Lightning
St. Vincent/David Byrne Lyrics
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But it moves too quick for a picture
There's a funny lightning 'round the corner
Hiding but I'm too smart just to catch it with gloves and rubber
So I stay put right here, watching the sky for tears
Let the fools and cowboys roar to wrecks
But if I should wake up and find my home's in half
Blame nature
I guess I have to laugh
And if I should wake up and find my bed
Has moved six inches, six closer to the west
But this funny lightning I wanna invite in if I could learn how to teach it
I salt the corners of my room because, because a ghost can never be too careful
And if I should wake up and find my home's in half
Who did it?
Oh nature, I hope you have a laugh
And if I should wake up and find my bed has
Moved twelve inches, twelve closer to my god
Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more
The crack is movin' up the wall
Whip crash there's flash and I'm back to wanting more
I can't help thinking this is war
Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more
The crack is movin' up the wall
Whip crash there's flash and I'm back to wanting more
I can't help thinking this is war
"Lightning" is a song about the power of nature and our relationships with it. It's a tale of fear, awe, and a desperate desire to understand and conquer the forces beyond our control. The opening lines describe a strange type of lightning that's too quick to be captured by a picture. This lightning is elusive and unpredictable, but it's also fascinating, and the persona of the song expresses a desire to get closer to it despite the potential danger. However, the persona ultimately decides to stay put and watch the sky, letting the "fools and cowboys" recklessly challenge the power of nature.
The middle section of the song is a contemplation of what could happen if nature does strike - if the persona wakes up to find their home destroyed by lightning, they will blame nature and laugh it off. They're resigned to the fact that they can't control nature, but they're also willing to accept its power and unpredictability. The song ends with a sense of both excitement and danger - the persona can't help wanting more of the lightning even though they know it's a war they can't win.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a funny lightning, threatening with striking
Unusual lightning that threatens to strike
But it moves too quick for a picture
It is too fast to be captured in a picture
There's a funny lightning 'round the corner
Unusual lightning hiding somewhere nearby
Hiding but I'm too smart just to catch it with gloves and rubber
Although it's elusive, I know better than to try and catch it with protective gear
So I stay put right here, watching the sky for tears
I remain in one place, observing the sky for rain from tears
Let the fools and cowboys roar to wrecks
I leave those who are reckless to make mistakes on their own
But if I should wake up and find my home's in half
If I wake up to find my home has been destroyed
Who is it?
I wonder who could have done it
Blame nature
I conclude that nature is responsible
I guess I have to laugh
I accept the situation and find it somewhat comical
And if I should wake up and find my bed
If I wake up to find my bed has moved
Has moved six inches, six closer to the west
It has shifted six inches in a westerly direction
But this funny lightning I wanna invite in if I could learn how to teach it
I am intrigued by the unusual lightning and wish I could understand it better
I salt the corners of my room because, because a ghost can never be too careful
I sprinkle salt in the corners of my room to keep ghosts away, as a precaution
Who did it?
I wonder who could have caused this
Oh nature, I hope you have a laugh
I hope that nature isn't taking the destruction too seriously
Moved twelve inches, twelve closer to my god
My bed has moved twelve inches closer to the heavens
Whip crash there's a flash and I'm back to wanting more
The exciting sight and sound of the lightning makes me want more of it
The crack is movin' up the wall
The sound of the lightning can be heard moving upwards along the wall
I can't help thinking this is war
The violent nature of the lightning makes me feel like I am in a battle
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANNIE CLARK, DAVID BYRNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind