Suntan
Lotus Lyrics


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You gave me a sun tan
You gave me a jar of dirt
You gave me a heartache
That never hurts
You gave me a coy smile
You gave me a tiny shell
You said come over
And stay a while

I went to the west coast
I made no plans
Your smile so bright
I got a sun tan
The sky turned angry
And the clouds rolled in
Being truthful
Was my only sin

Now I′m twisted in the head
About things i should have said
To you

You gave me a your full gaze
You gave me a second chance
You gave me unspoken
List of cans and cants
I left my heart there
I left my castle of sand
I left with one thing
A new sun tan

Now I'm twisted in the head
About things i should have said
To you





Shine your light
Right on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lotus's song "Suntan" speak to the joy and pain of a romantic experience. The singer recounts the various things that their lover has given them - a sun tan, a jar of dirt, a heartache that "never hurts," a coy smile, and a tiny shell. The relationship appears to be playful and carefree, as the person asks the singer to "come over and stay a while." The singer then travels to the west coast and gets a literal sun tan - a physical manifestation of the happiness they feel in the relationship. However, the weather changes, and the metaphorical clouds roll in when the singer realizes that they should have been more truthful with their feelings. They express regret for not saying what they should have, and are left "twisted in the head" as a result.


The second half of the song focuses on the aftermath of the relationship. The lover gives the singer a "second chance" and an unspoken list of "cans and cants." The singer's heart is left in the relationship, and they feel emotionally exposed, like a castle of sand. The only thing they have left from the experience is the sun tan - a bittersweet reminder of the joy and pain of the connection. The song ends with a plea to the lover to "shine your light right on me," perhaps indicating a desire for reconciliation or closure.


Overall, the lyrics are rich with imagery and emotion, conveying the highs and lows of a romantic experience. The relationships depicted in the song are complex, and the singer's feelings are messy and conflicting. Through it all, however, there is a sense of gratitude for the experience, even as the singer acknowledges the pain it has caused.


Line by Line Meaning

You gave me a sun tan
You made me feel warmth and happiness.


You gave me a jar of dirt
You gave me something insignificant and useless.


You gave me a heartache That never hurts
You caused me emotional pain that doesn't diminish over time.


You gave me a coy smile
You gave me a shy, flirtatious smile.


You gave me a tiny shell
You gave me something small and delicate.


You said come over And stay a while
You invited me to spend time with you.


I went to the west coast I made no plans Your smile so bright I got a sun tan
I traveled to a new place without a plan and your happiness made me feel good.


The sky turned angry And the clouds rolled in Being truthful Was my only sin
The weather turned bad and I regret being honest with myself and others.


Now I'm twisted in the head About things i should have said To you
I'm troubled with thoughts of what I could have said to you.


You gave me a your full gaze You gave me a second chance You gave me unspoken List of cans and cants
You gave me your undivided attention, another opportunity, and a list of your expectations.


I left my heart there I left my castle of sand I left with one thing A new sun tan
I left behind something important to me, but I gained a new perspective.


Now I'm twisted in the head About things i should have said To you
I'm still troubled with thoughts of what I could have said to you.


Shine your light Right on me
Brighten up my life and guide me towards happiness.




Writer(s): Luke Miller

Contributed by Ellie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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