Boat Behind
Kings of Convenience Lyrics


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So we meet again
after several years
several years of separation
moving on
moving around

Did we spend this time chasing the other's tail?
Singing
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you

Winter and spring
Summer and fall
You're the wind surfer crossing the ocean and the boat behind
Skiffle and rag, shuffle and waltz
You're the up tip toe ballerina in the chorus line:
Singing
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you

River and sea, picking up salt
Through the air there's a fluffly cloud falling down as rain
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you - oohooh




I could never belong to you -ooh ooh
I could never belong to you -ooh ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kings of Convenience's song "Boat Behind" quite obviously talk about a reunion of two people who have been separated for years. The song reflects on their time apart and the memories shared but realizes that they have to move on with their lives. There is a sense of bitterness in the lyrics as the singer questions whether they spent their time chasing each other or moving on with their lives separately. The chorus of the song says, "Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you," which signifies that no matter how hard they try, they cannot get back together as they have both grown up and their paths are different.


The song uses metaphorical language to describe the different seasons of life through the lens of surfing and sailing. The singer compares the other person to a windsurfer who crosses the ocean and the boat behind. This portrays the other person as someone who is much more adventurous and outgoing, while the singer is more of an observer. They also use the metaphor of being a ballerina in a chorus line to signify that they are not the main character in the other person's life, but simply a supporting cast. Even though they have shared many moments, they are not meant to be together.


Overall, the song is a reflection on how life can lead two people in different directions, no matter how much they shared in the past. While both parties may have fond memories together, they have both grown up and cannot go back to the way things were.


Line by Line Meaning

So we meet again
After a long separation, we have finally met once again.


after several years
We have not seen each other for many years.


several years of separation
We have been separated for many years.


moving on
We have both been living our lives and progressing forward.


moving around
We have both been traveling and changing locations.


Did we spend this time chasing the other's tail?
Did we spend this time constantly pursuing each other?


Winter and spring
Throughout the changing seasons of the year.


Summer and fall
Through all the varying times of the year.


You're the wind surfer crossing the ocean and the boat behind
You are someone who is constantly moving forward, leaving me behind.


Skiffle and rag, shuffle and waltz
No matter how we dance or move, we will never be in harmony with each other.


You're the up tip toe ballerina in the chorus line:
You are the one standing out and taking the spotlight, while I remain in the background.


River and sea, picking up salt
Traveling through different bodies of water, experiencing different environments.


Through the air there's a fluffly cloud falling down as rain
There is a sense of heaviness and sadness in the atmosphere.


Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
No matter what, we will never be able to belong to each other.


I could never belong to you -ooh ooh
No matter what, we will never be able to be together.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DAVIDE BERTOLINI, EIRIK GLAMBEK BOE, ERLEND OTRE OEYE, TOBIAS HETT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@beckyyeung7282

So we meet again
after several years
several years of separation
moving on
moving around
Did we spend this time chasing the other's tail?
Singing
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Winter and spring
Summer and fall
You're the wind surfer crossing the ocean and the boat behind
Skiffle and rag, shuffle and waltz
You're the up tip toe ballerina in the chorus line:
Singing
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
River and sea, picking up salt
Through the air there's a fluffly cloud falling down as rain
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you
Ohohohoh, I could never belong to you - oohooh
I could never belong to you -ooh ooh
I could never belong to you -ooh ooh



All comments from YouTube:

@Lightzrave

I think this is about the fleeting nature of encounters - "I could never belong to you". The joy of meeting new people, but the melancholy of knowing that you're going to leave them behind as well. Interesting, great video.

@bag2963

Hello Thomas, but why necessarily so? Like you met your wife for the first tome too, or your best friend, were you thinking the same(just for example). It’s an interesting topic indeed. Btw just discovered Kings Of Convenience, it’s wonderful(and yeah, don’t mind getting a reply 10 years later lol).

@Thoughtmonger

somebody read your message 10 years later but the music still hitting that the same feelings.

@fouzanium

At least you could still check in on someone social media nowadays

@aliceynpowell8848

I think about this comment every time I meet someone and fall in love with their potential

@darkgamersupreme2348

@@aliceynpowell8848 what do you mean by their potential?

5 More Replies...

@edenafterdeath

I remember when I was younger I would hear this song playing from my big sister’s room. I loved hearing it so much man. I spent the next few years trying to find the band behind the song and I finally found them a few months ago :) My big sister moved out already, so now as a 15 year old I play them for my little sister lol

@elmaynardo53

You have renewed my hope in the youth of today. Thank you!

@oONodokaOo

You're creating good memories for her now! 😊

@1122Manymany

So we meet again
after twelve years
a whole twelve years of separation!

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