Sparkle
Phish (W/ Carlos Santana**) Lyrics
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You're hoping that your dread will lift
It glitters on her like a glass
You shudder as it comes to pass
Apologize to Luce and Lil'
Converse with Ed, a drive with Jill
Your friends confine you in their worlds
One by one, a string of pearls
You hover in their unity
Ashamed, you slowly lose your grasp
Release the links, undo the clasp
The skin that drips down from the tree
And peels back slowly from your knee
Erupts into your lung and heart
You laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and laughing, fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
The lyrics to "Sparkle" by Phish featuring Carlos Santana describe a feeling of social pressure and discomfort. The singer is buying a gift and trying to fit in with their friends, but feels like they are losing their grip on their identity in the process. They apologize to Luce and Lil' and converse with Ed and Jill, but they feel increasingly confused and ashamed. Eventually, they release the links that are confining them and fall apart with laughter.
The song seems to be about the struggle to maintain independence and authenticity while also trying to fit in with social circles. The gift that the singer buys could represent a token of their attempt to please others, but it only makes them feel more uncomfortable. Apologizing to Luce and Lil' and talking to Ed and Jill could represent attempts to smooth over social tensions and connect with others, but the singer ultimately realizes that these efforts are not enough to maintain their sense of self. By releasing the links and falling apart with laughter, they are perhaps embracing the absurdity of this struggle and letting go of some of their anxiety.
Overall, "Sparkle" offers a complex and introspective take on the challenges of forging connections with others while also staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
The pressure builds, you buy a gift
Feeling obligated to impress someone, you hope that a present will improve the situation
You're hoping that your dread will lift
You are anxious and believe that the gift will help alleviate your fear
It glitters on her like a glass
The gift looks beautiful on her, shining brightly
You shudder as it comes to pass
It makes you tense and nervous to witness her receiving the present
Apologize to Luce and Lil'
You are sorry to Luce and Lil', who are involved in this situation.
Converse with Ed, a drive with Jill
You talk to Ed and take a ride with Jill, as you try to distract yourself from your worries.
Your friends confine you in their worlds
Your friends have limited you to their social circle and viewpoint.
One by one, a string of pearls
You slowly become friends with their friends and are strung along with pearls of different ideas and beliefs.
Confuse you say, this isn't me
You begin to feel lost and wonder if your true self is being compromised.
You hover in their unity
You float aimlessly in their collective togetherness and find it difficult to separate yourself from them.
Ashamed, you slowly lose your grasp
Feeling guilty, you gradually lose your hold on who you truly are.
Release the links, undo the clasp
You make a conscious decision to break away from your friends and remove yourself from the situation.
The skin that drips down from the tree
Sap leaking from a tree is used as a metaphor for dripping bodily fluids, possibly relating to release or relief.
And peels back slowly from your knee
This line could represent the physical sensation of shedding the skin, which may be intensely personal or even painful.
Erupts into your lung and heart
The feeling is so intense that it affects your organs and emotions.
You laugh and laughing, fall apart
The release from the pressure is so immense that you uncontrollably laugh and lose control of yourself, falling apart.
Laugh and Laughing fall apart
The final lines repeat the previous sentiment, emphasizing the magnitude of the release.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, WHO IS SHE MUSIC INC.
Written by: EDWARD JOEL KOWALCZYK, CHAD DAVID TAYLOR, PATRICK DAHLHEIMER, CHAD ALAN GRACEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind