So You'd Like To Save The World
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


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So you'd like to save the world
I suggest you take one person at a time
And start with me
Not an ordinary girl
Not someone that I should rear upon
And ask hey what you sign baby
Have you been reading my mind
Nothing more or less to rest will
Could I keep you in mind
Did you really cry
Then you saw the hole in the sky
Did you really hold your head
And hide your eyes
That's alright
You might call it ultraviolet radiation
It's only sunlight
So you'd like to save my world
If you could free my inner child
And I could free your inambition baby
Or would you like to mother me
I love the way you wear that motorola generation cheek mama
So you'd like to save the world
I'd really like to help you
I'd really like to be you for a while
Is that alright
And I could call it ultraviolet radiation
It's only sunlight
Don't you know
It's only sunlight




It's only sunlight
But you might call it ultraviolet radiation

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lloyd Cole's song "So You'd Like To Save The World" speak to the desire to make a difference in the world, but recognize the need to start with oneself before attempting to tackle the larger problems. The singer suggests that the first step in saving the world is to take care of one person at a time and starts by suggesting that they begin with him or herself. In the following lines, the singer acknowledges that they are not an ordinary person and it wouldn't make sense to treat them as such. They ask the person trying to save the world, whether they have been reading their mind, indicating a shared understanding of the problems faced by the world.


The singer then goes on to question whether the person trying to save the world cried at the sight of the hole in the sky, suggesting that they are aware of the environmental issues that plague the planet. The mention of "ultraviolet radiation" is likely a reference to the depletion of the ozone layer and its dangerous effects. The singer then turns the focus back to themselves and invites the other person to free their inner child with the hope that they can reciprocate the same favor. The singer ends the song by acknowledging that their problems might also be seen as small in the larger scheme of things and that it's only sunlight.


Overall, the lyrics of the song are about recognizing that small changes can make a big difference in the world, and that change starts with oneself. The singer recognizes that they are unique and complex and can't be simplified into an "ordinary girl," and accepts that making a difference in the world is a process that requires one's own growth and self-acceptance.


Line by Line Meaning

So you'd like to save the world
You have a desire to make a difference globally.


I suggest you take one person at a time
It is important to start small and help individuals one by one.


And start with me
An offer to let the listener begin helping by starting with the singer.


Not an ordinary girl
The artist is unique and not a typical person to offer help to.


Not someone that I should rear upon
The artist should not be expected to act a certain way based on societal expectations.


And ask hey what you sign baby
The singer is different from others and is not concerned with typical small talk or societal norms.


Have you been reading my mind
The singer is curious if the listener can connect with them on a deeper level.


Nothing more or less to rest will
The artist is content with themselves and doesn't need external validation.


Could I keep you in mind
A request for the listener to be remembered for possible future assistance.


Did you really cry
The artist is questioning if the listener was emotionally affected by a recent event.


Then you saw the hole in the sky
Referring to an environmental crisis that the listener may have witnessed.


Did you really hold your head
Another question about the listener's emotional response to a situation.


And hide your eyes
The singer is asking if the listener tried to avoid seeing something uncomfortable.


That's alright
Assurance that the listener's response was acceptable.


You might call it ultraviolet radiation
Referring to the environmental crisis mentioned earlier and how it may be perceived.


It's only sunlight
A reminder that even something as dangerous as ultraviolet radiation is still just a natural occurrence.


So you'd like to save my world
The artist is inviting the listener to help make their world, or personal life, better.


If you could free my inner child
The singer is asking for help in removing emotional barriers, specifically relating to childhood experiences.


And I could free your inambition baby
In return, the singer is offering to help the listener break down barriers to their ambition or life goals.


Or would you like to mother me
The artist is suggesting that the listener may want to provide nurturing support.


I love the way you wear that motorola generation cheek mama
Complimenting the listener's unique style and personality.


I'd really like to help you
The artist is reciprocating the listener's desire to make a positive difference in the world.


I'd really like to be you for a while
An offer to switch places with the listener for a time, to better understand each other's perspectives.


Is that alright
Asking for the listener's permission before engaging in further dialogue.


And I could call it ultraviolet radiation
Returning to the environmental crisis mentioned earlier and how it may be perceived.


It's only sunlight
A reminder that even something as dangerous as ultraviolet radiation is still just a natural occurrence.


Don't you know
A playful reminder that the listener should be aware of this fact.


It's only sunlight
Repeating the reminder that the perceived danger is still just a natural occurrence.


It's only sunlight
A final reminder that the perceived danger is still just a natural occurrence.


But you might call it ultraviolet radiation
A final reference to the environmental crisis and how it may be perceived.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LLOYD COLE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@stevies5

Wonderful!! A hidden gem! 🥰

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