The Simple Story
Jane Birkin - Feist Lyrics

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The little thoughts came rushing in
Whilst I watched for a sign from him
When all the while was clear as day
That I should go and he should stay

I took his love like it was mine
I squeezed the truth until it lied
It took some time for cracks to show

Should I stay or should he go?

The simple story that you told me
Is a little different than you showed me
The simple story, unfurling slowly
Is if you lay down with a dream
You'll wake up lonely

The fog will cast a certain shade
So what you see is how what's made
It's mark will show you what to do
When hope pretends it's made you new

(Love lied)
(Love lied)
(But I'm the reason)
(Love died)

The simple story
(Love lied)
That you told me
(Love lied)
Is a little different than what you showed me
(Love died)

The sky wraps 'round the mountaintops
The watch unwinds until it stops
Some things will always be the way they are
And that is how they'll stay

The simple story
(Love lied)
That you told me
(Love lied)
Is a little different than what you showed me
(Love died)

The simple story
(Love lied)
Unfurling slowly
(Love lied)
Is if you lay down with a dream

You'll wake up lonely
(Love died)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Simple Story" by Jane Birkin tells a story of a love affair gone wrong. The singer seems to be in a state of confusion regarding the lover's feelings. She is waiting for a sign, but deep down she knows that she should leave while he should stay. She has taken his love to be her own and hidden the truth behind lies until the cracks start to show. They both question the relationship - should they stay or part ways?

The chorus states the simple story, that love can lie, and the truth unfolds slowly, and if you chase a dream, you'll wake up lonely. The metaphorical meaning here is that we often let our fantasies run away with us, but they often lead to disappointment when we awake from them. The singer has discovered that reality doesn't always match up to our grandiose romantic notions, and love can often be deceitful. The song ends with an acknowledgment that some things will always be the way they are, and we have to accept them.

Line by Line Meaning

The little thoughts came rushing in
My mind was filled with doubts and concerns

Whilst I watched for a sign from him
I waited for some indication or action from him

When all the while was clear as day
The answer was actually very obvious

That I should go and he should stay
The best course of action was for me to leave and for him to stay

I took his love like it was mine
I accepted his love as my own

I squeezed the truth until it lied
I twisted the truth to fit my own narrative

It took some time for cracks to show
Eventually, the flaws and problems began to reveal themselves

Should I stay or should he go?
I was uncertain about what to do next

The simple story that you told me
The straightforward explanation you gave me

Is a little different than you showed me
The reality I experienced was not exactly as you described

The simple story, unfurling slowly
The true story gradually emerged

Is if you lay down with a dream
If you fall in love with a fantasy

You'll wake up lonely
You will end up feeling alone and disappointed

The fog will cast a certain shade
Sometimes the unclear situation can lead to confusion

So what you see is how what's made
What we perceive is influenced by our experiences and expectations

It's mark will show you what to do
The situation itself will help guide you toward the right decision

When hope pretends it's made you new
When we hope that someone or something will change us for the better

(Love lied)
Love deceived me

(But I'm the reason)
But I played a part in that deception

(Love died)
Love ended

The sky wraps 'round the mountaintops
The beauty and majesty of nature can provide perspective

The watch unwinds until it stops
Time always moves forward, and eventually comes to an end

Some things will always be the way they are
Certain aspects of life are unchangeable

And that is how they'll stay
And we must accept them as they are

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jason Beck, Leslie Feist

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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