Spring
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin Lyrics


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Could you mind be as shallow
As my five o'clock shadow?
Can things change this fast?

The one that you wanted is past tense
At present my presence no longer makes sense
At present you're too tense
Now I never said I'm the be-all and end-all
But you had to end it all, as soon as you'd seen more
I never said I was worth less or worth less or worth more

Does it have to be this ugly?
It's not like I stole your possessions or money
Things change this fast

The one that I wanted is past tense
At present your presence no longer makes sense
At present I'm too tense

But you'd know it
You'd know it all

Now I never said I'm the be-all and end-all




But you had to end it all, as soon as you'd seen more
I never said I was worth less or worth more

Overall Meaning

The song "Spring" by Ned's Atomic Dustbin talks about a relationship that has run its course and has ended abruptly. The singer is questioning whether their significant other's mind could be as shallow as his five o'clock shadow, implying that the breakup may have been due to superficial reasons. He then reflects on how quickly things have changed, wondering if they really had to end the relationship in such an ugly way.


The lyrics suggest that the singer is not taking full responsibility for the end of the relationship, stating that he never claimed to be the be-all and end-all or to have a certain worth. He seems to be confused about why his significant other ended things so suddenly, saying that they had to end it all as soon as they had seen more. The dramatic final line "But you'd know it, you'd know it all" implies that his significant other knows the real reason for the breakup but is not willing to share it.


One interesting fact about "Spring" is that it appears on the band's debut album "God Fodder," which was released in 1991. The song became one of the album's most popular tracks and was frequently played during the band's live shows. Another interesting fact is that the band's name "Ned's Atomic Dustbin" comes from a character in a cartoon called "The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers."


The music video for "Spring" features the band performing in a studio while a couple argues and ultimately breaks up in the background. The video was directed by Pedro Romhanyi, who has also directed music videos for bands like Radiohead and Blur.


In 1992, the band released a live EP called "Terminally Groovy" that included a live version of "Spring." The EP was recorded during the band's performance at the Astoria in London.


Interestingly, the song has been covered by a number of other artists over the years, including British singer-songwriter Frank Turner and American rock band Bayside.


The chords for "Spring" are as follows:


Verse: A - G - D - A
Chorus: F#m - G - A - D


Note: These chords may not be 100% accurate and are provided for educational purposes only.


Line by Line Meaning

Could you mind be as shallow
Is it possible that your thoughts and feelings are superficial and lacking depth?


As my five o'clock shadow?
Just like my facial hair grows quickly and needs constant maintenance, does your mindset constantly shift and require attention?


Can things change this fast?
Is it possible for emotions and circumstances to alter so rapidly?


The one that you wanted is past tense
The person you desired is no longer a relevant factor in this situation.


At present my presence no longer makes sense
Currently, my existence doesn't serve a purpose or have meaning for you.


At present you're too tense
Right now, you are anxious or agitated in this particular setting or moment.


Now I never said I'm the be-all and end-all
I never claimed to be the most important or final solution to anything.


But you had to end it all, as soon as you'd seen more
You made the decision to completely terminate this situation once you discovered additional information or gained a new perspective.


I never said I was worth less or worth more
I never suggested that my value was lower or higher than what you already perceived.


Does it have to be this ugly?
Is it necessary for this situation to be dramatic or unpleasant?


It's not like I stole your possessions or money
I didn't commit a serious offense or harm you financially in any way.


The one that I wanted is past tense
The person I desired is irrelevant to this current moment.


At present your presence no longer makes sense
Currently, your existence doesn't serve a purpose or have meaning for me.


At present I'm too tense
Currently, I am nervous or uneasy in this particular setting or moment.


But you'd know it
You should be aware of the situation or the way I feel.


You'd know it all
You should be aware of all the relevant details and information in this situation.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER THOMAS GRIFFEN, DANIEL CHARLES WORTON, GARETH JOHN PRING, JOHNATHAN PENNEY, MATTHEW RICHARD CHESLIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Luciejohnstonxx

Magnificent will neds ever get old. No timeless all time classic

QuietStorm

My ALL TIME go to for pure JOY!!!

Alejandro Ruiz

Brilliant song, the melodies, the two bass lines, the chorus, is perfect.

Wendy Dunn

who could thumbs down this... no one!!! Ned's Rock!!!

Matthew Pritchard

One of my top 3 Neds tunes....so gorgeous!!! 'but you know it all....'

Takadananobaba

Mine are this, Trust and Happy 😊

Age and Treachery

Favorite Ned song. Just perfect.

Age and Treachery

Favorite Ned song. Perfection!

Ben Grimshaw

It's all about Alex's bass lines for me. Don't get me wrong, they're all talented, but he makes it for me. Such melodic lines on the the bottom strings of a bass! Suave and Suffocated an absolute peach.

Rick S

Could your mind be as shallow as my five o' clock shadow?

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