Islands
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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Islands, from the first time we saw,
We could wait for this moment, like rocks on the shore.
We can never be closer, somehow,
For the moment that lasts, is this moment now.
When the night's on fire, will you keep the candlelight burning?
Hold on to your heart's desire. (When the night's on fire)
When you see one bird into the wind, another one's turning,
And the two can fly much higher.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
Islands, never been to before,
And we climb so high to where the wild birds soar.
There's a new path that we found just today,
I was lost in the forest and you showed me the way.
When the night's on fire, will you keep the candlelight burning?
Hold on to your heart's desire. (When the night's on fire)
When you see one bird into the wind, another one's turning,
And the two can fly much higher.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands
And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.
We are islands, but never too far,
We are islands




And I need your light tonight,
And I need your light tonight.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Mike Oldfield's "Islands" describe the special connection between two people who, despite being physically separated like islands, have a deep emotional bond. The song suggests that this bond is unbreakable, even though the two individuals are isolated from each other like islands in the sea. The opening lyrics, "Islands, from the first time we saw, We could wait for this moment, like rocks on the shore" suggest that the two individuals have been waiting for this special moment of connection, just like rocks on the shore wait for the waves to crash into them.


The chorus emphasizes the importance of never losing sight of each other and staying connected, especially during difficult times: "When the night's on fire, will you keep the candlelight burning? Hold on to your heart's desire". The metaphor of the two birds flying much higher when turning towards each other illustrates that the bond between the two individuals is empowering and enduring. The song ends on a note of hope and reassurance, with the repeated chorus of "And I need your light tonight, We are islands, but never too far".


Overall, the lyrics to "Islands" celebrate the power of human connection and the need for us to stay emotionally close to each other, regardless of physical distance.


Line by Line Meaning

Islands, from the first time we saw,
From the moment we first saw these islands,


We could wait for this moment, like rocks on the shore.
We patiently waited for this moment, just like rocks do on the shore.


We can never be closer, somehow,
Somehow, we can never be any closer than we are now.


For the moment that lasts, is this moment now.
The moment that truly matters is the one we're in right now.


When the night's on fire, will you keep the candlelight burning?
During the intense and difficult times, will you continue to provide hope and light?


Hold on to your heart's desire. (When the night's on fire)
Hold onto what your heart truly desires, especially during challenging moments.


When you see one bird into the wind, another one's turning,
When one path seems difficult or unfavorable, another opportunity may arise.


And the two can fly much higher.
Together, we can reach greater heights.


We are islands, but never too far,
Though we may be like separate islands, we are never too far apart.


And I need your light tonight,
In this moment, I need your hope and guidance.


Islands, never been to before,
These are islands that we've never visited or experienced previously.


And we climb so high to where the wild birds soar.
Together, we venture to great heights where even wild birds roam free.


There's a new path that we found just today,
Today, we discovered a new path or opportunity.


I was lost in the forest and you showed me the way.
During a time of confusion and lostness, you guided me and provided direction.


And I need your light tonight,
In this moment, I still need your hope and guidance.


We are islands, but never too far,
Just as before, we are like separate islands but remain close together.


And I need your light tonight,
Once again, in this moment, I need your hope and guidance.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DANNY ELFMAN

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

michał rosa

Track List:
1. The Wind Chimes part 1 - 0:00
part 2 - 2:30
2. Islands - 21:48
3. Flying Start - 26:09
4. North Point - 29:47
5. Magic Touch - 33:21
6. The Time Has Come - 37:36
7. When the Night's on Fire - 41:31



All comments from YouTube:

Ane Buldain Garzaron

I’m 15 years old and i think that this album is one masterpiece.

michał rosa

Track List:
1. The Wind Chimes part 1 - 0:00
part 2 - 2:30
2. Islands - 21:48
3. Flying Start - 26:09
4. North Point - 29:47
5. Magic Touch - 33:21
6. The Time Has Come - 37:36
7. When the Night's on Fire - 41:31

Krzysztof Litwinowicz

This is the first MO album I ever heard, and for years it was the only one. I was like 8yo and my mum used to listen to it, and then I borrowed the tape from her and played it on our tape recorder over and over again. The Wind Chimes part I and II was like an adventure journey for me, I used to visualize whole action adventures in some fantasy lands just based on listening to the music. After over 30 years, it still brings vivid childhood memories. The good ones. Cheers.

mike duke

felt the same about Tubular Bells 2

IfUfindthisURlost

Have you seen the video album for this, that was released at the same time? 80's computer animation looks dated now, but it does take you into another world.

Nick Green

I was 18 - about the same time - just started university, sharing a flat with three other guys in Edinburgh. We had no TV (and no computers or phones in those days) so it was all about listening to music, late into the night. The guy who owned the best stereo came home one day with this album, and I had never really listened to Mike Oldfield before. At first I wasn't sure what to make of it, but the music wouldn't let go of my brain. Eventually, I turned into a bigger Oldfield fan than him.

Still this music takes me back to that strange little apartment.

Rob Ward

Incantations is always the one for me !

TestDriver

And you took the words right out of my mouth. This music saved me from getting insane, growing up in a dysfunctional family and clinging to the only thing that they could never take from me. Music.

3 More Replies...

Jose Miguel Cárdenas Vides

Es una maravilla de álbum, lo tuve hace años, y en estos días me acorde y ahora mismo lo estoy disfrutando, gracias. 😎

Martha Ungerer

Thankyou Amen.

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