Backwords
Porcelain Raft Lyrics


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Before you choose the right words, before you even start to explain
That was the last thing to do
Tap dancing on the top-roof, hanging pictures on the wall
I’ve got something here for you

Maybe I’ve never mentioned to you, it wasn’t hard to run away from home
That’s at least what I’ve shown to you
I hope you are in a nice hotel, playing cards in your room
With someone who cares over you

And I’m glad you wanted to make it clear
You didn’t mean to hurt anyone I’m sure
No you didn’t mean to hurt anyone I’m sure

Calling everybody that I loved the most
Telling secrets no one had to know
It wasn’t me that stole some from you





I read the news about someone that could only talk backwords
Strange enough I thought about you

Overall Meaning

The song "Backwords" by Porcelain Raft is a hauntingly beautiful track that seems to deal with the complexities of addressing past mistakes and searching for forgiveness. The opening lines suggest that one is struggling to communicate effectively, perhaps because they fear hurting others or acknowledging their own shortcomings. The singer is depicted as tap dancing on the roof and hanging pictures, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for constructing a façade or putting on a show. They then imply that they have run away from home before, which may have contributed to their current difficulties in expressing themselves.


The middle section of the song references a loved one who is in a hotel room, playing cards with someone who cares about them. The singer seems to be expressing a sense of relief that this person is happy and cared for, even as they struggle with their own emotional turmoil. The refrain "No you didn't mean to hurt anyone I'm sure" is repeated several times, perhaps indicating a desire to believe that others' actions are not intended to cause harm.


The final verse is the most mysterious, describing the singer calling loved ones and sharing secrets, followed by the news of someone who could only speak in reverse. It's unclear how these threads connect, but they suggest a sense of disorientation and confusion. The song seems to be grappling with the difficulties of processing the past and finding a way forward, even as the world appears upside down.


Line by Line Meaning

Before you choose the right words, before you even start to explain
Before attempting to communicate, carefully consider the words you will use to express yourself


That was the last thing to do
Choosing poorly could have dire consequences


Tap dancing on the top-roof, hanging pictures on the wall
Taking unconventional actions and sprucing up one's surroundings can provide comfort and distraction in difficult times


I've got something here for you
The artist has something to offer or share with the listener


Maybe I’ve never mentioned to you, it wasn’t hard to run away from home
The artist has a history of leaving home and keeping secrets from the listener


That’s at least what I’ve shown to you
The singer has hidden their true feelings and experiences from the listener


I hope you are in a nice hotel, playing cards in your room
The singer wishes the listener well and imagines them in a pleasant situation


With someone who cares over you
The artist hopes the listener has found support and companionship


And I’m glad you wanted to make it clear
The artist appreciates the listener's efforts to communicate openly


You didn’t mean to hurt anyone I’m sure
The artist believes the listener did not intentionally cause harm


Calling everybody that I loved the most
The singer reached out to their closest relationships for support and comfort


Telling secrets no one had to know
The artist confided in others about private matters


It wasn’t me that stole some from you
The singer denies any wrongdoing or theft from the listener


I read the news about someone that could only talk backwords
The singer read about an unusual condition that reminded them of the listener


Strange enough I thought about you
The singer had a somewhat unexpected connection to the news story about talking backwards




Contributed by Julia P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@oceanographerradio5256

Before you choose the right words, before you even start to explain
There was the last thing to do
Tap dancing on the top-roof, hanging pictures on the wall
I’ve got something here for you

Maybe I’ve never mentioned to you, it wasn’t hard to run away from home
That’s at least what I’ve shown to you

I hope you are in a nice hotel, playing cards in your room
With someone who cares over you

And I’m glad you wanted to make it clear

You didn’t mean to hurt anyone I’m sure
No you didn’t mean to hurt anyone I’m sure

Calling everybody that I loved the most
Telling secrets no one had to know
It wasn’t me that stole some from you

I read the news about someone that could only talk backwords
Strange enough I thought about you.__♫



All comments from YouTube:

@butimar68

Listening to it for the very first time and I instantly fell for it.

@lavenderhoney3630

"You didn't mean to hurt anyone, I'm sure. No, you didn't mean to hurt anyone, I'm sure...."

This one does something to me every time.
How can someone sound like they're so hopeful yet defeated all at once?

Beautiful.

@Droctagon1

omg this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written ...

@leachristinasolce6913

Favorite song ever... <3

@arnoldanimado9292

Why had I never heard this? this is a piece of art! I'm grateful to have found this

@RUBENEZ3700

I agree!

@ern_moldabek

Me too! Thats somethig more than just song! I agree that is ART!

@WavesofMagenta

My favorite of the album by far

@caredudz

L0VE!!!. I wish i could live inside this song.

@selmagoa9911

so in love with them!!!

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