Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
Psychic TV Lyrics

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Little by little the night turns around.
Counting the leaves which tremble at dawn
Lotuses lean on each other in yearning
Under the eaves the swallow is resting

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.

Over the mountain watching the watcher.

Breaking the darkness, waking the grapevine.
One inch of love is one inch of shadow
Love is the shadow that ripens the wine.

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.
The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun.

Witness the man who raves at the wall
Making the shape of his questions to Heaven
Whether the sun will fall in the evening
Will he remember the lesson of giving?

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.
The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Psychic TV's "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" are open to interpretation, as with many psychedelic rock songs from the 1960s and 1970s. However, there are some themes and images that stand out. The first stanza describes a dawn, with the singer observing the natural world around them - leaves trembling, lotuses yearning, and a swallow resting. The second stanza shifts to a more cosmic perspective, with the singer watching the watcher (perhaps referencing astronomical observation) and pondering the relationship between love and shadow. Then, there's the chorus - "Set the controls for the heart of the sun" - which could be seen as a call to action or a surreal command to some kind of spaceship captain. The final stanza introduces a new character, the man who raves at the wall, and leaves us with a question about whether he will remember the lesson of giving as the sun sets.

Line by Line Meaning

Little by little the night turns around.
Gradually, the darkness of the night gives way to the light of day.

Counting the leaves which tremble at dawn
Observing the movement and changes in the natural world during the early morning hours.

Lotuses lean on each other in yearning
The flowers reach out to each other in a symbol of longing and connection.

Under the eaves the swallow is resting
A bird is taking refuge from the elements under the rooftop, seeking shelter and solace.

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.
Directing oneself towards the center of power and radiance, where the ultimate source of energy resides.

Over the mountain watching the watcher.
Observing the observer and becoming aware of the cyclical patterns of existence.

Breaking the darkness, waking the grapevine.
Bringing life and vitality to the natural world, stimulating growth and abundance.

One inch of love is one inch of shadow
Love and darkness are intertwined, and even the smallest act of love can have a profound impact.

Love is the shadow that ripens the wine.
Love is a transformative force that imbues life with greater depth and meaning.

Witness the man who raves at the wall
Seeing someone who is struggling, unable to find answers or solutions to their problems despite their efforts.

Making the shape of his questions to Heaven
Pleading for guidance and assistance from a higher power, hoping for clarity and understanding.

Whether the sun will fall in the evening
Contemplating the impermanence of life and the inevitability of change and eventual decline.

Will he remember the lesson of giving?
Will the person faced with adversity remember the importance of generosity and compassion towards others?

Set the controls for the heart of the sun.
Once again directing oneself towards the ultimate source of power and vitality, seeking renewal and sustenance.

The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun.
Repeating and emphasizing the importance of the center of energy and life, as a guiding principle and source of inspiration.

Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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