Phair's 1993 debut studio album, Exile in Guyville, was released to acclaim; it has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Phair followed this with her second album, Whip-Smart (1994), which earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, and Whitechocolatespaceegg (1998). Ten years after the release of her debut, Phair's fourth album, Liz Phair (2003), released on Capitol Records, moved towards pop rock, earning her a mainstream audience but alienating critics.
After the release of her fifth album, Somebody's Miracle (2005), Phair left Capitol and released her sixth album Funstyle independently in 2010. In 2018, it was announced that Matador Records would be releasing a retrospective set for Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville which includes remastered recordings from her original Girly-Sound demo tapes. Phair released her seventh studio album, Soberish, in 2021.
SomeBody
Liz Phair Lyrics
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That it seems like I may never know how
People stay in love for half of their lives
It's a secret they keep between husbands and wives
Baby, There goes somebody's miracle
Walking down the street
There goes some other fairy tale
But I look at myself
Wonderin' if I'm just too weak
To have such faith in myself
Once upon a time I was so restless in love
When things we're fine, I changed my mind just because
Now I see how wrong and reckless I've been
Each frog has a prince just waiting inside of him
Baby, There goes somebody's miracle
Walking down the street
There goes some other fairy tale
I wish it could happen to me
But I look at myself, and I think what the hell
Maybe I'm just too naive
To have such faith in myself
You know I'm praying for it
But the queen, she likes to sit on her throne
Doesn't mean you two are never alone
It's just love has needs that love only knows
Watch a couple stay close, It's like the bloom of a rose
Baby, There goes somebody's miracle
Walking down the street
There goes some other fairy tale
I wish it could happen to me
There goes somebody's miracle
Walking down the street
There goes some other fairy tale
I never cry out loud, I
I keep my tears to myself
But I woke up one day and I found my life had left me for someone else
I, I guess it must be unhappy with me
Baby, There goes somebody's miracle
Walking down the street
There goes some other fairy tale
I wish it could happen to me
But I look at myself
Wondering if I'm just too weak
To have such faith in myself
You know I'm praying for it
You know I'm praying for it
You know I'm praying for it
In Liz Phair's song "Somebody," the singer expresses a feeling of distance from love and relationships. She notes that staying in love seems like a secret that only husbands and wives understand. She sees happy couples around her and longs for the same feeling, but she wonders if she is too weak or naive to find love herself. The chorus repeats the idea of "somebody's miracle" and "some other fairy tale," highlighting the singer's perception of love as something that happens to other people but not to her.
The song takes a reflective tone, as the singer describes a time when she was "restless in love" and made impulsive decisions that led to heartbreak. She recognizes her mistake but still struggles to have faith in herself and in the possibility of finding true love. The final verse hints at some personal turmoil, as she reveals that she has been holding back her tears and wakes up to find that her life has left her for someone else.
Overall, "Somebody" is a poignant exploration of the complexities and uncertainties of romantic relationships. The lyrics capture the singer's longing for connection and her inner turmoil as she tries to reconcile her past mistakes and find hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm so far, so far away from it now
The singer is disconnected from the idea of long-lasting love.
That it seems like I may never know how
The singer doubts that she will ever understand how others maintain love for such a long time.
People stay in love for half of their lives
The singer acknowledges that some individuals are able to love their partners for an extended period of time.
It's a secret they keep between husbands and wives
The artist implies that the key to a long-lasting relationship lies in some mysterious, intangible factor that isn't easily defined or shared with others.
Baby, there goes somebody's miracle, walking down the street
The artist observes a happy couple and laments the fact that they have something that she seemingly lacks.
There goes some other fairy tale, I wish it could happen to me
The singer desires a happy ending of her own.
But I look at myself, wondering if I'm just too weak
The singer questions whether she possesses the strength and resilience required to nurture a long-lasting relationship.
Once upon a time I was so restless in love
The artist used to be chaotic and unpredictable when it came to matters of the heart.
When things were fine, I changed my mind just because
The artist would sabotage her own happiness even when things were going well in her relationship.
Now I see how wrong and reckless I've been
The artist is reflecting on her past mistakes and acknowledging how her behavior may have led to her current circumstances.
Each frog has a prince just waiting inside of him
The singer believes that every person has hidden potential that may not be immediately apparent.
But the queen, she likes to sit on her throne
The artist is highlighting the idea that people tend to hold onto power and control in relationships.
Doesn't mean you two are never alone
The singer clarifies that even in relationships where one partner seems to dominate, there can still be moments of intimacy and connection.
It's just love has needs that love only knows
The singer contends that love operates in a way that may be difficult to understand or articulate, but must be honored and respected nonetheless.
Watch a couple stay close, it's like the bloom of a rose
The singer admires couples who are able to maintain a loving connection, describing it as a beautiful and vibrant thing to witness.
I never cry out loud, I keep my tears to myself
The artist bottles up her feelings of disappointment and longing, rarely expressing them outwardly.
But I woke up one day and I found my life had left me for someone else
The artist has experienced heartbreak and abandonment, which has led to her feelings of loneliness and hopelessness.
I guess it must be unhappy with me
The singer blames herself for the end of her relationship, feeling as though she was not enough to make her partner happy.
You know I'm praying for it
The singer is holding out hope for a happier future, where she might find love and fulfillment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LIZ PHAIR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J G
Liz Phair grabbed my heart a few years ago and never let go. I now own almost all her albums. It took a few listens and then it clicked! She’s now my favorite all-around female musician. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes nasty, but never disappointing – Liz Phair!!
FELICIDAD LOPEZ
Definitely Saw it in Charmed in 2005, and now again rewatching the series !!! So many good memories I remember how good this song made me feel, I was a teen of course ❤️ "I wish It can happen to me..." Love the song!
Jezzy Daizy
Felicidad Lopez - I did too just now lmao
Krystal Zuniga
Felicidad Lopez <3
Rosie Hill
Charmed is my favorite show! I keep rewatching the series because it’s so good!
Connor Lloyd
Glad I’m not the only one! Charmed is the best
Hasu Ra
took me 10 years to remember who sings this song and then another 2 months to find it again after I lost my data from my MacBook!! Life is good when you watch Charmed !!
Sherry
This is a great song. I heard it on charmed to the first time. I loved the series charmed, great show it was!
thejimmyzshow
Deeply sentimental and hopeful. I love this song.
Craig Kensy
I do think Somebody's Miracle was her best album!!