Oh Heart
Jill Barber Lyrics

Oh heart
The singer is addressing her own heart

Your signal is breaking apart
Their emotions are becoming less clear and more difficult to navigate

Now you can hardly play
Their heart is having trouble keeping up with things

I remember a time
The artist recalls a simpler time, when their emotions were easier to understand

When the lines were so clear
Their emotions were much more straightforward in the past

That I would always obey
The singer never had trouble following their emotions in the past

Somehow these days they keep slipping my mind
Now, the singer has difficulty staying in touch with their emotions

Wind you back up
The artist is trying to get their heart back on track

Just to keep you in time
They want things to return to a more regular schedule

And oh how I miss
The artist longs for a return to a previous time

Those bells as they chimed
They miss the regular and predictable way things used to be

Every hour on the hour
Their life used to be much more structured and predictable

They say all is fair in love
The singer is alluding to the idea that relationships often involve hurt and uncertainty

So I'm just playing fair
The singer is trying to be fair to their partner, despite the difficulties they're facing

But there's no guarantee against injury
Even when you try to be fair, there's always a risk of getting hurt

And I think we're in need of repair
The artist believes that their relationship needs some work

I know that you're doing your best
The artist is trying to reassure their own heart

Riding in the backseat
They're not currently in control of their emotions

Now you take a rest
Trying to give their heart a break

And just leave it to me
The artist is taking charge of the situation

I'll sing the songs
The artist is taking on the role of leading the relationship

And you keep the beat
Their heart will still be involved in the relationship, just not in a leading role

I'm calling a penalty
The singer is calling for a punishment, possibly for some wrongdoing in the relationship

Our defenses are growing weak
They are feeling vulnerable and exposed

I think what we need is a new strategy
The singer thinks they need to approach the relationship in a different way

A little space between you and me
They need some distance in order to regroup

Sit out on the bench
The singer is metaphorically benching their heart for a while

And take a little time
The artist is giving themselves time to regroup and recover

Don't think it's so bad here on the sidelines
They're trying to reassure their heart that it's okay to take a break

There's no need to frown just because you are done
Even though they're taking a break, their heart will still be involved eventually

I'm not calling defeat
The singer isn't giving up on the relationship