Songwriter Stephen Bishop received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. It lost to Lionel Richie's "Say You, Say Me" from the same movie.
Separate Lives
Phil Collins Lyrics
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All full of romance for someone that you met
And telling me how sorry you were, leaving so soon
And that you miss me sometimes when you're alone in your room
Do I feel lonely too?
You have no right to ask me how I feel
You have no right to speak to me so kind
Now that we're living separate lives
Well, I held on to let you go
And if you lost your love for me, well you never let it show
There was no way to compromise
So now we're living (living)
Separate lives
Ooh, it's so typical, love leads to isolation
So you build that wall (build that wall)
Yes, you build that wall (build that wall)
And you make it stronger
Well, you have no right to ask me how I feel
You have no right to speak to me so kind
Some day I might (I might) find myself looking in your eyes
But for now, we'll go on living separate lives
Yes for now, we'll go on living separate lives
Separate lives
The song "Separate Lives" was written by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin and released in 1986. The lyrics describe a relationship that has ended and the feelings of both parties. The song starts with the singer receiving a call from their ex-partner who is in a hotel room with someone they just met. The ex apologizes for leaving and admits to missing the singer. The singer asks if they feel lonely too, which suggests that they are still holding onto their feelings and hoping for a reconciliation.
However, the second verse shows a different side of the singer. They tell their ex that they have no right to ask how they feel or speak to them kindly. This could be a response to past hurt or a realization that they need to move on. The chorus reinforces this idea of separation, with the singer acknowledging that they have to let go and move on in their own separate lives.
The bridge of the song is particularly powerful, with its lyrics about love leading to isolation and walls being built to protect oneself. The singer seems to be accepting the fact that the relationship is over and that they have to build their own life without their ex. The song ends with the repeated line "we'll go on living separate lives," emphasizing the finality of the separation.
Overall, "Separate Lives" is a poignant reminder of the pain and complexity of relationships. It highlights the difficulty of letting go, even when it's necessary, and the emotional toll of trying to hold on to something that's no longer there.
Line by Line Meaning
You called me from the room in your hotel
You reached out to me while you were in your hotel room
All full of romance for someone that you met
You were filled with romantic feelings for someone else whom you met
And telling me how sorry you were, leaving so soon
You apologized for having to leave so soon after our conversation
And that you miss me sometimes when you're alone in your room
You admitted to missing me when you are alone in your room
Do I feel lonely too?
You wonder if I feel lonely in a similar way
You have no right to ask me how I feel
You are not in a position to inquire about my feelings
You have no right to speak to me so kind
You do not have the authority to talk to me with such kindness
I can't go on just holding on to time
I cannot just continue to wait and hold onto time
Now that we're living (living) separate lives
Since we have now started living separate lives
Well I held on to let you go
I held on to you, but finally had to let you go
And if you lost your love for me, well you never let it show (never let it show)
If you stopped loving me, you never made it apparent
There was no way to compromise
There was no possible agreement to be made
So now we're living (living)
Presently living
Separate lives
But lives no longer intertwined
Ooh, it's so typical, love leads to isolation
It is so common for love to lead to distance and separation
So you build that wall (build that wall)
As a result, you put up an emotional barrier
Yes, you build that wall (build that wall)
You deliberately build that wall stronger
And you make it stronger
To protect yourself and your emotions
Some day I might (I might) find myself looking in your eyes
One day I might glance in your direction
But for now, we'll go on living separate lives
But for the time being, we will continue to live separate lives
Yes for now, we'll go on living separate lives
Yes, for now, we will continue to live our separate lives
Ah, separate lives
Lives that are separate from each other
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Bishop
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Forrest31962
Still enjoying this masterpiece in 2024; I hope you are,too 🤟💖
@daleroth1477
Yep! Music that hits you right in the aorta! 😂
@JJ-um5ec
Same, love this tune
@PassiveAgressive319
I am
@ajs41
Agree, but please can Phil upload it again with better sound.
@annehunter988
To me it's timeless 😍
@buzzindrones
Who’s listening to this masterpiece in 2023 give me a thumbs up
@angiesmith8040
Meeee
@elkegerlach4000
Now we are in 2024 and I still love this song 😢❤
@kimberlyblount1785
2024 baby! My sister and I would bake brownies and sit across the kitchen table singing this as loud as we could to each other! Of course no one else was home! We were weird teenagers 😂 now we TRY and sing it at 50 and 47 years when we get together 😊