I Was There
Mario Spinetti Lyrics

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I tip-toed to your heart,
It was colder than normal:
Colder than mine would have been

With the blood on your hands
In your every reflection;
Every reflection a sin

In your heart and in my head
I can hear you screaming in this bed

'Cuz I was there.
I was there.

Don't you worry my love,
I'm alive and I'm breathing
Breathe in and out:
An amen.

I respond to the lust in your lips brimming over,
Over
And over again

In your heart and in my head
I phase out the screaming of this bed

'Cuz I was there
I was there

And I can feel sunshine,
Shining,
Shining through

And I can feel sunshine,
Shining,

Shining ...
Through ...

Overall Meaning

The song "I Was There" by Mario Spinetti is a haunting and intense portrayal of a past relationship. The opening lines depict the singer's attempt to get close to the person they love, but they find their heart to be colder than their own. The second line suggests that the person has done something terrible, leaving blood on their hands, and they are haunted by their actions, as evidenced by seeing their sin in every reflection. The chorus, "I was there," implies that the singer was witness to the person's actions and the ensuing emotional fallout. The lines "In your heart and in my head, I can hear you screaming in this bed" suggest that both the singer and the person they love are struggling to come to terms with what has happened.

The second verse continues with visceral descriptions of the physical and emotional aspects of their relationship, with the singer responding to the "lust in your lips." The repeated refrain of "I was there" underscores the idea that the singer is still affected by the relationship, even though they have moved on. The bridge brings a moment of respite, with the singer acknowledging that they are alive and breathing and able to find some peace in the sunshine. The final lines suggest that the singer has found a way to move beyond the person's influence, and they can finally feel the sunshine shining through, indicating a newfound sense of hope or perspective.

Line by Line Meaning

I tip-toed to your heart,
I approached your heart carefully

It was colder than normal:
Your heart was colder than what I expected

Colder than mine would have been
Your heart was colder than what I would have felt

With the blood on your hands
You have committed a bloody act

In your every reflection;
Every time you see yourself in a reflection

Every reflection a sin
You consider everything you have done a sin

In your heart and in my head
In your feelings and in my thoughts

I can hear you screaming in this bed
I hear you screaming while we are in bed

'Cuz I was there.
Because I was present when it all happened.

Don't you worry my love,
My love, there is no need to worry

I'm alive and I'm breathing
I am alive and well