Parallel Lives
RóisÃn Murphy Lyrics
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I just got you wrong, it's not built to last, it's not built to last
Time keeps on trippin' on, though I learn my lessons fast
And it was time for me to cut and run
And if I ever do the past, you're not the only one, we're living
Parallel lives, ooh, you're not the only one
We're so entwined to lose it
We came untied, we came untied
We live separate lives, can't even organize
One more meeting of minds ain't gonna make it right, no
There's more humanity in just letting it be, now
'Cause I can't seem to justify when we're livin' separate dreams
Have we forgotten love, we're lost in
Parallel lives, ooh, you're not the only one
We're so entwined to lose it
To the passin' of time, ooh, we came undone
We came untied, we came untied
Parallel lives, ooh, you're not the only one
We're so entwined to lose it
To the passin' of time, ooh, we came undone
We came untied, we came untied
Are we chose to give it
Are we chose to live it, our separate lives?
Got too close to heaven
But are we too driven in a parallel light?
All because we chose to live it
Are we chose to give in our separate lives?
Got too close to heaven
Well, are we too driven in a parallel light?
What were we destined for, to live in
Parallel lives, ooh, you're not the only one
We're so entwined to lose it
To the passin' of time, ooh, we came undone
We came untied, we came untied
Parallel lives, ooh, you're not the only one
We're so entwined to choose it
To the passin' of time, ooh, we came undone
We came untied, we came untied
In "Parallel Lives," Róisín Murphy sings about the complexities of relationships that don't work out, despite the best efforts of both parties involved. She describes her own situation where her "ring kept him on" but she eventually learned that the relationship "is not built to last." Despite her lessons learned, she finds herself entwined with the other person and unable to completely let go. The chorus of the song refers to the idea of "parallel lives," highlighting how they are separate and divergent, hence the impossibility of making the relationship work. She questions if they were "destined" to live in such parallel worlds.
The lyrics reveal a complicated emotional struggle between two people, who understand the futility of holding onto a relationship that isn't going to work, yet are still drawn to each other. They can't organize their lives together or make it work, and despite attempts to reconcile their differences, they remain separated. In the end, Murphy accepts the reality of the situation and suggests that sometimes it's best just to let things be, rather than trying to force something that's not meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
My ring kept him on, been learnin' fast
The singer's marriage kept her partner around, but she's quickly learning that it's not a lasting relationship.
I just got you wrong, it's not built to last, it's not built to last
The singer realizes that she misunderstood her partner and their relationship isn't meant to last long-term.
Time keeps on trippin' on, though I learn my lessons fast
Although the singer is quickly learning from her past experiences, time keeps moving forward.
And it was time for me to cut and run
The artist realizes that it's time to end the relationship and move on.
And if I ever do the past, you're not the only one, we're living
If the artist looks back on the past, her partner won't be the only one in her memories, as they are both living their separate lives.
Parallel lives, ooh, you're not the only one
The singer and her partner live separate lives, and the partner isn't the only one experiencing this.
We're so entwined to lose it
Despite living separate lives, the singer and her partner are still connected in some way that could lead to a loss.
To the passin' of time, ooh, we came undone
As time passes, the relationship between the artist and her partner has come undone.
We came untied, we came untied
The artist and her partner are no longer connected like they were before.
We live separate lives, can't even organize
The artist and her partner's lives are so different that they can't even coordinate with each other.
One more meeting of minds ain't gonna make it right, no
Having another conversation won't fix the fundamental differences between the singer and her partner.
There's more humanity in just letting it be, now
It's more humane to let the relationship end rather than try to force it to work when it can't.
'Cause I can't seem to justify when we're livin' separate dreams
The singer can't justify staying in a relationship where they're both living different lives.
Have we forgotten love, we're lost in
The singer wonders if they have both forgotten what it means to be in love, or if they've just become too caught up in their separate lives.
Are we chose to give in our separate lives?
The singer questions if they have chosen to give up on their relationship while living separate lives.
Got too close to heaven
The artist and her partner got really close, but something prevented them from staying together.
Well, are we too driven in a parallel light?
The artist questions if they are both too focused on their separate paths to successfully merge them back together.
What were we destined for, to live in
The singer ponders what their destiny was, as they now live their separate lives.
We're so entwined to choose it
Despite living different lives, the singer and her partner are still connected in some way that requires them to make a choice.
We came untied, we came untied
The artist and her partner have become more disconnected from each other.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: RICHARD JOHN PHILLIPS, ROISIN MURPHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind