released "Cut the Cord," also on Aspyr.
Norma
Knife In The Water Lyrics
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She keeps herself a heart so soft
Too open, vulnerable to protect
A love too distant to connect
So I said goodbye, goodbye
To my only ever blues
I'm too far away, too far
To feel what she goes through
A blow by blow of her downfall
What one could cut clean and give away
What one could cut clean and give away
And if I didn't know Norma's
Heart for this as now- I would take
I'd take all the liberty she'd allow
Texas only kept me awake
Another interest I won't fake
In a pond and sifting down
Norma is breathing in to drown
In Knife in the Water's song Norma, the poignant lyrics seem to describe a relationship that has come to an end. Norma has had her "ear sheared off," which perhaps indicates that she has suffered some kind of trauma or injury. Despite this, she keeps her heart soft and open, which makes her vulnerable to being hurt. This love is too distant to connect, and so the singer says goodbye to his only ever blues. He is too far away to feel what she is going through, and instead watches a blow-by-blow of her downfall on his television. The lyrics suggest a sense of detachment from the situation, as if the singer cannot fully engage with Norma's struggles.
The song takes a melancholic turn when the singer reflects that if he didn't know Norma's heart as he does now, he would take all the liberties that she would allow. This could be interpreted as a commentary on how we can take people and their love for granted, only to recognise its value once it's gone. The singer then appears to drift away from his interest in Norma and moves on to something else, describing a pond and the silt that sifts down, while Norma is "breathing in to drown." This image suggests that she is struggling, and again the singer seems detached and unable to help.
Overall, the song Norma is a beautiful and melancholic reflection on love, vulnerability and loss. Its poetic, enigmatic lyrics leave plenty of room for interpretation, and the haunting melody only adds to the nostalgic and dream-like quality of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Norma of the Ear sheared off
Norma has undergone a drastic change or trauma that has left her feeling vulnerable and exposed
She keeps herself a heart so soft
Despite her vulnerability, Norma chooses to maintain a kind and sensitive demeanor
Too open, vulnerable to protect
Norma's openness leaves her susceptible to harm, making it difficult for her to safeguard herself from emotional pain
A love too distant to connect
Norma may have trouble finding someone to share her love with or connecting with others on a deeper level
So I said goodbye, goodbye
The artist is saying farewell to someone who is unable to reciprocate their feelings
To my only ever blues
The singer is referencing their own feelings of sadness or depression
I'm too far away, too far
The singer is physically and/or emotionally distant from the subject of the song (presumably Norma)
To feel what she goes through
The artist is unable to empathize with Norma's experiences because of their distance
The television on my wall
The artist is using technology (i.e. TV) to stay connected to Norma's life
A blow by blow of her downfall
The artist is getting a detailed account of Norma's struggles and hardships
What one could cut clean and give away
There are some things in life that can be easily removed or discarded
And if I didn't know Norma's
The artist is expressing how their understanding of Norma has changed over time
Heart for this as now- I would take
If the singer were to meet Norma now, they would try to understand her feelings and experiences more deeply
I'd take all the liberty she'd allow
The singer would try to establish a closer relationship with Norma if given the chance
Texas only kept me awake
The singer is unable to sleep because they are preoccupied with thoughts of Norma
Another interest I won't fake
The artist is honest about their feelings towards Norma and won't pretend to be interested in someone else
In a pond and sifting down
The artist may be feeling isolated and/or overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions
Norma is breathing in to drown
Norma may be struggling to breathe or cope with her difficulties, and the singer is powerless to help her
Contributed by Vivian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.