Upside Down
Jesus and Mary Chain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't hear a single sound
And when I hit the ground
I heard a ringing sound
Uh-huh-huh
I heard a ringing sound
And my head hit the ground
Uh-huh-huh
You live with so much carelessness
'Cause no one takes you serious
That makes you feel so dangerous
You wish you never was
But you can't see
And if you feel there's no one else
That you're all alone, you're by yourself
Your life is like a broken shell
It doesn't really matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Knowing you can't see
Inside I feel so bad
So low I feel so sad
Feels like I'm going mad
Best friend I've ever had
Uh-huh-huh
Feels like I'm going mad
Best friend I've ever had
Uh-huh-huh
So low I feel so sad
You live with so much carelessness
'Cause no one takes you serious
And now you think you're dangerous
You never was but you can't see
And if you feel there's no one else
You're all alone and by yourself
Your life is like a broken shell
It doesn't really matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Knowing you can't see
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
The Jesus and Mary Chain's song "Upside Down" is a reflection of feeling lost and alone in the world. The lyrics paint a picture of spinning out of control, being unable to hear anything and feeling disoriented. The singer of the song feels like they are upside down, both physically and emotionally, and they are unable to find their footing.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of not being taken seriously and feeling dangerous as a result. The singer feels like they are in a broken shell or a state of chaos, unable to escape their own thoughts and feelings. They believe they are alone and that no one can understand what they are going through.
The repetition of the phrase "upside down" reinforces the feeling of instability that the singer is experiencing. Overall, the song is a powerful reflection on the fragility of the human experience and the struggle to find a sense of balance and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
We're moving 'round and 'round
Life is just spinning around with no clear direction and purpose
Can't hear a single sound
We're so lost that we've lost our sense of hearing - can't hear any guidance or hope
And when I hit the ground
When everything comes crashing down and we're left with nothing
I heard a ringing sound
The sound is the painful reminder of our failures and losses
Uh-huh-huh
A sorrowful acknowledgement of the pain and difficulties experienced
I heard a ringing sound
The sound is the painful reminder of our failures and losses
And my head hit the ground
The impact of our struggles and hardships knocks us down and keeps us there
Uh-huh-huh
A sorrowful acknowledgement of the pain and difficulties experienced
Inside I'm upside down
Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, we're flipped upside down and lost
You live with so much carelessness
Living life recklessly and without regard for consequences
'Cause no one takes you serious
We don't take life seriously and don't think about the impact of our actions
That makes you feel so dangerous
Feeling like we're invincible and can take on anything and everything
You wish you never was
Regretting our careless and reckless ways
But you can't see
Blinded by our own illusions and denial of reality
And if you feel there's no one else
Feeling alone and abandoned in our struggles
That you're all alone, you're by yourself
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others, from hope, from anything positive
Your life is like a broken shell
Our life is fractured, shattered, and hopeless
Doesn't really matter to me
Acknowledging that no one can understand or help us in our struggles
Knowing you can't see
Aware that we're blind to the truth and to hope
Inside I feel so bad
The pain and struggle are internal and overwhelming
So low I feel so sad
Emotionally, we're at rock bottom and can't find a way up
Feels like I'm going mad
The pain and struggle are driving us to insanity and breaking our mind and spirit
Best friend I've ever had
The only thing we have left in our loneliness and pain is our own mind and body
Uh-huh-huh
A sorrowful acknowledgement of the pain and difficulties experienced
Feels like I'm going mad
The pain and struggle are driving us to insanity and breaking our mind and spirit
Best friend I've ever had
The only thing we have left in our loneliness and pain is our own mind and body
Uh-huh-huh
A sorrowful acknowledgement of the pain and difficulties experienced
So low I feel so sad
Emotionally, we're at rock bottom and can't find a way up
Upside down
The world around us is disorienting and overwhelming
Upside down
We're lost and confused, with no clear path forward
Upside down
Our life is flipped on its head, with no strong footing, stability, or direction
Upside down
Life is disorienting, overwhelming, and confusing
Upside down
The world around us is disorienting and overwhelming
Upside down
We're lost and confused, with no clear path forward
Upside down
Our life is flipped on its head, with no strong footing, stability, or direction
Upside down
Life is disorienting, overwhelming, and confusing
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: Billy Reid, William Adam Reid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
lmw_blue
We're moving 'round and 'round
Can't hear a single sound
And when I hit the ground
I heard a ringing sound
Uh-huh-huh
I heard a ringing sound
And my head hit the ground
Uh-huh-huh
Inside I'm upside down
You live with so much carelessness
'Cause no one takes you serious
That makes you feel so dangerous
You wish you never was
But you can't see
And if you feel there's no one else
That you're all alone, you're by yourself
Your life is like a broken shell
It doesn't really matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Knowing you can't see
Inside I feel so bad
So low I feel so sad
Feels like I'm going mad
Best friend I've ever had
Uh-huh-huh
Feels like I'm going mad
Best friend I've ever had
Uh-huh-huh
So low I feel so sad
You live with so much carelessness
'Cause no one takes you serious
And now you think you're dangerous
You never was but you can't see
And if you feel there's no one else
You're all alone and by yourself
Your life is like a broken shell
It doesn't really matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Doesn't matter to me
Knowing you can't see
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down
Upside down….
Stone 79
One of the best debut singles in history. I love it so much!
Carlo Fais
Holy words!
altclut
I think it was THE best!
Kris Taylor
My favourite debut single by any band. The balls to put this out as your first single. And it fucking ROCKS!
Alice
The only song I have listened to that has made my laptop speakers crackle with the volume. Not even My Bloody Valentine have managed that. I think that says something about this band <3
MsMr NoFace
This song still nearly brings me to tears every time I hear it. Soooo Awesome!!!! *holds tissue to eye*...
John Tansey
Hey, when I listen to the live at Barrowlands version it's even more of a lump in the throat moment. They're still doing it into middle age and you know what? The feeling is the same.
friautz
What a classic! Love like Jim and William are singing together...
Flinchey
Probably the greatest debut single, this is ahead of its time, William using that shin ei fuzz pedal, Murray on drums, Psychocandy would go onto have a big influence on upcoming bands and Jim said this record would be a classic and be in record stores everywhere oh did that come true
72daystar
If you can embrace music that is highly dissonant and darkly beautiful this is the greatest song in the Universe!