What's Left For You?
Jon Gomm Lyrics
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And tears are streaming down the window pain
I contemplate nothing
Old man sits down and faces me
He's got a smile, i think it's aimed at me
He says "i know your problem"
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?"
I ask "what the hell's that supposed to mean?"
He says "listen man, you're the door now here's the key
Just open up and you're free"
"you wonder why you never understand
And everybody seems to have their masterplans
But you don't know nothing"
"if music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?"
When he disappeared (when he disappeared)
All that remained (all that remained)
Was his smile
But his words they seemed like mockery
And nobody's allowed to teach me
Nobody can teach me nothing
If music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?
If music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?
If music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?
If music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?
The lyrics of Jon Gomm's "What's Left For You" tell the story of the singer's journey as he sits on a train, feeling lost and directionless. He is lost in thought, and tears are streaming down the windowpane, indicating that he is sad and troubled. Suddenly an old man sits down opposite him and smiles at him, triggering a conversation. The old man seems to know what's plaguing the singer, and he asks him a question which soon becomes the recurring refrain of the song: "If music's for dancing, And magic's for the spellbound, And love is for lovers, What's left for you?"
The message the old man seeks to convey is that, while music, magic, and love have their own purposes, the singer has yet to discover what his unique purpose is, what he can contribute to the world. The man encourages the singer to open the door and find his key to unlocking his inner self that would set him free. The singer, however, is still lost, and the old man's words seem like mockery. His final question "If music's for dancing, And magic's for the spellbound, And love is for lovers, What's left for you?" remains unanswered and lingers on in the listener's mind.
Overall, the song is a soul-searching reflection on finding one's sense of purpose in life. It is a reminder that we all have a unique talent, something to contribute, and we need to open ourselves to discovering it.
Line by Line Meaning
On a train, the landscape is a rush-a-grey
The view from the train is quickly passing by and feels dull and uninspiring.
And tears are streaming down the window pain
The singer is crying, likely feeling lost or hopeless.
I contemplate nothing
The singer is filled with despair and is unable to find a reason for things.
Old man sits down and faces me
An elderly man takes a seat in front of the artist.
He's got a smile, i think it's aimed at me
The elderly man appears friendly towards the artist, giving them a moment of hope.
He says 'i know your problem'
The elderly man claims to know what's troubling the singer.
'if music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?'
The elderly man brings up the idea that art and love might be things the singer feels they can't relate to, making them wonder what's left for them in life.
I ask 'what the hell's that supposed to mean?'
The artist is confused and in disbelief over what the elderly man has said.
He says 'listen man, you're the door now here's the key
Just open up and you're free'
The man instructs the artist to open their mind, implying they'll feel more free and content as a result.
'you wonder why you never understand
And everybody seems to have their masterplans
But you don't know nothing'
The elderly man calls out the artist's confusion surrounding life, pointing out that they are out of the loop compared to others.
When he disappeared (when he disappeared)
All that remained (all that remained)
Was his smile
The elderly man leaves only his happy demeanor behind, which leaves the singer to question the validity of his words.
But his words they seemed like mockery
And nobody's allowed to teach me
Nobody can teach me nothing
The artist feels like the elderly man was messing with them, and that they are alone in their search for meaning.
'if music's for dancing
And magic's for the spellbound
And love is for lovers
What's left for you?'
The repeated rhetorical question is a reminder of the singer's initial sense of despair upon hearing it.
Contributed by Jayden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jon Gomm
Asia tour starts next week. Please help out this weird-guitar songbeard by spreading the word to anyone you know in the vicinity of these places...
11/27 - Guitar Workshop - Hong Kong (at Guitar Concept Music Centre)
11/28 - Clockenflap Festival - Hong Kong
11/29 - All Waves Festival - Seoul, South Korea
12/2 - The Ivy, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
12/3 - DDC Dawn Dusk Club, Beijing, China
12/4 - Line Out, Hangzhou, China
12/5 - YuYin Tang, Shanghai, China
Apparently it's 27°celsius in Hong Kong, and -22° in Mongolia. I'm packing my thermal sunglasses.
James Dowse
I am not sure if it's your ability to express yourself musically, or a sign of my emotional instability, but you've left tears on the face of a 35 year old man. I hope you make it back to Louth again one day!
Jon Gomm
+DZXDachande Let them flow, dude! :D
James Dowse
+Jon Gomm Haha! That shouldn't be a problem as long as you keep doing what you're doing! I'm sure I'm not alone when I say thank you for making me cry in one of the best ways possible. :)
Magnus Guitar
James Dowse One of Jon's songs will touch a string somewhere with me and make me cry almost everyday but in the most uplifting way possible.
Mike Gottschau
Jon, you're a genius. Fell in love with Passionflower a few years ago and your music still sounds cutting edge. A true inspiration, really.
John Dawson 1959
The experience of watching Jon play live leaves you spellbound and amazed.
Jones Heiderich
Você é incrível, acompanho todos seus sons, ficaria feliz se um dia viesse ao Brasil.
Kyle Murphy
I saw your performance live in Camden and I was moved. Thank you Jon Gomm, I appreciate what you do and regret not telling you this in person. Stay strong, and keep touching the hearts of us, your fans :)
Giampaolo Ferranti
I truly believe that Jon is the greatest artist at the moment
Scramble
So powerful! The lyric "Nobody can teach me nothing." was so poignant!