if not for you
Shakey Graves Lyrics


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Well, which one is your world
If for little old you
And you see that sun as an obvious group
Yeah, he comes around after the moon goes down
Yeah, just to have a little fun
Until the day is done

Well I saw why
Ooh, do you even try
Oh to find an alibi
If you come around I hope you stay the whole damn night
And bring some friends and bring some foes and come along and tell some jokes
And if you're anything like me, oh baby, just you wait and see
Mmm never seems like a good idea

Well if all
Well if all the lights said stop
And the oceans they did drop
Then I'd always feel so on top if not for you
Oh, but oh how time went by
And the oceans they did rise
And I always felt so hypnotized and not by you
And not by you
And not by you
And not by you
And not by you




And not by you
And not by you

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of the song “Well, which one is your world? If for little old you. And you see that sun as an obvious group” could be interpreted as a reflection of the idea that what we perceive in the world around us is subjective and therefore not necessarily indicative of objective reality. The lines could also be interpreted as expressing the sentiment that people often cling to their own beliefs and opinions, even if they don't necessarily align with truth. The imagery of the sun being part of an "obvious group" could be suggesting that the things we take for granted as being immutable or obvious can also be subject to change.


The chorus of the song "Well if all the lights said stop, And the oceans they did drop, Then I'd always feel so on top if not for you" represents the idea that even in a world where everything has been upended, the singer would feel in control if not for the subject of the song. While the lyric "And not by you" is repeated several times, there is no clear explanation of who or what "you" could be. This may indicate that the song is meant to be open to interpretation and that the listener is free to draw their conclusions.


Overall, the lyrics of the song If Not for You may speak to the idea that the world we perceive is subjective, and that our experiences and relationships shape our worldview. The song may also be seen as a reflection on the fleeting nature of time and memory and the power that others have over us.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, which one is your world
Which reality do you choose to live in?


If for little old you
If everything revolved around you


And you see that sun as an obvious group
When you think of the sun, you see it as part of a larger system.


Yeah, he comes around after the moon goes down
The sun only appears after the moon has set.


Yeah, just to have a little fun
The sun's appearance is just for enjoyment.


Until the day is done
Until it sets and nightfall arrives.


Well I saw why
I understand the reason for something


Ooh, do you even try
Are you even making an effort?


Oh to find an alibi
Oh, to come up with an excuse


If you come around I hope you stay the whole damn night
If you visit, I want you to stay for the entire night


And bring some friends and bring some foes and come along and tell some jokes
Bring whoever you'd like and share some laughs with us.


And if you're anything like me, oh baby, just you wait and see
If you relate to me, just wait and see what'll happen


Mmm never seems like a good idea
It always seems like a bad idea.


Well if all
If everything


Well if all the lights said stop
If every light signaled to stop


And the oceans they did drop
If the oceans receded


Then I'd always feel so on top if not for you
I'd feel like I'm in control, but not because of you.


Oh, but oh how time went by
Time passed by so quickly.


And the oceans they did rise
The oceans surged and got bigger.


And I always felt so hypnotized and not by you
I always felt mesmerized, but not because of you.


And not by you
Not because of anything you did.


And not by you
Not because of anything you did.


And not by you
Not because of anything you did.


And not by you
Not because of anything you did.


And not by you
Not because of anything you did.


And not by you
Not because of anything you did.




Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Written by: ALEJANDRO ROSE GARCIA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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