Grammy winner and 7 time Grammy nominee Paula Cole has released six solo albums spanning an eighteen year career. She has sold approximately three million albums and has performed with icons in many genres of music from Peter Gabriel to Dolly Parton (and many more.) Cole’s emotionally deep and thrilling performances are a trademark. Poetic and fiercely touching, intelligent writing makes Cole stand apart. Her compositions have been covered by Herbie Hancock, Annie Lennox, Katherine McPhee to name a few. From a small town in Massachusetts Paula Cole was raised in a musical family with whom she and her daughter remain close. Cole is a scholarship alumna from Berklee College of Music with a background in jazz, received her first record deal with a jazz label (which she declined), and has collaborated with many jazz artists. Paula teaches and gives clinics in a spirit of giving back to the circle of music. With a loving allegiance to her fans, she maintains loyal communication online and after her live shows. As the first woman in history to solely produce and receive the best Producer Grammy nomination for her work, “This Fire”, Cole has broken boundaries with a searcher’s spirit. From her top ten hits of the 1990’s to her more recent critically acclaimed albums, Paula Cole continues to write, produce, record and perform heartfelt, meaningful, lasting music that defies categorization.
Hush
Paula Cole Lyrics
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Losing their strength and form
Sixty year man on twenty year old skin
Skeleton, your eyes have lost their warmth
Look to your father for some support
[Chorus]
Hush hush hush
Sleep sleep sleep
Says the hundredth sheep
Peace peace peace
May you go in peace
Cruel joke you waited so long to show
The one that you wanted wasn't a girl
All your life you kept it hidden inside
Now when you step
You stumble
You die
[Chorus]
Oh maybe next time
You'll be Henry the 8th
Wake up tomorrow, alexander the great
Open your eyes in a new life again
Oh maybe next time
You'll be given a chance
Hush hush hush
Hush...
The lyrics of Paula Cole's song "Hush Hush Hush" describe the physical deterioration and emotional struggles of an aging man. The opening lines paint a vivid image of the man's weakening body, with his "long white arms" losing their strength and form. The chorus carries a calming message directed from the man's father, urging him to find peace and rest. As the song progresses, the man's lifelong secret is revealed - he desired a man instead of a woman. This realization has caused him immense pain and turmoil, leading him to stumble and ultimately "die" metaphorically.
The juxtaposition of physical decay and emotional turmoil intensifies the narrative of the song. The physical frailty of the man's body reflects the fragility of his emotional well-being. The lyrics suggest that his repressed desires have contributed to his physical and emotional decline. The reference to historical figures like Henry VIII and Alexander the Great hints at the man's sense of loss and longing for a chance to start over.
Overall, the song "Hush Hush Hush" is a poignant portrayal of a man grappling with his identity and mortality. The father's reassurance of "hush hush hush" and "peace peace peace" serves as a gentle reminder that no matter how difficult life can be, peace and rest are always possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Long white arms
Your once strong and able body is now frail and weak.
Losing their strength and form
You are losing your physical abilities and the ability to take care of yourself.
Sixty year man on twenty year old skin
You are an aging man with the physical appearance of a young person, but that doesn't change the fact that you are aging and nearing the end of your life.
Skeleton, your eyes have lost their warmth
You are becoming more like a skeleton with each passing day and your eyes have lost their vigor and energy.
Look to your father for some support
You are in need of guidance and support, and turning to your father for help may ease your troubles.
Hush hush hush
Be quiet and listen, there is something important that you need to hear.
Says your daddy's touch
Your father's touch may bring comfort and solace to your troubles.
Sleep sleep sleep
Rest your weary body and mind to regain your strength and peace of mind.
Says the hundredth sheep
Counting sheep can bring relaxation and peace to one's mind and help them fall asleep.
Peace peace peace
May you find peace and tranquility in your life, and may it stay with you always.
Cruel joke you waited so long to show
Life can be cruel and unpredictable, and sometimes it takes a long time for it to reveal its true nature.
The one that you wanted wasn't a girl
Your desires and dreams may not always align with reality, and sometimes it takes time to understand and accept this.
All your life you kept it hidden inside
You may have been hiding your true self from the world for a long time, and it is time to let it out and live your life to the fullest.
Now when you step
Now that you have revealed your true self, you may feel uncertain and unsteady in your life ahead.
You stumble
You may fall or make mistakes, but it is important to get up again and continue forward despite the obstacles.
You die
Death is inevitable and may come at any moment, so it is important to live each day to the fullest.
Oh maybe next time
Perhaps in the future, there will be another opportunity or chance for you to achieve your goals.
You'll be Henry the 8th
In the future, you may have great power and influence, like the famous king Henry VIII.
Wake up tomorrow, alexander the great
Perhaps tomorrow, you will wake up feeling strong and powerful, like the famous conqueror Alexander the Great.
Open your eyes in a new life again
Every day is a new opportunity to start fresh and begin a new chapter in your life.
Oh maybe next time
There is always another chance to succeed and achieve your goals, even if this time it didn't work out.
You'll be given a chance
The future is full of possibilities and opportunities, and you may have another chance to make your dreams come true.
Hush hush hush
Be quiet and listen, there is something important that you need to hear.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAULA COLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind