Blue Like Mars
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


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Baby you know it's not about you
Orbiting as it is around you
Soon to be clear
Beyond your domain

Doesn't it stink to be human?
Fallible, weak. So tiresome
How could a god create a beast so low?
How should I know?

Baby you know it's not about you

All of the bars around the black holes
Teeming with freedmen and glorioles
Waiting for new stars to break on through

Brokers and lawyers in the back rooms
Briefcases filled with profane sums
Cadillac waiting by the sub-space port
All aboard

Baby you know it's not about you
Baby you know it's not about you

Neutron Star
Beautiful remnant in the night sky
Blue like any other street light
Afraid of the dark
Afraid of nothing
Afraid of the future
When it's not about you

Baby you know it's not about you
Orbiting as it is around you
Soon to be clear
Beyond your domain

Three volcanoes and a rose bush




Soon to be nothing, soon enough
Seven of diamonds to the eight of spades

Overall Meaning

The song "Blue Like Mars" by Lloyd Cole is a reflection on human insignificance in the grand scheme of the universe. The opening lines, "Baby you know it's not about you, Orbiting as it is around you, Soon to be clear, Beyond your domain," suggest that the singer is addressing someone who thinks the world revolves around them. The use of the word "orbiting" implies that the person is not the center of the universe, and that there is a larger picture beyond their individual perspective. The repetition of the phrase "Baby you know it's not about you" reinforces this idea.


The second verse shifts the focus to the wider universe, with references to black holes, new stars, and the fantastical image of "brokers and lawyers in the back rooms, Briefcases filled with profane sums, Cadillac waiting by the sub-space port." This serves to further reinforce the idea that human endeavors and preoccupations are relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of things.


The song's title refers to neutron stars, a type of astronomical object that is formed from the collapsed core of a massive star. Neutron stars are incredibly dense and emit radiation, making them visible to telescopes. The image of a "beautiful remnant in the night sky" suggests that even in the vast expanse of space, there is something that can be appreciated and admired.


Overall, "Blue Like Mars" is a reflection on human insignificance in the face of the universe's immensity, and the need to look beyond oneself to find meaning and perspective.


Line by Line Meaning

Baby you know it's not about you
This song isn't directed towards you and your actions


Orbiting as it is around you
Even though you're the center of attention, this song isn't about you


Soon to be clear
The truth about the situation will soon reveal itself


Beyond your domain
This is outside of your control or influence


All of the bars around the black holes
A description of the vastness of space and the mystery it holds


Teeming with freedmen and glorioles
The idea that people are waiting for something new and exciting to happen


Waiting for new stars to break on through
People are waiting for something to happen that will change everything


Brokers and lawyers in the back rooms
The more seedy side of business and the people who control it


Briefcases filled with profane sums
An allusion to illegal or unethical activities


Cadillac waiting by the sub-space port
A reference to the idea of luxury and wealth


All aboard
Let's get going and see what's out there


Neutron Star
A reference to the power and energy of the universe


Beautiful remnant in the night sky
Even the most stunning parts of the universe have their own vulnerabilities


Blue like any other street light
The idea that something that's amazing to one person is everyday to another


Afraid of the dark
Even the most powerful and impressive things can have their weaknesses and fears


Afraid of nothing
Despite its insecurities, the universe is still the most powerful force we know


Afraid of the future
Even the universe has a sense of uncertainty about what's to come


When it's not about you
Even with all these vast and impressive things happening, it's important to remember that the world does not revolve around you


Three volcanoes and a rose bush
A reference to the beauty and magnificence of nature


Soon to be nothing, soon enough
Even the most incredible parts of nature will eventually fade away


Seven of diamonds to the eight of spades
An abstract conclusion to the song that leaves the listener to their own interpretation




Writer(s): Lloyd Cole

Contributed by Sydney K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Michael Timson

Best song ever?

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