Solveig Slettahjell is a Norwegian jazz singer. Slettahjell was a student o… Read Full Bio ↴Solveig Slettahjell is a Norwegian jazz singer. Slettahjell was a student of renowned Norwegian singer Sidsel Endresen, with whom she collaborated recently in Jon Balke's Batagraf ensemble (Statements, ECM, 2005). She recorded with the experimental all-female vocal quartet Kvitretten, with jazz singers Eldbjørg Raknes, Kristin Asbjörnsen and Tone Åse, and teaches jazz singing at the Norwegian Academy of Music.

Wild Horses
Solveig Slettahjell Lyrics

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(Mick Jagger/Keith Richards)

Childhood living is easy to do.
The things you wanted, I bought them for you.
Graceless lady, you know who I am.
You know I can't let you slide through my hands.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away.

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain.
Now, you decided to show me the same.
No sweeping exits or off stage lines
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.
Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away.

I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie.
I have my freedom but I don't have much time.
Faith has been broken, tears must be cried.
Let's do some living after we die.

'Cause wild horses couldn't drag me away.
Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them someday.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.
Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them someday.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Solveig Slettahjell's song Wild Horses is a poetic contemplation of relationships and the struggles associated with it. The song begins with the singer acknowledging the ease of childhood living and the sacrifices made by her for her lover. However, she seems to be addressing a graceful lady who knows her well, and she wouldn't let her slip away. The singer acknowledges the pain her lover has faced and how the lover is reciprocating the same pain to her now. Despite the suffering, the singer declares that she wouldn't be bitter or unkind to the lover.

The chorus of the song brings the metaphor of wild horses entering the picture in the form of an idiom,' wild horses couldn't drag me away,' symbolizing the force of the singer's emotions that would prevent her from losing her lover. She insists that their love is vibrant enough to withstand the challenges and obstacles that come their way. The next verses reflect the crumbling of the relationship, the fear of being lied to, and the impending end. The singer suggests that they should start living their lives to the fullest, as they don't have much time left. The final chorus comes with the hope that their love stands the test of time, and they would someday ride the wild horses together.

In summary, Solveig Slettahjell's song Wild Horses captures the struggles, pain, and hopes of individuals in a relationship. It is a beautiful declaration of the force of love that could withstand anything that comes in its way.

Line by Line Meaning

Childhood living is easy to do.
Growing up seems simple and effortless when you're a child.

The things you wanted, I bought them for you.
Anything you desired, I provided for you.

Graceless lady, you know who I am.
You are aware of my character, even if it's not always respectable.

You know I can't let you slide through my hands.
I can't let you slip away from me.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.
I am deeply committed to you, and nothing could separate us.

Wild, wild horses couldn't drag me away.
I am fiercely devoted to you, and no obstacle can change that.

I watched you suffer a dull aching pain.
I witnessed you experience a constant, nagging discomfort.

Now, you decided to show me the same.
Now, you are putting me through the same thing.

No sweeping exits or off stage lines
There won't be any grand exits or dramatic goodbyes.

Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind.
I won't become angry or cruel towards you even in this situation.

I know I've dreamed you a sin and a lie.
I understand now that my perception of you had flaws and falsehoods.

I have my freedom but I don't have much time.
I may be free to do what I want, but I don't have long to live.

Faith has been broken, tears must be cried.
Our trust in each other is broken, and we have to mourn that loss.

Let's do some living after we die.
Let's make the most of our time together while we can, and not regret anything when our time comes.

Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them someday.
We'll conquer any challenges and hurdles that come our way.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.
I won't let anything come between us, no matter what.

Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them someday.
We'll succeed and have a bright future together.

Writer(s): Mick Jagger, Keith Richards Copyright: Mirage Music Int. Ltd. c/o Essex Music Int. L

Contributed by Nathaniel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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