In 2004, the NME described the song as the "greatest English love song of modern times".The Dream Academy's 1985 world-wide hit single Life in a Northern Town was inspired by and in tribute to "Northern Sky". The song was included on the soundtracks to the romantic comedies, Serendipity (2000) and Fever Pitch (2005).
Northern Sky
Nick Drake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never saw moons, knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky
I've been a long time that I'm waiting
I've been a long time that I've wandered
Through the people I have known
Oh, if you would and you could
Straighten my new mind's eye
Would you love me for my money?
Would you love me for my head?
Would you love me through the winter?
Would you love me 'til I'm dead?
Oh, if you would and you could
Come blow your horn on high
I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons, knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky
The song Northern Sky by Nick Drake is a beautiful love song with a lot of allegory weaved into the lyrics. The first verse paints a picture of how the singer has never felt the magic of life until the arrival of this special person who has "brightened their northern sky." The northern sky is often a symbol of peace and solitude, and how the arrival of this person has transformed the singer's life.
The second verse talks about the singer's journey, where they have wandered through the people they have known and the experiences they've had. In the third line, the singer talks about their "new mind's eye" and how the special person has given them a new perspective on life. The singer then poses some important questions to this special person, asking if they would love them for their money or their head, but also through the winter and until they're dead.
In the last verse, the singer repeats the words from the first verse, talking about how the special person has brought magic into their life by shining a light on everything they had previously overlooked. It's a reminder that even the smallest things can be magical when seen through the eyes of someone we love.
Overall, Northern Sky is a beautifully written song that uses powerful imagery and symbolism to convey the transformative power of love. The song encourages the listener to appreciate and cherish the time we have with our loved ones and to see the magic in even the smallest moments of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I never felt magic crazy as this
I have never experienced anything as wildly enchanting as this moment with you
I never saw moons, knew the meaning of the sea
I have never truly appreciated the vast beauty of nature until now
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
I have never been so in touch with my feelings as I am when I'm with you
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
I have never been so at peace with myself and the world as when we're together
But now you're here
Your presence has changed my life in ways I never thought possible
Brighten my northern sky
You bring light and warmth to the coldest reaches of my being
I've been a long time that I'm waiting
I have been patiently anticipating the arrival of someone like you
Been a long that I'm blown
I have been drifting aimlessly without direction or purpose
I've been a long time that I've wandered
I have been aimlessly wandering through life searching for something I couldn't find
Through the people I have known
Despite having met many people, none of them have been able to fill the void within me
Oh, if you would and you could
If you had the desire and the ability
Straighten my new mind's eye
Help me to see clearly and understand my place in the world
Would you love me for my money?
If I were wealthy, would you still love me?
Would you love me for my head?
If I were intellectually gifted, would you still love me?
Would you love me through the winter?
If times were tough, would you still stick by my side?
Would you love me 'til I'm dead?
Would you remain faithful to me for the rest of my life?
Come blow your horn on high
Let the world know how much you mean to me and how much I love you
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Nick Drake
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Preston
on Kimbie
And I need a Mackinaw
Preston
on Kimbie
hawl
Preston
on Kimbie
It's not a show. It's a shawl. The point here is that can be once a luxury item, a shawl that costs $9, while the speaker needs a Mackinaw, which is a practical warm coat. She "wants" something, but he "needs" something.
Preston
on Kimbie
Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie desires a performance that costs exactly nine dollars
Kimbie wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie repeatedly expresses her desire for a nine dollar performance
She wants a nine dollar show
Kimbie is insistent on attending a nine dollar show
And I need
The artist has a need that is yet to be revealed
Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist is telling Kimbie to let her hair loose and relax
Kimbie let your hair hang down
The singer repeats his request to Kimbie, urging her to let go of her worries
Let your hair hang down
The singer encourages Kimbie to let her hair down, implying that she should stop worrying and enjoy herself
T'il it touches the ground
The artist suggests that Kimbie should let her hair down completely
Well Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist reminds Kimbie to let go of her worries as he intends to depart soon
Kimbie let your hair hang down
The artist emphasizes the importance of Kimbie letting her hair down before he leaves
Cause come the morning I’ll be gone
The singer implies that he will not stay for long
Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist questions Kimbie's whereabouts since he last saw her
I’ve been down in your state pen
Kimbie has spent time in a prison located in the singer's state
With those rough and rowdy
Kimbie has been surrounded by aggressive and unruly people
Rough and rowdy men
The people Kimbie has been surrounded by in prison are male and are known for their aggressive behaviour
Well Kimbie where you been so long
The artist repeats his question, wondering where Kimbie has been and why she has been away for so long
And I gotta go back again
Kimbie reveals that she has to return to prison once again
Well I wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer expresses his wish to be a mole that burrows underground
I wished I were a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole
I was a mole in the ground
The artist imagines himself as a mole burrowing beneath the surface of the earth
And that I’d tear this mountain
The artist imagines himself digging through a mountain
I’d tear this mountain down
The artist would use his strength to destroy a mountain if he were a mole
Wished I was a mole in the ground
The singer repeats his desire to become a mole, implying that he wants to be free from the burdens of the human world
Dave
on Free Ride
That interpretation isn't correct at all.