In A Manner Of Speaking
Martin L. Gore Lyrics

The lyrics of Martin L. Gore's song, In A Manner of Speaking, describe the difficulties of expressing one's feelings through words. The song tells the story of someone who is trying to communicate with a loved one but finds it difficult. The singer acknowledges that despite the fact that they can never forget the way their loved one told them everything, they did so by saying nothing. This paradoxical statement shows the singer's admiration for their loved one's ability to convey emotions through silence.

The singer goes on to describe their inability to understand how love in silence could turn into disapproval or blame. They express that the way they feel about their loved one is beyond words, indicating the depth of their emotions. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "give me the words" as the singer searches for a way to communicate their emotions effectively. By saying that "semantics won't do" in the context of the feelings they are trying to express, the singer highlights the importance of context and tone, as opposed to just the words themselves.

The song concludes with the singer's desire to find a way to "tell you everything, by saying nothing." In this statement, the singer seems to acknowledge that actions can speak louder than words and that sometimes silence can be more important than what is said. In essence, In A Manner of Speaking is a song about the struggle to express complex emotions through language and a recognition that sometimes, words simply cannot do justice to the way we feel.