Get Behind Me
Scott Walker Lyrics
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It's the signs as we see them
There's no thresholds at all
There's no vows to be broken
As we rise, or we fall
There's no noise high above us
As the moon turns in space
Just the face of a lady
Who we loved for her grace
Get behind me, Get behind me
Won't you bend my ear again
I really need a friend
Get behind me, Get behind me
Remind me to remind me
Not to go back there again
When the threads of dark moments
Start to tremble with sound
And an almost formed whisper dies
The boundaries surround
We keep reaching beyond us
Through the shape shifting clouds
Why ain't I like you brother,
So electric, so proud
Get behind me, Get behind me
Won't you bend my ear again
I really need a friend
Get behind me, Get behind me
Remind me to remind me
Not to go back there again
Set us free of this feeling
So we'll be once again
So we won't feel the gravity of time
And the face in the faces
Of the loves we move through
Reappears in original design
Get behind me, Get behind me
Won't you bend my ear again
I really need a friend
Get behind me, Get behind me
Remind me to remind me
Not to go back there again
In Scott Walker's song "Get Behind Me," the lyrics appear to describe a sense of determination and resilience despite the challenges and uncertainties that the singer faces. The opening lines suggest a sense of acceptance and adaptation to whatever comes their way, with "No thresholds at all" and "no vows to be broken" as a representation of this idea. The reference to a "lady/Who we loved for her grace" could indicate someone who provided comfort or inspiration to the singer during a difficult time.
The repeated refrain of "Get behind me" takes on a dual meaning, both as an imperative to push forward and overcome obstacles and as a plea for companionship and support. The verses reference struggles with doubt and vulnerability, such as "the threads of dark moments" that "tremble with sound" and the envy of someone who seems to possess a greater sense of confidence and vitality. However, the singer ultimately seeks liberation from these feelings, "So we won't feel the gravity of time," and a return to a state of emotional and spiritual purity.
Overall, "Get Behind Me" is a song that encapsulates the trials and triumphs of the human experience, acknowledging the difficult times while maintaining a sense of hope and determination in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Get Behind Me
Let's move forward and leave behind what's holding us back
It's the signs as we see them
We should pay attention to the signs around us
There's no thresholds at all
We aren't limited by any set rules or boundaries
There's no vows to be broken
We don't have any promises to each other that could be broken
As we rise, or we fall
We'll face challenges together and overcome them or fail together
There's no noise high above us
There aren't any external distractions to steer us off our path
As the moon turns in space
Life will keep moving, even if we stay the same
Just the face of a lady
The memory of a beautiful woman we both loved
Who we loved for her grace
We treasured her for her inner beauty and elegance
Get behind me, Get behind me
Let's work together and move forward together
Won't you bend my ear again
I need your advice and support
I really need a friend
I need someone who understands me and my struggles
Remind me to remind me
Help me remember what's important and not to lose sight of it
Not to go back there again
Let's not make the same mistakes again
When the threads of dark moments
During times of sadness and despair
Start to tremble with sound
We start to feel like things are out of control and chaotic
And an almost formed whisper dies
Our hopes and dreams seem to slip away
The boundaries surround
We feel trapped and unable to change our situation
We keep reaching beyond us
We keep striving for something better, even if it seems out of reach
Through the shape shifting clouds
Despite the challenges and obstacles we keep looking for a way forward
Why ain't I like you brother,
Why don't I have your strength and confidence, my friend?
So electric, so proud
You have such an electrifying presence and I admire your courage
Set us free of this feeling
Help us break free from our negative emotions
So we'll be once again
So we can feel like our true selves again
So we won't feel the gravity of time
So we can escape the feeling like time is slipping away
And the face in the faces
And the people we love
Of the loves we move through
As we journey through our lives
Reappears in original design
We remember why we loved them in the first place and the beauty they brought into our lives
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.