Half Light
Porcupine Tree Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Such a pale light
Such a long night
Pick up that key
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
Is it me?
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
It's been so long
Years have gone
Since I belonged
Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you




Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you

Overall Meaning

Porcupine Tree's song Half Light is a soulful, introspective journey where the singer is searching for a sense of belonging and acceptance. "Such a pale light, such a long night" sets the tone for the entire song, where the singer is lost in darkness, seeking a way out. The line "Pick up that key, don't drop your gaze in your coffee" could be interpreted as the singer getting a chance to unravel the truth, and they should not miss the opportunity. They should instead try to look around and be aware of their surroundings.


The line "Is it me? Do I look beautiful in the half light?" suggests that the singer is unsure of themselves and is seeking validation from their surroundings. The singer is finding it hard to accept themselves, and the pale light is further indicative of their insecurities, half-concealed and shallow. They are looking for someone to help them and the lines "Hold me please, stay with me, and I will sleep" are indicative of that.


The remainder of the song is the singer finding some solace in a fleeting moment. "I will go now, but I will be with you. Hold my gaze, hold me inside you" suggests that the singer knows that they might not find the place they belong in just yet, but they have found someone who understands them. They might leave but will always stay intertwined with the other person.


Line by Line Meaning

Such a pale light
The light is dim and lackluster. It suggests a melancholic or gloomy atmosphere.


Such a long night
The night is seemingly endless, long enough to evoke a feeling of despair or grief.


Pick up that key
This can be interpreted as a call for action or a suggestion to take control of a situation. The key may represent a solution or a way out.


Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
This may imply the need to stay alert or vigilant, not to be lost in thought or distraction.


Is it me?
This raises a question about one's identity, worth or relevance to someone else, or doubts about oneself.


Do I look beautiful in the half light?
This may reflect the desire to appear in a certain way, to be seen in a favorable light, or to have one's beauty or worth recognized.


It's been so long
This expresses a sense of time passing, of something being missed or forgotten, or a feeling of nostalgia.


Years have gone
This reinforces the idea of a long period of time that has elapsed, and may further suggest a deep sense of loss or longing.


Since I belonged
This hints at a disconnect or a sense of not belonging, of being excluded or left out of something or somewhere.


Hold me please
This is a plea for comfort or emotional support, a sign of vulnerability or distress.


Stay with me
This may express a fear of being alone, a desire for companionship or reassurance, or an emotional attachment to someone.


And I will sleep
This suggests a sense of safety or comfort, of being able to let go and rest, or of finding peace in someone's presence.


I will go now
This implies a departure or a farewell, and may carry different connotations depending on the context.


But I will be with you
This reassures the other person that the singer will still be there in some way, perhaps in memory, spirit, or love.


Hold my gaze
This can be interpreted as a request for attention, connection, or intimacy, or as a challenge or a test of sincerity.


Hold me inside you
This is a metaphor for being deeply understood, valued, or cherished, and for leaving a lasting impression on someone's heart or soul.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: COLIN EDWIN BALCH, GAVIN RICHARD HARRISON, RICHARD BARBIERI, STEVEN WILSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@magal669

My dog died in my arms two months ago, he was only 6 years old… that song reminds me those moments when he looked at me while he took his last breaths, “Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you”
I miss you so much, I wish to spend just one more minute with you…
RIP Snow



@avinashsingh-sp4nj

Lyrics
Such a pale light
Such a long night
Pick up that key
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
Is it me?
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
It's been so long
Years have gone
Since I belonged
Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you



@goodnightkiss5008

Such a pale light
Such a long night
Pick up that key
Don't drop your gaze in your coffee
Is it me?
Do I look beautiful in the half light?
It's been so long
Years have gone
Since I belonged
Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you

Omg such a beautiful, touching and perfect piece of art. I miss PT so much. Goosebumps all over.



All comments from YouTube:

@Prizzy999

No words can describe how beautiful this song is. And Wesley's voice, well....Steven always know how to make his songs even better live, he surrounds himself with the best musicians/vocalists.
Goosebumps all the way.

@spandanhetfield

All the magic of this version comes from Wesley's vocals in my opinion. That guy is so so talented.

@Ujjwal772

+Spandan Madan I think he's quite underrated being alongside Steven and Gavin in the band. Same goes for the synth. All are remarkable musicians and their coming together is the divinity named Porcupine Tree!

@ayurbhatta8861

True.

@nikunjkaushik4

+Ujjwal Kumar actualy evrbdy in PT are awsem.....each one hav there own significanc....for ex. john weasley is a goood sound enginner.....that steven is not...and steven is a brilliant producer that weasley is not...!!\m/ hav fun

@indrasismitra6484

you put that really nice dude....slow clap

@SmartKidofTrains

That and that live-only beautiful solo.

18 More Replies...

@magal669

My dog died in my arms two months ago, he was only 6 years old… that song reminds me those moments when he looked at me while he took his last breaths, “Hold me please
Stay with me
And I will sleep
I will go now
But I will be with you
Hold my gaze
Hold me inside you”
I miss you so much, I wish to spend just one more minute with you…
RIP Snow

@enriquediaz4632

When I first listened this song I was with a beautiful girl who told me that this song reminded her to her ex. I went out with her for a little while, but it didn’t work out. She was still depressed for the recent rupture. I fell in love, and she just couldn’t feel anything. I don’t blame her, I’ve been there. Every time I listen to this song I think of her and all the good times we lived. I hope she is okay, and I always will remember her like one of the best things that ever happened to me.

@PintordeBatallas

Eres una buena persona. Me has traído al recuerdo una historia mía, de años de escribirnos y compartirnos música (sí, Porcupine Tree entre ella), de querernos muchísimo... y que al final no pudo ser. Las historias pueden terminar pero el amor vivido siempre será precioso.

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