don't you? And it's only this song, that's the same kind of music... love it!
@kizzle552
This song always clams me down after stressful day at work Thank you jamie lidell God bless
@muttproductions
This is one of my favorite songs from the Jim album.... They just don't make good music like this very often... the whole album is amazing and I recommend it to everyone that loves good, original and soulful music!!! I can't wait till his next album!!!
@gp1701
Love so much this song. Could listen to it over and over again .... One of my favorite from Jamie ... with Compass ;-)
@ciosborn
Awsome vibe..this guy is so underated.
@emillindroth
Brother... I'm at a loss of words... not only do you possess a Paul McCartney sense of songwriting and the brilliant mind of a kick-ass producer; you have a stellar voice on top of that. I'm amazed and envy you at the same time. You needs to be handed a Grammy
@ciosborn
Wow, this guy is something underated. Wish all knew. Nice vibe here!!!
@Ray-V
one of my all times fav. too often get stuck on the repeat button.
@CaronAplus
Please come to Atlanta, GA..