Siobhán Emma Donaghy is an English singer and songwriter of Irish descent. … Read Full Bio ↴Siobhán Emma Donaghy is an English singer and songwriter of Irish descent. She is best known as a founding member of the girl group Sugababes, along with Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. Donaghy left the Sugababes in September 2001 and pursued a solo career. While signed to London Records she wrote and recorded her debut solo album Revolution in Me with Cameron and Marlon McVey, which was released in September 2003. The first single from the album was "Overrated" which made it's way into the UK Singles chart at #19. The album's second single "Twist of Fate" however barely reached the UK top 75. Due the lack of proper promotion and the failure of the second single Revolution in Me only reached #117 on the UK Albums Chart.

After the lack of success of her debut studio album, Donaghy parted ways with London Records and began work on her second studio album. In 2007, she signed with Parlophone Records.

Coming Up For Air
Siobhán Donaghy Lyrics

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Is this a question of time
Is this a question of space
I've been out of my mind
I'm coming up for air
To work it out

If you throw me a line
Then I'll try to replace

All the things I can't find
'Cause I'm coming up for air
To let it out

Defection from the state I'm in
Reflections of a world within

Back with myself again
All my fears
Just like a ball and chain
And I know
Although I am alone
I'm at home
Here with my selfish pain

It's not a question of faith
It's not a question of hope
I'm getting out of this place
I'm coming up for air
To work it out

Defection from the state I'm in
Reflections of a world within

I'm feeling colder now
A little bolder now

Pure as my sins allow
Broke every promise and proud

Overall Meaning

In Siobhán Donaghy's song Coming Up For Air, the lyrics showcase a sense of confusion and a desire to move forward. Donaghy questions whether her current mental state is a question of time or space, suggesting that she is struggling to find her place in the world. She has been feeling lost and out of her mind, and is now coming up for air to work it out. The idea of coming up for air denotes the feeling of releasing all the pent-up emotions and ideas that have been suffocating her. The next few lines illustrate her being open to help and support from others. She needs someone to throw her a line and help replace everything she lost, as she tries to figure things out.

The idea of deflection is also present, as Donaghy reflects on the state of mind she is in. She is trapped in her own world, experiencing introspection and self-reflection. She has been running away from herself, and now that she is back with herself again, she must confront her fears. She compares her fears to a ball and chain, which holds her back from moving forward. She is not alone, but she is at home with her selfish pain, indicating that she has come to terms with it and is seeking to resolve it. The chorus emphasizes that it’s not about faith or hope; rather, it's about getting out of this place of confusion and finding clarity.

Line by Line Meaning

Is this a question of time
Am I running out of time?

Is this a question of space
Is there enough space for me to figure this out?

I've been out of my mind
I've been struggling to keep it together mentally.

I'm coming up for air
I need a break to regain my focus.

To work it out
To understand and solve my problems.

If you throw me a line
If you help me out.

Then I'll try to replace
I'll try to fill in the gaps.

All the things I can't find
All the things I'm missing or can't figure out.

'Cause I'm coming up for air
I need a break from my problems.

To let it out
To express how I'm feeling.

Defection from the state I'm in
Breaking away from my current state of being.