In The Air Tonight
Lucy Dacus Lyrics
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Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am
Well I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well I remember, I remember, don't worry, how could I ever forget
It's the first time, the last time we ever met
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, oh no you don't fool me
Well the hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows
It's no stranger to you and me
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
Lucy Dacus's version of "In The Air Tonight" is a hauntingly beautiful take on the classic Phil Collins hit. The song starts with a feeling of anticipation as Dacus sings "I can feel it coming in the air tonight." The repetition of the phrase "oh Lord" adds a spiritual element to the lyrics, suggesting that something momentous is about to happen.
The second verse is more confrontational, as Dacus addresses an unnamed person who has lied to her in the past. She says "if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand," before revealing that she knows the person's true character because she "saw what you did" with her own eyes. The chorus repeats, but now it seems more urgent as Dacus sings "I've been waiting for this moment for all my life."
The third verse is the most introspective, as Dacus reflects on a meeting with the person from the second verse. She says it was the "first time, the last time we ever met," suggesting that this moment was significant and has stayed with her. Despite the person's attempts to hide their pain, Dacus can still see that it "grows" inside of them.
Overall, Dacus's version of "In The Air Tonight" emphasizes the emotional weight of the lyrics in a way that feels personal and intimate. It's a powerful reimagining of a classic song that will resonate with listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
I sense a momentous event about to happen, and I ask God if he can sense it too.
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
I ask God again if he senses the momentous event that I feel is about to happen.
Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
If you were in trouble, I wouldn't help you, even though we know each other.
I've seen your face before my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am
We have met before, but I am not sure if you recognize me.
Well I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
I was present when you did something wrong, and I personally witnessed it.
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been
Don't smile now, as I am aware of your bad behavior.
It's all been a pack of lies
All your false statements and actions are exposed now.
I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I have been waiting for this crucial moment for my entire life, and I ask God for his guidance.
Well I remember, I remember, don't worry, how could I ever forget
I remember our last encounter clearly, and there's no way I could forget about it.
It's the first time, the last time we ever met
Our last meeting was both our first and last, and we are unlikely to meet again.
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, oh no you don't fool me
I know why you are staying silent, and I am not fooled by your act.
Well the hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows
You don't display any hurt, but the pain inside you keeps growing.
It's no stranger to you and me
We both know what it's like to feel pain.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Phil Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Braydin Baker
What the actual hell. This is such an amazing cover. It sent me shivers. Its basically a female version of phil collins. Little slower and quieter. But thats fine. Good Job Lucy. Keep up the good voice
Matt Williams
What does it add to the original? I'm curious. I listened to it, and enjoy it... with relation to it being familiar. But I can';t help but hear the layered vocals, the autotune, and the production... And I almost feel like that detracts from the simplicity of the song.
Braydin Baker
@Matt Williams alright let me explain. The auto tune is basically trying to sound like Phil Collins. If you listen to him. It’s 100% voice. No one can do that voice. So she’s using auto tune to sound like it. Yeah it’s different. But it’s a female version. Phil Collins will always be original and no one can ever sound the same as him
Larry C
@Matt Williams while I agree, I also think it's a performer's "job" to re-interpret originals...that's what artists do
Matt Williams
@Larry C Jimmy Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower", Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Little Wing" and Mark Lanegan and Maggie Borklund's "Nutshell" ... These are covers that personalize and transcend the originals.
This Phil Collins cover, not so much.
Larry C
@Matt Williams again, I don't think it's the artist's "job" to produce a cover that :"transcends" the original (whatever that means)....to me it's about the artist putting their personal interpretation out there.....it's all a matter of opinion anyway, music's not a contest
Jana
I’d been listening to more Lucy Dacus because Paul Mescal complimented her music a couple of years ago, and then I saw her live at Hinterlands. But Hanif Muhammad called this cover out today on IG, and she really does understand the pre-drum tension. Well done.
Ryan Anthony ™
I like this version! Great job!!!
Nate Gnau
Okay, so this one’s for the Phil fans that just no matter how hard someone ROCKS a cover of this absolute banger:
Drop the cynicism, please. Nobody is trying to outdo the original song, or Phil himself. The fact that there are so many covers of this song should ring through as a tribute.
To Lucy, new fan here, well done. This is stellar.
Braddah B
The original has such an allure to it with so much power that its a tough act to follow but this version creates its own feeling. Its has its own mystique that only she could make cause her voice carries an x factor to it that i think does enough justice to the original. Yes this is and always will be Phil Collins’ song but this Lucy girl has done a damn good job with this cover.