"We came very close into doing something with Bjork and with Tom Waits. But Bjork’s probably too similar to the Massive Attack sound." -Robert Del Naja (3D)
Nature Boy
Massive Attack And Bjork Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy
And sad of eye
But very wise
And then one day
One magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
The greatest thing
You'll ever learn
Is just to love
And be loved in return
(I love you)
The lyrics to Massive Attack and Bjork's song Nature Boy tell the story of a mysterious boy who wanders far and wide, rumored to be enchanted. He is described as shy and sad of eye, yet wise beyond his years. One day, he passes the singer's way and they have a conversation about many things, including fools and kings. Then the boy imparts his wisdom to the singer, stating that the greatest thing one can learn in life is to love and be loved in return.
The lyrics can be interpreted in multiple ways, but one interpretation is that the boy represents a wise figure who imparts the idea that true happiness and fulfillment in life come from the experience of love. Additionally, the song may be interpreted as a reflection on the fleeting nature of life, as the boy is described as enchanted and has wandered far and wide.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a boy
Once upon a time, there existed a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
This boy was peculiar and charmed
They say he wandered very far, very far
It is said that he travelled extensively
Over land and sea
He journeyed over both land and water
A little shy
He was somewhat timid
And sad of eye
His eyes bore a melancholy expression
But very wise
Despite this, he possessed great wisdom
Was he
That's who he was
And then one day
At a certain point in time
One magic day he passed my way
On this specific day, he crossed my path
And while we spoke of many things
During our conversation about a range of topics
Fools and kings
Referencing the discussion about all walks of life, from the foolish to the royal
This he said to me
He imparted these words to me
The greatest thing
The most significant and meaningful lesson
You'll ever learn
That one will ever be taught
Is just to love
Is simply to offer and receive love
And be loved in return
As the saying goes, to love and be loved in equal measure
(I love you)
This statement stands alone and is not a part of the original lyrics
Lyrics © GOLDEN WORLD
Written by: Eden Ahbez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paredel89
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
@paredel89
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return.
@alexandracoirier3778
Bowie was full of love, his love still radiates!
@ReshonBryant
👻
@AMBERSKYS1
he was the sexiest senior citizen ever! he'll never be forgotten.
@hisashivalentine
Even though this is a cover song - his version is so eerie but beautiful. So heartbreaking to listen to it.
@wewatchmovies4446
Yeah bro, it's music at its height
@randomlight1069
Bowie recorded two versions. One "orchestral" the one, which which can be heard in some scenes in Moulin Rouge. And this one which was slotted for the end credits. Due it's beings so "dark" the films director Baz Luhrmann pulled it saying "it was so dark that we needed to resurrect the audience during the end credits." I prefer this one, for what it's worth.
@dwesdwes5633
Back in the 1950's my father used to sing this song to me when i was a little child. He of course was familiar with the Nat "King" Cole version of it, and never heard Bowie sing it.
@kzinful
Oh my, I never knew of this collaboration.
Even more respect for the genius that is Massive Attack, they have always exhibited that special talent of finding artists and the right song for them as is shown here.
Poignant now with Davids passing but this song is so right for his interpretation, isn't it?
And in the end, the love you take is..
Peace
@patrom0406
equal to the love you take ;)