Toes
Norah Jones Lyrics


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The current is strong from what I've heard
I'll whisk you down the stream
But I never seem to have the time
So my toes just touch the water
So my toes just touch the water

Daydreamed on the bank again
I was swimming with the fish
And I thought this time that it may be true
But my toes just touched the water [Repeat: x3]

Walked a mile just to find the edge
Some place low enough
to step right in
Now I'm here and I can't begin
to move

Walked a mile just to find the edge
Some place low enough
to step right in
Now I'm here and I can't begin
to move

That spoiled sun up over there
Always has to have its way

And I know that the river's there to shelter me
But my toes just touched the water [Repeat: x3]

Overall Meaning

In the song "Toes" by Norah Jones, the lyrics have an underlying theme of struggle, hesitation, and fear. The singer seems to have a desire to jump into the river and enjoy the current but is unable to take the plunge. The opening line of the song, "The current is strong from what I've heard, I'll whisk you down the stream," represents an individual attempting to coax or persuade someone else to take a risk with them. However, the singer admits that they don't have the time to enjoy the river and only end up dipping their toes in the water.


The next verse shows the singer daydreaming about swimming with the fish and hoping that they will be able to take that plunge. They need to find a place low enough to step right in, and after walking for a long time, they finally find a spot, but they can't get themselves to move. The last verse talks about the sun always having its way and the river being there to shelter the singer, but they are still hesitant and only allow their toes to touch the water.


The song speaks to the fear of taking risks and the longing for something more while feeling stuck in place. The image of dipping one's toes in the water is symbolic of the fear of taking a real plunge and allowing oneself to enjoy the current. The lyrics are poetic in their description of the struggle to push oneself forward, the fear of the unknown, and the desire to break free.


Line by Line Meaning

The current is strong from what I've heard
I have heard that the river current is powerful


I'll whisk you down the stream
I will take you for a ride along the river


But I never seem to have the time
However, I always seem to be too busy


So my toes just touch the water
So I only have time to dip my toes in the water


Daydreamed on the bank again
I daydreamed while sitting on the riverbank


I was swimming with the fish
I imagined myself swimming with the fish


And I thought this time that it may be true
I believed that my daydream could become a reality


But my toes just touched the water [Repeat: x3]
But I only got as far as dipping my toes in the water


Walked a mile just to find the edge
I walked a long way to find a suitable spot by the river


Some place low enough to step right in
A spot where the river is shallow enough to easily step into


Now I'm here and I can't begin to move
Now I am here, but I feel stuck and unable to take action


That spoiled sun up over there
The sun that shines brightly in the sky


Always has to have its way
Seems to always dominate and control the environment


And I know that the river's there to shelter me
I am aware that the river is there to protect me


But my toes just touched the water [Repeat: x3]
But I have only managed to dip my toes in, despite the river's potential benefits




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LEE ALEXANDER, NORAH JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Anonymous


on I Turned Your Picture to the Wall

Down by the Riverside - Noah Wall - Lyrics

I’m gonna lay down my heavy load,
Down by the riverside,
Oh yeah
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my heavy load,
Down by the riverside,
I’m gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
No I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more

I’m gonna put on my long white robe,
Down by the riverside
Oh yeah
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna put on my long white robe,
Down by the riverside
I’m gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more

Musical Interlude


Well, I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside
I’m gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,
I ain’t a gonna study war no more
I ain’t a gonna study war no more,

Anonymous


on The Nearness of You

The Nearness Of You - Camille Thurman -Lyrics

Its not the pale moon that excites me
That thrills and delights me, oh no
Its just the nearness of you

It isn't your sweet conversation
That brings this sensation, oh no
Its just the nearness of you

When you're in my arms
And I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams do come true

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness of you

Saxophone Musical Interlude

I need no soft lights to enchant me
If you'll only grant me
The right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night
The nearness, the nearness of you