Wide Awake
Kevin Ayers Lyrics
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I need to cry but I can't weep
Feeling that I've lost control
Where's my spirit, where's my very soul?
What's the future? There's no cheer
Feeling too much doubt and fear
I hide and run, I run and hide
Ooh, I'm wide awake and there's you
Giving me a shake and it's true
Love is what pulls us through
It's so good when you're by my side
No longer need to run and hide
And when I'm dancing, singing along
Nothing seems to be so right or wrong
Don't you worry, don't you sigh
It's not on you that I rely
You sing love, I sing along
Celebration in this song for you
Ooh, I'm wide awake and there's you
Giving me a shake and it's true
Love is what pulls us through
Ooh, I'm wide awake and there's you
Giving me a shake and it's true
Love is what pulls us through
The song "Wide Awake" by Kevin Ayers is a melancholic yet hopeful ode to love and the power it has to anchor the soul in troubled times. The opening lines set the mood for a restless night where the singer is unable to find solace in sleep or tears. The anxiety and sense of being lost in the world are also evident in the lines "Feeling that I've lost control/ Where's my spirit, where's my very soul?" These questions about purpose and identity are not uncommon for people going through difficult times, but the song offers a glimmer of hope that love can indeed pull us through.
The chorus of the song is a mantra of sorts, with the repetition of "Ooh, I'm wide awake and there's you/ Giving me a shake and it's true/ Love is what pulls us through." Here, the singer acknowledges the importance of having someone they love by their side to provide comfort and stability in the face of uncertainty. This person is not a savior, but a supportive presence that helps the singer face the world outside their dreams. The final verse assures this person that they are not alone in carrying the burden of love as they sing along with the singer, celebrating the joy and healing power of love.
Overall, "Wide Awake" is a beautiful and introspective song that captures the essence of what it means to feel lost and anxious, yet still be able to find hope in the company of those we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Another night and I can't sleep
I am lying awake at night, unable to fall asleep
I need to cry but I can't weep
I feel like crying but am unable to shed tears
Feeling that I've lost control
I am overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness and lack of control
Where's my spirit, where's my very soul?
I am searching for my inner spirit and soul, which feels lost or absent
What's the future? There's no cheer
I am uncertain about the future and feel a sense of foreboding
Feeling too much doubt and fear
I am filled with doubt and fear, which is causing me distress
I hide and run, I run and hide
I am avoiding confronting my problems and instead trying to escape them
I just can't face the world outside my dreaming
I am struggling to cope with reality and instead retreating to a world of fantasy
Ooh, I'm wide awake and there's you
I am now alert and aware of my surroundings and you are here with me
Giving me a shake and it's true
You are shaking me out of my negative headspace and it feels genuine
Love is what pulls us through
Our love for each other is what helps us overcome our struggles and hardships
It's so good when you're by my side
I feel comforted and supported when you are with me
No longer need to run and hide
I feel confident and safe with you, and no longer feel the need to avoid my problems
And when I'm dancing, singing along
I feel happy and carefree when I am dancing and singing with you
Nothing seems to be so right or wrong
When I am with you, everything feels okay and there are no clear right or wrong choices
Don't you worry, don't you sigh
You don't need to worry or feel dejected
It's not on you that I rely
I know that I cannot solely rely on you to solve my problems or make me feel better
You sing love, I sing along
You express your love and I join in, sharing my own feelings
Celebration in this song for you
This song is a celebration of our love and the happiness it brings us
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN CAWLEY AYERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BorerayNYC
Many thanks Kevin for all the joy that you gave to the world, You'll be missed,..Rock on.
Charlie Uliginosa
So like a Soft Machine song.