Shine a light
Kevin Ayers Lyrics

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You shine a light in my darkness
I guess you showed me the way
A chance for love to fly again
A chance for come what may

You brought along the colors
When life was turning, turning gray
You opened up your paint box

And painted the blues away

But you're far away, I can't touch you
You're far away and it's too much to
Feel this way, I've got to be with you

But you're far away, I can't touch you
You're far away and it's too much to
Feel this way, got to be with you

You to me are special
Can't find the words to say
Only that I miss you
Miss you in every way

But you're far away, I can't touch you
You're far away and it's too much to
Feel this way, I've got to be with you

But you're far away and I can't touch you

You're far away and it's too much to
Feel this way, I've got to be with you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kevin Ayers's "Shine a Light" are a tribute to the power of love and its ability to brighten up even the darkest times. The first verse speaks to the way that the love of the singer's partner has helped them find their way through difficult times. The second verse expands on this theme by describing how the colors of life were restored to the singer's world when their partner opened up their "paint box" and showed them the way towards a brighter future.

However, despite this positive message, there is a sense of sadness and longing that permeates the lyrics. The chorus repeats the refrain "you're far away" over and over again, conveying the sense of distance that the singer feels from their partner. Despite the joy that their love brings, the separation between them is a constant struggle. In the final verse, the singer expresses how special their partner is to them, and how they miss them in every aspect of their life.

Overall, the lyrics of "Shine a Light" are a poignant expression of the power of love to overcome even the darkest times. The song is a bittersweet tribute to the power of a long-distance relationship, and the way that it can bring people together even when they are far apart.

Line by Line Meaning

You shine a light in my darkness
You brought light and hope into my life when it was filled with darkness and despair.

I guess you showed me the way
You helped me find my way when I was lost and didn't know what to do.

A chance for love to fly again
You gave me the opportunity to love again after having my heart broken.

A chance for come what may
You encouraged me to take risks and face whatever challenges may come my way.

You brought along the colors
You added vibrancy and joy to my life.

When life was turning, turning gray
When everything seemed dull and boring, you brought excitement and happiness.

You opened up your paint box
You shared your creativity and passion with me.

And painted the blues away
You helped me overcome my sadness and depression.

But you're far away, I can't touch you
Although I miss you, you're not physically here with me.

You're far away and it's too much to
Distance is a challenge because I want to be close to you.

Feel this way, I've got to be with you
I have strong feelings for you and I need to be close to you.