The Only Sound That Matters
Robert Plant & Band Of Joy Lyrics

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Why are my words running together
I thought you'd anchor me down
Forget all that let's get out
Tonight it's you and me
Looking for the only sound that matters

Sometimes you're so misleading
Sometimes you just feel right

Put me to sleep so easily or keep me out all night
Looking for the only sound that matters
Is there one in here
Looking for the only sound that matters

And it's drawn to you like a compass

That's leading you on
Like a back light too
It's your protection
It's leaving it on
Waiting for your return the only sound that matters

Put me to sleep so easily or keep me out all night
Looking for the only sound that matters
Was it what you thought

Just looking for the only sound that matters
Yeah was it what you thought

Overall Meaning

In Robert Plant's song The Only Sound That Matters, the lyrics express a sense of yearning for something deeper and more meaningful. The opening line "why are my words running together" may indicate a sense of disorientation or confusion, as if the singer is struggling to express themselves. They had hoped that someone else would help ground them ("I thought you'd anchor me down"), but this hasn't happened. Despite this, the song's energy is not defeated, as the singer suggests they should "get out" and pursue something more exciting.

The central theme of the song is the search for the "only sound that matters". This phrase is repeated several times, underscoring its importance to the singer. It could be interpreted as a metaphor for a true connection, a moment of clarity, or a sense of purpose. The search for this elusive sound is complicated by conflicting feelings: the person the singer is with is sometimes "misleading", but at other times feels "right". There is a sense of urgency in the repetition of the phrase "looking for the only sound that matters", suggesting that this is not just a passing fancy, but something vital that the singer needs to find.

The last verse introduces the idea of the "back light", an image that reinforces the sense of searching for something in the darkness. The singer seems to be waiting for someone to return, but it's not clear who this is or why they are waiting. The song ends on a question, "was it what you thought", suggesting that the search for the "only sound that matters" may be ongoing and uncertain.

Line by Line Meaning

Why are my words running together
My thoughts are jumbled and unsure, and my speech reflects that confusion.

I thought you'd anchor me down
I believed that you would provide stability and support, but I'm feeling adrift instead.

Forget all that let's get out
Let's ignore our worries and go where the night takes us.

Tonight it's you and me
We're in this together, and we'll face whatever comes our way as a team.

Looking for the only sound that matters
We're searching for the one thing that truly resonates with us and gives our lives meaning.

Sometimes you're so misleading
Your actions or words can be confusing or contradictory at times.

Sometimes you just feel right
Despite the occasional confusion, being with you just feels like the right thing to do.

Put me to sleep so easily or keep me out all night
Whether we spend the night talking or just relaxing in each other's company, being with you is both soothing and invigorating.

Is there one in here
We're wondering if there's anyone else around who understands this search for the one truly meaningful thing in life.

And it's drawn to you like a compass
The search for the 'only sound that matters' leads us to you, as if guided by a compass.

That's leading you on
This search is driving us relentlessly forward, but we trust that it's taking us to where we need to be.

Like a back light too
Just as a light behind a vehicle helps guide it, we feel that our search will be helped by what we've left behind us.

It's your protection
You're a source of safety and comfort in a world that can be confusing and frightening.

It's leaving it on
We're keeping that light on for those who might come after us on this same journey.

Waiting for your return the only sound that matters
We'll be here waiting when you're ready, because life is only truly satisfying when we're all following the 'only sound that matters.'

Was it what you thought
Did our search bring us the results we were hoping for?

Just looking for the only sound that matters
We never stopped searching, because we know that finding the one thing that really matters is the key to a fulfilling life.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREG VANDERPOOL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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