Coming Back
Lewis Furey & Leonard Cohen Lyrics
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I can't turn the other cheek
But you know that I still love you
It's just that I can't speak
I looked for you in everyone
And they called me on that too
I lived alone but I was only
Coming back to you
Ah they're shutting down the factory now
Just when all the bills are due
And the fields they're under lock and key
Tho' the rain and the sun come through
And springtime starts but then it stops
In the name of something new
And all the senses rise against this
Coming back to you
And they're handing down my sentence now
And I know what I must do
Another mile of silence while I'm
Coming back to you
There are many in your life
And many still to be
Since you are a shining light
There's many that you'll see
But I have to deal with envy
When you choose the precious few
Who've left their pride on the other side of
Coming back to you
Even in your arms I know
I'll never get it right
Even when you bend to give me
Comfort in the night
I've got to have your word on this
Or none of it is true
And all I've said was just instead of
Coming back to you
The lyrics to Lewis Furey & Leonard Cohen's song "Coming Back to You" convey a sense of pain and longing, mixed with a deep love for someone. The singer begins by acknowledging that they are still hurting and unable to let go of the past. They express their love for this person but admit they are unable to articulate their feelings, possibly due to the pain they carry.
The second verse takes a more metaphorical approach, depicting the shutting down of a factory as a symbol of the singer's life and their mounting obligations. Despite this, the beauty of the world still manages to shine through, represented by the rain, sun, and the fleeting arrival of spring. It suggests that even though life keeps introducing new challenges and obstacles, there is a constant pull or magnetism that draws the singer back to this person.
The third verse introduces a sense of impending doom, as the singer feels like they are being sentenced, possibly metaphorically or emotionally. They acknowledge the path they must follow, which is marked by silence and distance, suggesting that they have to go through a personal journey or struggle in order to come back to this person.
In the final verse, the singer recognizes that there are many people in the person's life and many more yet to come. They acknowledge the person's radiance and the numerous individuals who are drawn to them. However, the singer also admits to feeling envy when the person chooses only a select few, leaving others, including themselves, on the other side. This envy reflects their desire to be the chosen one, the one who is worthy of the person's love and attention.
The lyrics end with a plea for reassurance from the person. The singer expresses their fear of always falling short, even in the person's arms. They long for the person's affirmation and vow of commitment, as they believe that without it, everything they have said or done is futile. The repetition of "coming back to you" reinforces the theme of longing and the constant desire to return to this person, emphasizing their deep love, despite the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm still hurting
Perhaps I am still experiencing emotional pain
I can't turn the other cheek
I am unable to forgive and forget
But you know that I still love you
However, you are aware that my love for you remains
It's just that I can't speak
The reason is simply that I cannot express it
I looked for you in everyone
I searched for your presence in every person
And they called me on that too
And they criticized me for doing so
I lived alone but I was only
Although I resided alone, I was solely
Coming back to you
Returning to you in my thoughts and feelings
Ah they're shutting down the factory now
Oh, they are closing the factory at this moment
Just when all the bills are due
Precisely when all the debts are supposed to be paid
And the fields they're under lock and key
Moreover, the fields are locked and secured
Tho' the rain and the sun come through
Even though the rain and sunshine continue to reach them
And springtime starts but then it stops
Furthermore, the season of spring commences but abruptly halts
In the name of something new
In the pursuit of something novel
And all the senses rise against this
And all my instincts resist this
Coming back to you
Returning once again to you in my thoughts and feelings
And they're handing down my sentence now
Currently, they are delivering my punishment
And I know what I must do
And I am aware of my obligations
Another mile of silence while I'm
Another stretch of distance filled with silence as I am
Coming back to you
Returning to you in my thoughts and feelings once more
There are many in your life
You have numerous people in your life
And many still to be
And many more are yet to come
Since you are a shining light
Because you are a radiant source of light
There's many that you'll see
There are many individuals that you will encounter
But I have to deal with envy
However, I have to confront feelings of jealousy
When you choose the precious few
When you select only a select few
Who've left their pride on the other side of
Those who have relinquished their egos and arrogance in favor of
Coming back to you
Returning to you in my thoughts and feelings again
Even in your arms I know
Even while embraced by you, I am aware
I'll never get it right
I will never fully succeed or comprehend it
Even when you bend to give me
Even when you stoop down to offer me
Comfort in the night
Solace during the darkness
I've got to have your word on this
I must have your assurance or agreement regarding this matter
Or none of it is true
Otherwise, none of it holds any truth
And all I've said was just instead of
And all I have expressed was merely a substitute for
Coming back to you
Returning to you in my thoughts and feelings once again
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LEONARD COHEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind