Krieger taught himself to play guitar in a private school where his parents sent him after having some troubles in study. At first, he was interested in flamenco, but soon he expanded his playing to jazz, blues and folk.
Robby met Ray Manzarek in one of the meditation classes he was attending. Manzarek asked Krieger to jam with his fellow bandmembers John Densmore, who Robby knew already from a band called The Psychedelic Rangers, and a singer/poet called Jim Morrison.
Krieger wrote many of the band's classic songs. Light My Fire, Love Me Two Times, Touch Me and Love Her Madly were all written by him.
After The Doors, Krieger has become known as a jazz guitarist, has recorded multiple solo albums, and is currently playing, along with Ray Manzarek, in a group called Riders On The Storm. He has also guested on a number of projects organised by Billy Sherwood, including Return to the Dark Side of the Moon and From Here to Infinity by Jim Ladd's Headsets.
Across the Universe
Robby Krieger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass
They slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow waves of joy
are drifting thorough my open mind
Possessing and caressing me
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Robby Krieger's "Across the Universe" is a cover of the Beatles song, originally written by John Lennon. The lyrics describe an inner journey, with thoughts and emotions flowing like "endless rain" into a "paper cup", slipping away across the universe. The singer's mind is open to both "pools of sorrow" and "waves of joy", which possess and caress him. The repeated refrain of "Jai guru deva om" adds a spiritual dimension to the song, invoking the traditional Indian salutation to the guru as a way of acknowledging higher wisdom and enlightenment. The singer declares that "Nothing's gonna change my world", expressing a sense of acceptance and surrender to what is.
The images of "broken light" that dance like a million eyes and the "restless wind" that tumbles blindly suggest a sense of chaos and uncertainty, yet the singer remains receptive to the experience, allowing thoughts and emotions to meander freely. The sounds of laughter and shades of life that ring through the singer's open ears are exciting and inviting, offering a sense of possibility and wonder. The "limitless undying love" that shines like a million suns suggests a transcendent, all-encompassing force that draws the singer on and on across the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
Words are flying out like endless rain into a paper cup
Thoughts and words come and go constantly, and they are not always captured or given the attention they deserve.
They slither while they pass
These passing thoughts and words don't always feel tangible or easily graspable.
They slip away across the universe
These intangible thoughts and words wander freely and can travel in any direction, unrestricted.
Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting thorough my open mind
As someone with an open mind, the artist is able to experience all kinds of emotions, both negative and positive.
Possessing and caressing me
These emotions are so strong, they feel like they are actively controlling and nurturing the artist.
Jai guru deva om
A mantra or phrase used for meditation and spiritual focus.
Nothing's gonna change my world
Despite the chaos and unpredictability of life, the singer feels a sense of contentment and is at peace with their surroundings.
Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes
The artist sees various images and lights that come and go, each reminding them of something or someone important.
That call me on and on across the universe
These shifting images and memories bring the artist to different places and evoke different feelings as they persistently follow them through life.
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
The artist's thoughts are everchanging and constantly moving, much like the wind shifting around in a confined space.
they tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe
These wandering thoughts move blindly and with little direction or purpose, much like the endless expanse of the universe.
Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing through my open ears
The artist is receptive to the world around them, taking in all the sounds and experiences that life has to offer.
exciting and inviting me
These experiences and interactions are thrilling and inspiring to the singer.
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a million suns
The singer feels an overwhelming sense of love and compassion that radiates around them, illuminating everything in their life.
It calls me on and on across the universe
This love and compassion are guiding the singer through life, leading them to new people and experiences.
Jai guru deva
A continued focus on spiritual and mindful meditation.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind