Looking For Something
Paolo Nutini Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Another day is washed away
And all alibis are out
And the hand that used to heal me only cursed me now
The echoes of a woman so kind
Rain like waterfalls and ice-cream on my worried mind
I lay there in the puddle of myself
Fishing from a brand new wish from that bucket down the well
And in her colors I find my faith
Cause I remember every word that lady used to say

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, leaving with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!
Be a long home without you
It's just a long way home without you
Yeah, yeah!

That's my mother, like no other
Made me human, made me brother
And it's swelling with blister for my sake and my sisters
The guardian of my karma, keep my feet on terrain firmer
And then release me like a scient to the sky!

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, leaving with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!
It's just a long way home

Sister, you have some hungry eyes
And by back you're hypnotized
Smiling faces in disguise
By back you're hypnotized
Keep going against the grain
And soon that's all, soon that's all you'll know
And soon that's all you'll know
And let's get this straight
Sometimes you'll rise, and there's time you'll fall
After all, you're just blood and bones
And you don't owe no one, oh
No, you don't owe no one
So don't live like one price is right
Cause there is some things in your life that you can't fight!

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, wind up with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, leaving with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, learning to fly
She said that souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, learning to fly
Oh souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, learning to fly
Oh momma, how I love you!
Learning to fly, learning to fly
No momma, how I love you
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!





We're a long way home without you

Overall Meaning

The song "Looking for Something" by Paolo Nutini is a heartfelt tribute to his mother presented in a classic soulful style. The song is filled with emotive lyrics that paint a vivid picture of the artist's personal struggles and how his mother has been his rock in such situations. The track opens with the lines "Another day is washed away, and all alibis are out," signifying a day that has come to an end, and the time to let go of excuses and face the reality. The lines "And the hand that used to heal me only cursed me now, the echoes of a woman so kind" implies that there was a time when Paolo's mother was there to comfort and heal him, but now she is no longer there, leaving him feeling broken.


The song progresses with Paolo reminiscing about the words of wisdom his mother has imparted throughout his life, encapsulated in the lines "She said that hearts can't break themselves, looking for something, leaving with nothing, but souls can't save themselves, learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!" These lines encapsulate that sometimes, life can be tough, and it's about finding the courage to push through these hard times because there is always the hope of something better waiting for us. Paolo also acknowledges that his mother has been his biggest support throughout his life, affectionately describing her as "my mother, like no other, made me human, made me brother."


In summary, "Looking for Something" is a touching tribute to Paolo Nutini's mother, giving an insight into the relationship that exists between the two. The carrying message is one of love, hope, and perseverance, encouraging us to never give up, even in the darkest of situations.


Line by Line Meaning

Another day is washed away
The day has ended and passed like any other day.


And all alibis are out
There are no more excuses or justifications for the events of the day.


And the hand that used to heal me only cursed me now
Someone who once helped is now hindering.


The echoes of a woman so kind
The memory of a benevolent woman lingers.


Rain like waterfalls and ice-cream on my worried mind
The heavy rain reflects the feeling of anxiety in the writer's mind.


I lay there in the puddle of myself
The writer feels stuck and lost in his own problems.


Fishing from a brand new wish from that bucket down the well
The writer does not give up and still tries to find hope, even from limited resources.


And in her colors I find my faith
The writer finds a source of inspiration and strength from the memory of the woman mentioned earlier.


Cause I remember every word that lady used to say
The writer values the wise words of the woman and holds on to them.


She said that hearts can't break themselves
No one can have emotional pain without an external cause.


Looking for something, leaving with nothing
Sometimes people search for something, but they end up with nothing.


But souls can't save themselves
People cannot overcome spiritual challenges without help.


Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!
The writer wants to learn and grow, feeling grateful for his mother's support.


Be a long home without you
Life is incomplete without the love and care of a mother.


That's my mother, like no other
The writer values his mother's unique role in his life.


Made me human, made me brother
The writer acknowledges his mother's influence on his moral development.


And it's swelling with blister for my sake and my sisters
The hard work and sacrifice of the mother are duly appreciated.


The guardian of my karma, keep my feet on terrain firmer
The mother has been instrumental in keeping her son grounded and wise.


And then release me like a scient to the sky!
The mother helped her son prepare for an independent life that allows him to soar high.


Sister, you have some hungry eyes
The writer warns his sister about falling for appearances and getting trapped.


And by back you're hypnotized
The writer accuses his sister of being mesmerized by temptations.


Smiling faces in disguise
People can pretend to be kind and friendly but hide their true intentions.


Keep going against the grain
The writer advises his sister to stay true to herself and not conform to societal norms.


And soon that's all, soon that's all you'll know
The writer cautions that one may get stuck and lose sight of one's goals.


And let's get this straight
The writer wants to make it clear.


Sometimes you'll rise, and there's time you'll fall
Life has ups and downs, and no one can escape that.


After all, you're just blood and bones
At the end of the day, humans are fragile and vulnerable.


And you don't owe no one, oh
The writer emphasizes that one has no obligation toward others.


No, you don't owe no one
Nobody has a right to control or exploit someone else.


So don't live like one price is right
The writer advises not to gamble on life as if there's only one way to win.


Cause there is some things in your life that you can't fight!
There are some challenges in life that one cannot overcome alone.


Looking for something, wind up with nothing
Again, emphasizing how sometimes people pursue goals in vain.


Learning to fly, learning to fly
The writer is still searching for his own way forward.


Oh momma, how I love you!
The writer expresses his affection for his mother.


No momma, how I love you
The writer repeats his love for his mother to emphasize it.


We're a long way home without you
Again, emphasizing how the absence of a mother makes life harder for the writer.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL MCDAID, PAOLO GIOVANNI NUTINI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@kittey2489

Another day is washed away
And all alibis are out
And the hand that used to heal me only cursed me now
The echoes of a woman so kind
Rain like waterfalls and ice-cream on my worried mind
I lay there in the puddle of myself
Fishing from a brand new wish from that bucket down the well
And in her colors I find my faith
Cause I remember every word that lady used to say

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, leaving with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!
Be a long home without you
It's just a long way home without you
Yeah, yeah!

That's my mother, like no other
Made me human, made me brother
And it's swelling with blister for my sake and my sisters
The guardian of my karma, keep my feet on terrain firmer
And then release me like a scient to the sky!

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, leaving with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!
It's just a long way home

Sister, you have some hungry eyes
And by back you're hypnotized
Smiling faces in disguise
By back you're hypnotized
Keep going against the grain
And soon that's all, soon that's all you'll know
And soon that's all you'll know
And let's get this straight
Sometimes you'll rise, and there's time you'll fall
After all, you're just blood and bones
And you don't owe no one, oh
No, you don't owe no one
So don't live like one price is right
Cause there is some things in your life that you can't fight!

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, wind up with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!

She said that hearts can't break themselves
Looking for something, leaving with nothing
But souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, learning to fly
She said that souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, learning to fly
Oh souls can't save themselves
Learning to fly, learning to fly
Oh momma, how I love you!
Learning to fly, learning to fly
No momma, how I love you
Learning to fly, sweet mother of mine!

We're a long way home without you



@Joe.L.Embiid

Yesterday I had never heard of Paolo, as of today he made my list of favorite artists

1.) Matt Corby
2.) Josh Garrels
3.) Jeff Buckley
4.) Paolo Nutino
5.) Jack Johnson

List consists of my favorite "solo" artists not bands, although Matt Corby would still be #1 no doubt, if you like Paolo, look up Matt and don't miss out. Also Josh Garrels is a great unique artist that does not fall along the lines of a stereotypical Christian artist (originality).



All comments from YouTube:

@hussainpatel4202

It has been 5 years Paolo. Keeping with your track record, you should give us an album this year. Love.

@EzioAuditoreDaFirenze99

sike nope

@francishughes5548

He’s banned for iron sky (read the lyrics)

@pamelamorrison4086

@Francis Hughes Brilliant lyrics and a powerful chooon

@matthowarth2995

@Francis Hughes
Is this some wild conspiracy theory?

@francishughes5548

Matt Howarth read the lyric, google whom created the words conspiracy theory. I’ll leave it at that

5 More Replies...

@stacc_962

Visto dal vivo al porto antico di Genova, il basso all'inizio del brano ha fatto letteralmente tremare tutto il porto.

@monkeymaildog

Saw him live damn this guy can sing. He sounds just as good live maybe even better. Not many singers can say that

@matthewjohnson24

Bruce can

@jeremybujon3733

@Matthew Johnson If you're talking about Bruce Dickinson, that guy's legendary ... Paolo and Bruce aren't in the same league

More Comments

More Versions