“Altogether” is the eighth track of Slowdive’s second studio album, Souvlak… Read Full Bio ↴“Altogether” is the eighth track of Slowdive’s second studio album, Souvlaki.

The song creates a sleepy mood with both its lyricism and its atmosphere – in the context of the band, the lyrics are probably highlighting a past romantic moment between Neil Halstead and Rachel Goswell that they shared before they broke up (the majority of the album is like this).

Altogether
Slowdive Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Sleepyhead where did you go?
I saw you turning, but I couldn't catch your eye
It's alright, we're altogether

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

And now seems just a dream
It broke my heart, but then I guess you didn't know
It's alright, we're altogether

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

So tired
You're so right
I'm so tired
It's alright tonight

(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Sleepyhead what did you know?
I saw you talking but I didn't hear a word
It's alright, we're altogether

Yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

The song "Altogether" by Slowdive is deeply introspective and the lyrics can be interpreted in a number of ways. At first listen, the song appears to be a lament for someone who has left or passed away. The opening lyric "Sleepyhead where did you go?" immediately sets a wistful and searching tone. The singer saw this person "turning" but could not "catch your eye." This could signify a sense of feeling disconnected from someone close to them or a sense of being unable to truly see or understand another person.

The phrase "It's alright, we're altogether" is repeated throughout the song, and it serves as a refrain that emphasizes the idea that the singer is not alone in their sadness. It's possible that this line acknowledges a sense of shared grief or loss among the singer's community or family. Alternatively, it could signify a sense of being united with others in the experience of grappling with something difficult.

The verse "So tired / You're so right / I'm so tired / It's alright tonight" introduces a new perspective to the song. These lyrics could be interpreted as the voice of the person who has left or passed on. This idea is supported by the line "And now seems just a dream / It broke my heart, but then I guess you didn't know." The ambiguity of the lyrics in "Altogether" is part of what makes it such a compelling and enduring song.

Line by Line Meaning

Sleepyhead where did you go?
The singer is trying to find someone he refers to as sleepyhead as they have gone missing.

I saw you turning, but I couldn't catch your eye
The singer notices sleepyhead turning but the person doesn't recognize him or pay attention.

It's alright, we're altogether
The singer reassures himself that everything will be fine, despite not being able to locate the person he's looking for.

And now seems just a dream
The singer reflects on a past moment that now feels like it was only a dream.

It broke my heart, but then I guess you didn't know
The experience was crushing for the singer, but he assumes the other person didn't know and therefore couldn't be blamed.

So tired
The singer is exhausted from searching for the sleepyhead.

You're so right
The singer acknowledges someone else's supposed insight, possibly sarcastically.

I'm so tired
The singer reiterates how worn out he is.

It's alright tonight
Despite the exhaustion and disappointment, the singer is comforted by the thought that everything will be okay.

Sleepyhead what did you know?
The singer has questions for the missing person, wondering if they knew something that could have explained why they disappeared.

I saw you talking but I didn't hear a word
The singer briefly saw the sleepyhead talking to someone else, but was too far away to hear anything.

It's alright, we're altogether
The singer again reassures himself that everything will be fine, despite not having found any answers to his questions.

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Repetitive refrain used throughout the song, possibly conveying a sense of exhaustion or frustration.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL HALSTEAD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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