Evidence
Ron Carter & T.S. Monk Lyrics
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Picking through books that you won't read again
Keeping your promises vague
Lost in the crowd in the circus parade
Keeping your Polaroids dry
Delirious fevers burn night after night
The cryptic malaise that you're in
To focus attention on books you might write
Ripped off from diaries, kept out of sight
The evidence you hide
Keeping your bed warm at night
It's not an illusion it glows very bright
With the young coal the fire is fed
Who you keep with you is best left unsaid
On finding particular friends
Remember that all moral fiber will bend
To put them in letters you burn as you write
Seen in reflections and not with your eyes
Cultivating lies
The lyrics of Ron Carter & T.S. Monk's song Evidence are intriguing and thought-provoking. The opening lines "Lost in a paperback rain, Picking through books that you won't read again" depict the feeling of being lost and directionless, with the singer going through books that no longer hold any value. The following lines, "Keeping your promises vague, Lost in the crowd in the circus parade," suggest that the singer is struggling to keep up with the expectations of society, resulting in them making vague promises and feeling lost in the chaos of life.
In the next verse, "Keeping your Polaroids dry, Delirious fevers burn night after night, The cryptic malaise that you're in, The art that may come of it I'd recommend," the lyrics talk about the singer's struggle with illness or mental unrest. The reference to keeping Polaroids dry suggests the importance of preserving memories, and the subsequent line talks about the burning desire to create despite the struggles. The final lines, "To focus attention on books you might write, Ripped off from diaries, kept out of sight, The evidence you hide," convey the power of writing and how even our innermost thoughts and experiences can be transformed into art.
Overall, the lyrics of Evidence capture the confusing and often chaotic nature of life, while also highlighting the potential for growth and beauty that can come from our struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Lost in a paperback rain
Feeling lost and uncertain, surrounded by an overwhelming amount of options and information
Picking through books that you won't read again
Sorting through past experiences and memories that you know won't serve you well in the future
Keeping your promises vague
Avoiding specific commitments in order to maintain flexibility and avoid accountability
Lost in the crowd in the circus parade
Feeling anonymous and insignificant in the midst of a chaotic and bewildering environment
Keeping your Polaroids dry
Protecting sentimental possessions and memories from deterioration or loss
Delirious fevers burn night after night
Suffering from intense, exhausting emotions and thoughts that are difficult to escape
The cryptic malaise that you're in
Experiencing a general sense of unease and dissatisfaction, without being able to pinpoint the source
The art that may come of it I'd recommend
Suggesting that creative work can emerge from challenging or negative experiences, and that this can help to provide a sense of purpose and meaning
To focus attention on books you might write
Encouraging the listener to channel their energies and attention towards productive and meaningful activities, such as creative writing
Ripped off from diaries, kept out of sight
Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and emotions, but keeping these private and concealed
The evidence you hide
The personal history and emotions that are not shared or exposed to others
Keeping your bed warm at night
Finding comfort and solace in the safety and familiarity of one's own personal space
It's not an illusion it glows very bright
Confirming that this inner sense of safety and comfort is valuable and real
With the young coal the fire is fed
Nurturing and maintaining a sense of passion and creativity, which is essential for sustaining a fulfilling life
Who you keep with you is best left unsaid
Emphasizing the importance of having close, supportive relationships, but recognizing that these are often private and not shared with others
On finding particular friends
Reflecting on the qualities and experiences that make certain individuals valuable and important to us
Remember that all moral fiber will bend
Recognizing that the strength of one's values and beliefs can be tested by challenging or difficult circumstances
To put them in letters you burn as you write
Acknowledging the difficulty of expressing deep emotions and thoughts in writing, and how this can involve a kind of emotional 'burning'
Seen in reflections and not with your eyes
Regretting the inaccessibility of certain aspects of our past selves or experiences, which must be inferred or imagined rather than directly observed
Cultivating lies
Acknowledging the contradictions and hypocrisies that can arise as we navigate complex social and personal contexts
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS C. PEDERSON, DAVID A. IMMERGLUCK, GREG A. LISHER, VICTOR H. KRUMMENACHER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind