According to the Slow Songfacts, Sarah spent the early years of her life in Pakistan,having been born in Islamabad on 3rd June 1979, where her father was the chief-engineer of the enormous Tarbela Dam, 30 miles to the northwest of Islamabad. The youngest of seven children, living in an expat colony without TV or newspapers, Rumer and her family would often sing and write songs together. Her brother Rob gave Rumer her first guitar; which she taught herself to play, and on which, years later, she wrote all the songs on her debut album, Seasons of My Soul.
The singer/songwriter spent her teenage years in Carlisle at Newman School before leaving at 16 to pursue her ambition. It has been a hard slog but years later she is finally hitting the big time and gradually becoming a household name. She now hopes her success will inspire other young people to follow their dreams.
Having had her single listed ahead of its release on both Radio 2 and Magic FM, she is also preparing to support Jools Holland on his UK tour this autumn – the finale being a show at the Albert Hall.
She also has a celebrity fan in the form of easy listening legend Burt Bacharach, who invited her to sing for him when she visited California.
Reach Out
Rumer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a tear in your eye
You don't wanna talk about
How you feel tonight
No, I can't ease your mind
Or say it's gonna be fine
Just that I've been there, baby
And I know what it's like
And you're not going back there this time
'Cause you've got God's help and mine
Why don't you reach out
And touch me in the darkness
I'll bring you back
I'm gonna reach out
And touch you in the darkness
I'll bring you back home
I know you've got a worried mind
It can take you down
It can take you out
Do you still recognize
The love that's in my eyes?
You see, I've been there, baby
And I know what it's like
And you're not going back there this time
'Cause you've got God's help and mine
Why don't you reach out
And touch me in the darkness
I'll bring you back
I'm gonna reach out
And touch you in the darkness
I'll bring you back home
Oh, no one could ever know
The places that you go
When you're alone
Oh, no one could ever know
The places that you go
When you're alone
But you're not alone
Why don't you reach out
And touch me in the darkness
I'll bring you back
I'm gonna reach out
And touch you in the darkness
I'll bring you back home
Reach out
And touch me in the darkness
I'll bring you back
I'm gonna reach out
And touch you in the darkness
I'll bring you back home
The lyrics to Rumer’s song “Reach Out” is a poignant message of support and understanding to someone who is going through a difficult time. The song is about being there for someone when they are feeling alone, sad or lost, and assuring them that they are not alone, and that there are people who care about them and are there to help.
The first stanza sets the tone for the song, with the lyrics “You lay down, there’s a tear in your eye, you don’t wanna talk about how you feel tonight, no I can’t ease your mind, or say it’s gonna be fine, just that I’ve been there, baby, and I know what it’s like”. These lines speak to the idea that sometimes we just need someone to be there to listen, and to understand that no matter what someone is going through, someone else has likely gone through the same thing before.
The chorus “Why don’t you reach out and touch me in the darkness, I’ll bring you back, I’m gonna reach out and touch you in the darkness, I’ll bring you back home” is a plea for the person to reach out for help, and a reassurance that the support system that’s there for them will help them feel better and bring them back to a place where they feel safe and loved.
Overall, the song is a beautiful and empathetic message that reminds us all that we need to be there for each other, and that sometimes a listening ear and a kind presence can make all the difference in someone’s life.
Line by Line Meaning
You lay down
You're feeling vulnerable and defeated
There's a tear in your eye
You're about to give up hope
You don't wanna talk about
You're reluctant to share your pain with someone else
How you feel tonight
You're hurting from something that happened recently
No, I can't ease your mind
I can't fix your problems for you
Or say it's gonna be fine
I can't promise that things will get better immediately
Just that I've been there, baby
But I understand how you feel because I've been through it too
And I know what it's like
And I want to help you through this tough time
Why don't you reach out
Why don't you try to connect with me
And touch me in the darkness
Even in your darkest moments, I'm here for you
I'll bring you back
I'll help you regain control over your life
I'm gonna reach out
I'm determined to help you
And touch you in the darkness
Even though it may be difficult, I'll make sure you're not alone
I'll bring you back home
I'll help you return to a place of safety and comfort
I know you've got a worried mind
Your mind is full of anxiety, and it's hard to focus on anything else
It can take you down
Your worries can consume you and bring you down
It can take you out
Your worries can cause you to withdraw from others and isolate yourself
Do you still recognize
Do you remember the love we share
The love that's in my eyes?
The love I'm showing you even in this difficult moment
And you're not going back there this time
You're not going to let your worries overwhelm you again
'Cause you've got God's help and mine
We'll get through this together, with the help of a higher power
Oh, no one could ever know
No one could ever understand what you're going through
The places that you go
The dark corners of your mind that you try to hide
When you're alone
When you feel isolated and disconnected from others
But you're not alone
But remember, you are not truly alone, and there are people who care about you
Reach out
Try to connect with someone who can help you
And touch me in the darkness
Even in your darkest moments, I'm here for you
I'll bring you back
I'll help you regain control over your life
I'm gonna reach out
I'm determined to help you
And touch you in the darkness
Even though it may be difficult, I'll make sure you're not alone
I'll bring you back home
I'll help you return to a place of safety and comfort
Contributed by Levi W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Casey
Just listening to Rumer's voice always puts me in a better place.
Michael Hudecek
Me too!!!
jef cabrera
This song is so relaxing..makes me forget that there's an ongoing pandemic that's driving everyones mind crazy. Thank you Rumer..I just hope you get the recognition that you truly deserve. THIS IS MUSIC
AIDAN SMYTH
This little song gets better each time I hear it.... I love it.
db401
On this cold and raining night this song is very comforting. "Thanks Rumer"
F D
Thank goodness for Rumer !!! It's been such a long time since someone this genuinely talented and gifted has shown up on the scene. Absolutely beautiful, performed with a quiet but intense depth. No tricks just true, pure artistry ....... DO MORE RUMER , DO MORE !!!!
Ada Gramble
She got a beautiful soft voice that makes any song stand out, I just love her voice, just beautiful!
Jayne Nicholson
I was sad reaching 70 and alone and then I listened to this wonderful ladies' voice and I am peaceful.
Donald Cyr
For someone who deals with depression and anxiety, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this song
Aniko Somogyi
I am with you in this regard. I have complex PTSD and her amazing vocals and songwriting "brings me back".