Streep made her movie debut in 1977's Julia. Both critical and commercial success came quickly with roles in The Deer Hunter and Kramer vs. Kramer, the former giving Streep her first Oscar nomination and the latter giving her her first win.
Streep has proved she is also a well trained singer through several stage productions, charity recordings and in certain movies, including Postcards From The Edge, Death Becomes Her, A Prairie Home Companion, and Mamma Mia!
Slipping Through My Fingers
Meryl Streep Lyrics
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She leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
Barely awake, I let precious time go by
Then when she's gone there's that odd melancholy feeling
And a sense of guilt I can't deny
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The places I had planned for us to go
(Slipping through my fingers all the time)
Well, some of that we did but most we didn't
And why I just don't know
Slipping through my fingers all the time
I try to capture every minute
The feeling in it
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Do I really see what's in her mind
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
She keeps on growing
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers
Schoolbag in hand she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
The song "Slipping Through My Fingers" by Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried is a poignant and emotional reflection on the experience of a mother watching her daughter growing up and leaving home. The opening verse follows the mother's experience of waving goodbye to her daughter as she leaves for school, feeling a deep sense of sadness and loss as she watches her child slip away from her grasp. She acknowledges her own distance from her daughter's world and the feeling of missing out on the moments that make up her daughter's life.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Slipping through my fingers all the time," emphasizing the idea that time is precious and fleeting, and that the mother feels powerless to hold onto her daughter and the moments they share. The second verse describes the family's morning routine, with the mother allowing time to pass by without really treasuring the moments shared with her child. She feels a sense of guilt and loss when her daughter is gone and wonders what happened to the plans she had for their future.
The song ends with the mother acknowledging that time is beyond her control and that all she can do is wish she could freeze the moments she shares with her daughter. The song is a moving tribute to the bittersweet experience of parenthood, where the joy of watching your child grow up is always tempered by the knowledge that they will one day leave home and the time you have with them is limited.
Line by Line Meaning
Schoolbag in hand
As she prepares to leave, the girl carries her schoolbag.
She leaves home in the early morning
The girl departs from her house early in the day, likely to attend school.
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
As she leaves, the girl smiles absentmindedly and waves goodbye to her loved one.
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
The artist experiences a familiar feeling of sadness as they watch the girl depart.
And I have to sit down for a while
The artist must take a moment to sit and process their emotions.
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
The singer feels as though they are losing their connection to the girl and fears that it may be permanent.
And without really entering her world
The singer struggles to fully understand the girl's experiences and emotions.
I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter
Despite the struggle to understand, the artist cherishes moments when they can share in the girl's joy.
That funny little girl
The artist fondly describes the girl as a unique and amusing individual.
Slipping through my fingers all the time
The girl's childhood is passing quickly and it feels as though the artist is unable to hold onto the moments.
I try to capture every minute
The singer attempts to make the most of the time they have with the girl.
The feeling in it
The artist wants to fully immerse themselves in each experience with the girl and understand the emotions involved.
Do I really see what's in her mind
The singer wonders how well they understand the girl's thoughts and feelings.
Each time I think I'm close to knowing
The singer believes they are getting closer to understanding the girl, but it still feels elusive.
She keeps on growing
Despite efforts to hold onto the girl's childhood, the girl will continue to age and develop.
Sleep in our eyes, her and me at the breakfast table
The girl and narrator wake up in the morning and share breakfast together.
Barely awake, I let precious time go by
The artist is tired and not fully present, causing them to miss out on valuable time with the girl.
Then when she's gone there's that odd melancholy feeling
Once the girl departs, the singer feels a sense of sadness and nostalgia.
And a sense of guilt I can't deny
The singer experiences guilt for not fully engaging in the time they had with the girl and letting it slip away.
What happened to the wonderful adventures
The artist reminisces on fun experiences they had planned with the girl.
The places I had planned for us to go
The artist had intended to take the girl on exciting trips and visits.
Well, some of that we did but most we didn't
While they were able to some of the things planned, there were many experiences they missed out on.
And why I just don't know
The singer is unsure why they were not able to complete all of the planned activities.
Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
The artist desires to pause time and capture the moment so they can revisit it forever.
And save it from the funny tricks of time
They want to protect the memory from being lost as time progresses.
Slipping through my fingers
The girl's childhood and precious time with her is slipping away.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Benny Goran Bror Andersson, Bjoern K. Ulvaeus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind