Ron Sexsmith is a Canadian from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in… Read Full Bio ↴Ron Sexsmith is a Canadian from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in Toronto. He is known as a songwriter's songwriter, with a gift for melody, insightful and understated lyrics, and an expressive, affecting voice.

Sexsmith started his first band at 14. After moving to Toronto he formed the Uncool and released his cassette Out of the Duff, and a year later, There's a Way. Meanwhile, he worked as a courier, and released Grand Opera Lane in 1991. On the strength of this album he earned a contract which led to the self-titled album Ron Sexsmith of 1995. Between 1997 and 2001, Sexsmith released three more albums before the acclaimed Cobblestone Runway in 2002.

Thinking Out Loud
Ron Sexsmith Lyrics

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Thinking out loud
Is all I'm doing
Trying to raise my love
Above the ruins

With each song
I kick it around,
Thinking...

My love I can tell

There's a load on your mind
If we poured ourselves
Like this bottle of wine
And let it flow,

We'll figure it out
Thinking out loud
But it's hard to think with all the racket
Going on inside our heads

All this worrying is getting us nowhere
Let's go somewhere instead
Just thinking out loud
Is it all we're good for?

Trying to raise our love
But always falling short
Heaven knows
What it's all about

Thinking out loud
With each song

I kick it around
Thinking out loud

Overall Meaning

The song “Thinking Out Loud” by Ron Sexsmith is a reflective piece about trying to solve problems in a relationship, specifically one where the partner is carrying a mental burden. The lyrics start with a somber tone, with the singer stating that he is only able to think out loud and is struggling to raise his “love” above the “ruins”. This could refer to a partner who is emotionally or mentally distressed, and the singer is struggling to find a solution.

The song then shifts to a more hopeful perspective, where the singer suggests opening a bottle of wine and pouring out their thoughts to each other. He believes that they can work through their issues as long as they “figure it out” together. The lyrics also suggest that worrying about their problems is not productive, and instead they should take action and go somewhere together. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that raising their love might not be easy, but he is committed to finding a solution by continuously “thinking out loud” and reflecting on their situation.

Overall, “Thinking Out Loud” is a beautiful song with a deep message about relationships and the struggles that come with them. It’s a reminder to communicate and work through problems together, rather than getting caught up in worry and anxiety.

Line by Line Meaning

Thinking out loud
Mulling over thoughts and emotions

Is all I'm doing
Engaged in constant introspection

Trying to raise my love
Attempting to elevate and improve the state of his love

Above the ruins
Despite the havoc and destruction around him

With each song
Through the writing and creation of music

I kick it around,
Reflect and ponder on it

Thinking...
Deep contemplation

My love I can tell
His significant other has a lot on their mind

There's a load on your mind
His partner is dealing with a heavy burden

If we poured ourselves
If we opened up and shared ourselves

Like this bottle of wine
Just like opening up a bottle of wine and letting it flow and unwind