The Silence
Manchester Orchestra Lyrics


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Why do I deserve the science to feel better about you?

At a loss I lost my cool
I denied that I found you

I tried to be a basket case
I did not surprise you
I'm trying to find a signal fire
Let me know when I should move

But you, amplified in the silence
Justified in the way you make me bruise
Magnified in the science
Anatomically proved that you don't need me

Why do I desire the space?
I was mourning after you

I was lost and lost my shape
There was nothing I could do

I don't want to waste away
It was all I gave to you

Take me back and take my place
I will rise right up for you

But you, amplified in the silence
Justified in the way you make me bruise
Magnified in the science
Anatomically proved that you don't need me

All the while you waste away, you're asking
"Did I really need another one to take me down?"
Everybody knows it's something that you had to live with darling
Nobody's gonna tear you down now
There is nothing you keep, there is only your reflection

(There is only your reflection) There was nothing but quiet retractions
And families pleading, "Don't look in that cabinet,
There's far more bad than there's good, I don't know how it got there"

That was something your father had burned in me
Twenty hours out of Homestake eternity
"You can go anywhere but you are where you came from"

Little girl you are cursed by my ancestry
There is nothing but darkness and agony
I can not only see, but you stopped me from blinking

Let me watch you as close as a memory




Let me hold you above all the misery
Let me open my eyes and be glad that I got here

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Manchester Orchestra's "The Silence" evoke feelings of confusion, desperation, and longing. The opening line, "Why do I deserve the science to feel better about you?" shows the singer's desperation for answers and reassurance regarding their relationship. However, they feel lost and disconnected, denying their own feelings and trying to be something they're not in order to please their partner. They recognize that they are being bruised and hurt in the relationship, while their partner is magnified and justified in their actions.


The second verse further reveals the singer's struggle to let go of their partner and move on with their life, despite feeling like they have wasted so much time and energy on this relationship. The chorus repeats the idea that the partner is amplified and magnified in the silence, or the absence of communication, and that science anatomically proves that they don't need the singer. The bridge introduces a darker tone, with references to family secrets and hidden pain, and acknowledges the singer's own personal struggles and painful past. The final lines offer a glimmer of hope, with the singer wanting to hold onto their memories and find joy in the present moment.


Overall, "The Silence" is a powerful reflection on the complexities of relationships and the intense emotions that come with them. The lyrics hint at deeper issues and struggles, while also offering a sense of resilience and determination to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Why do I deserve the science to feel better about you?
Why should I be provided with a cure to fix my attachment towards you?


At a loss I lost my cool
I was confused and got upset


I denied that I found you
I pretended that I didn't find you when deep down I knew that I did


I tried to be a basket case
I attempted to be a wreck or a mess


I did not surprise you
You were not at all surprised by my behavior or actions


I'm trying to find a signal fire Let me know when I should move
I am in search of guidance and direction from you


But you, amplified in the silence Justified in the way you make me bruise Magnified in the science Anatomically proved that you don't need me
Despite your silence or inaction, your mere presence is enough to hurt me and show me how little you need me for anything


Why do I desire the space?
Why do I feel the need to create distance between us?


I was mourning after you I was lost and lost my shape There was nothing I could do
I wallowed in sadness and heartbreak because of you without knowing what to do next


I don't want to waste away It was all I gave to you
I don't want to wither or deteriorate because you took everything I had to give


Take me back and take my place I will rise right up for you
Let me come back to you and make up for my mistakes


But you, amplified in the silence Justified in the way you make me bruise Magnified in the science Anatomically proved that you don't need me
No matter what I do or say, you remain indifferent and make it clear that you don't need me for anything


All the while you waste away, you're asking "Did I really need another one to take me down?" Everybody knows it's something that you had to live with darling Nobody's gonna tear you down now There is nothing you keep, there is only your reflection (There is only your reflection) There was nothing but quiet retractions And families pleading, "Don't look in that cabinet, There's far more bad than there's good, I don't know how it got there" That was something your father had burned in me Twenty hours out of Homestake eternity "You can go anywhere but you are where you came from" Little girl you are cursed by my ancestry There is nothing but darkness and agony I can not only see, but you stopped me from blinking Let me watch you as close as a memory Let me hold you above all the misery Let me open my eyes and be glad that I got here
The person singing is realizing that despite their pain and suffering, the object of their affection is also questioning why they keep getting involved with people who hurt them. The lyrics convey a feeling of hopelessness and despair as the person decides to look past the hardships and cherish the good memories instead. The last line seems to symbolize a moment of clarity or enlightenment when the person finally reaches a breakthrough and learns to move on.




Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: Andrew John Hull

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@TrisCorrosive-yz5xq

Why do I deserve the silence
to feel better about you?
At a loss I lost my cool
I denied that I found you

I tried to be a basket case
I did not surprise you
I'm trying to find a signal fire
Let me know when I should move

But you, amplified in the silence
Justified in the way you make me bruise
Magnified in the silence
Anatomically proved that you don't need me

Why do I desire the space?
I was mourning after you
I was lost and lost my shape
There was nothing I could do

I don't want to waste away
It was all I gave to you
Take me back and take my place
I will rise right up for you

But you, amplified in the silence
Justified in the way you make me bruise
Magnified in the silence
Anatomically proved that you don't need me

All the while you waste away, you're asking
"Did I really need another one to take me down?"
Everybody knows it's something that you had to live with darling
Nobody's gonna tear you down now
There is nothing you keep, there is only your reflection

There was nothing but quiet retractions
And families pleading, "Don't look in that cabinet, there's far more bad than there's good, I don't know how it got there"
That was something your father had burned in me
Twenty hours out of Homestake eternity
You can go anywhere but you are where you came from

Little girl you are cursed by my ancestry
There is nothing but darkness and agony
I can not only see, but you stopped me from blinking
Let me watch you as close as a memory
Let me hold you above all the misery
Let me open my eyes and be glad that I got here



@khangnut

Lyrics
Why do I deserve the science
To feel better about you?
At a loss I lost my cool
I denied that I found you
I tried to be a basket case
I did not surprise you
I'm trying to find a signal fire
Let me know when I should move
But you, amplified in the silence
Justified in the way you make me bruise
Magnified in the science
Anatomically proved that you don't need me
Why do I desire the space?
I was mourning after you
I was lost and lost my shape
There was nothing I could do
I don't want to waste away
It was all I gave to you
Take me back and take my place
I will rise right up for you
But you, amplified in the silence
Justified in the way you make me bruise
Magnified in the science
Anatomically proved that you don't need me
All the while you waste away, you're asking
"Did I really need another one to take me down?"
Everybody knows it's something that you had to live with darling
Nobody's gonna tear you down now
There is nothing you keep, there is only your reflection
There was nothing but quiet retractions
And families pleading, "Don't look in that cabinet
There's far more bad than there's good, I don't know how it got there"
That was something your father had burned in me
Twenty hours out of Homestake eternity
You can go anywhere but you are where you came from
Little girl you are cursed by my ancestry
There is nothing but darkness and agony
I can not only see, but you stopped me from blinking
Let me watch you as close as a memory
Let me hold you above all the misery
Let me open my eyes and be glad that I got here



@jas_bataille

I'm a sound man and a musician.
Tonight my dad, who have 50 years of experience as a sound engineer, ruined my gig.
He wanted to the best job possible. He wanted to help me for a technical problem.
And I realized - after finally facing the overwhelming evidence - that he was actually starting to become deaf.
My dad could hear the water down from the basement and tell something was wrong with it just by sound. My dad could hear the tiniest overtone of the lowest sound I never was aware of on a song I listened to hundreds of times. My dad could tell the slightest syncopated hiccup from the rhythm section that didn't feel just right - sometimes not even 1 bpm of difference.
Every night I work, the artists always love the job I do. I owe everything to my dad. He told me everything about the craft of sound.
He is still one of the best sound guy I know for recording because he feels the vibrations so well.
But tonight I realized that my dad, my ultimate sound hero, with 45 years of a brilliant career spawning France and America, is just a reflection of what he used to be.
He might end up living in silence.
And tonight I opened my computer and this video was hanging there I don't where it came from. And I just started crying, and crying, and crying.
Sometimes life sucks, but music is always here to heal. This reminded me why I do what I do.



All comments from YouTube:

@manchesterorchestra

Your reactions to this song and video have blown our minds. There is no better feeling than when music connects to strangers and we can share it together. We love you all. Stay tuned - MO

@veritasgmv9282

Amazing music makes feels!

@DenaInWyo

So interesting/funny you posted this so recently. I have to mentally prepare myself to listen to this song. I love it deeply, but at times I literally have to avoid it. Today, for some reason, I landed on it.

@vickvick4290

I know this is lame as fuck but in 08 when I played shake it out for people I knew it was like they weren't hearing the same song I was. I connected to the music though it was a real f uped time for me. If it were possible to be more fucked up in life I dont know how let's just say. But I think what I'm trying to say is your music hits you like a sledge hammer at certain times and that's the power of it. Once it hits you that's it your a lifer. Please keep it up guys cause you help alot of people. Whether you know it or not. Its therapy for many of us. This is coming from a person that lost everything and now 10 years later still love you guys and kicken ass in life.

@joelmooneyham8857

I listen to this song every single day. My wife died five years ago and music has been the glue that has held me together. Yours more than most.

@stefanialeuzzi5132

Manchester Orchestra ♥️thank you guys

497 More Replies...

@RichJohnstun

I watched my wife take her last breath as the life left her on January 1 of this year. It was a 21 day battle with cancer she couldn't win. I've listened to this song at least a hundred times since that moment. I've found my own meaning and comfort in it. Thank you.

@elianefernandes4733

Big hug ❤

@Randallsixx13

I pray that you find Peace and even more, that you see her again. Shalom, Mr. Johnstun.

@thenamarie9108

💛

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