Prior to joining Marillion, Hogarth was a member of the bands the europeans and how we live.
Fantastic place
Steve Hogarth Lyrics
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It′s always a struggle
To let somebody go
It's a natural desire
To own your lover, I know
And you can screw a man down
Until he takes to drinking
He′ll give you all of his money
You still won't know what he's thinking
Take me to the fantastic place
Keep the rest of my life away
Take me to the fantastic place
Keep the rest of my life away
Take me to the island
I′ll watch the rain over your shoulder
The streetlights in the water
The moment outside of real life
I never could dream while I was sleeping
Put your arms around my soul
And take it dancing.
Take me to the fantastic place
Keep the rest of my life away
Take me to the fantastic place
Keep the rest of my life away
Take me to the island
I′ll watch the rain over your shoulder
The streetlights on the wet stone
The moment outside of real life
Say you understand me
And I will leave myself completely
Forgive me if I stare
But I can see the island behind your tired, troubled eyes
Take me to the island
I'll tell you all I never told you
The boy I never showed you
More than I gave in my life
Take me by the hand
You′ll either kill me or you'll save me
Take me to the island
Show me what might be real life
In Steve Hogarth's song "Fantastic Place," the lyrics encapsulate an individual's longing for an escape from life's mundane daily routines. The song starts by drawing a metaphor between islands and mountain-tops, suggesting that their magical quality emanates from being atop and detached from the mundane world. This sentiment is reinforced by the chorus's desire to be taken to a "fantastic place" that would keep the rest of the singer's life at bay.
However, the song also highlights the difficulties of letting go of the people we love. The singer acknowledges that it is natural to have a strong desire to own our lovers, even though it is impossible to know what the partner is thinking. The next verse describes the pain of trying to exert control over someone, even leading them to drinking, yet still not possessing their soul or understanding their thoughts.
Throughout the song, the singer expresses the desire to escape and experience life freely while simultaneously struggling with the fear and reality of letting go of people who hold them back. The island that is being referred to in the song is perhaps the ideal life the singer wishes they could have, away from the struggles and human entanglements of daily life.
Line by Line Meaning
Islands are mountain-tops
Islands represent high points in life
It's always a struggle
Life is never easy
To let somebody go
It's difficult to move on from someone you care about
It's a natural desire
Wanting to possess your loved one is innate
To own your lover, I know
I understand the urge to claim your partner as your own
And you can screw a man down
You can exert control over someone through manipulation or force
Until he takes to drinking
This can lead to self-destructive behavior, like alcoholism
He'll give you all of his money
Even if someone gives you everything, you may not truly know what they're thinking
You still won't know what he's thinking
Despite one's effort to control, we never truly know what someone is thinking
Take me to the fantastic place
Take me to a euphoric mental state
Keep the rest of my life away
I'd rather not deal with my mundane life for the time being
Take me to the island
Take me to a peaceful, isolated location
I'll watch the rain over your shoulder
I'll take comfort in your presence while enjoying the relaxing scenery
The streetlights in the water
I'm mesmerized by the reflection of the streetlights on the water
The moment outside of real life
This moment feels surreal and detached from reality
I never could dream while I was sleeping
I couldn't imagine or look forward to anything while I was asleep
Put your arms around my soul
Embrace me physically and emotionally
And take it dancing.
Let's go on an emotional journey together
Say you understand me
Communicate that you comprehend me and my feelings
And I will leave myself completely
If you understand me, I'll willingly open myself up to you
Forgive me if I stare
Sorry if I'm being too intense or intrusive by staring
But I can see the island behind your tired, troubled eyes
I can sense your inner turmoil, but I see potential for peace within you
I'll tell you all I never told you
I'm willing to confide in you and reveal my secrets
The boy I never showed you
I'll let you see the vulnerable and emotional side of me that I've hidden before
More than I gave in my life
I'm willing to give you more than I've ever given anyone before
Take me by the hand
Lead me and guide me through this journey
You'll either kill me or you'll save me
This journey could either be dangerous and risky or transformative and healing
Show me what might be real life
Show me what true love and authentic living could be like
Writer(s): Ian Francesko Mosley, Mark Colbert Kelly, Steven Thomas Rothery, Steve Hogarth, Peter John Trewavas
Contributed by Asher I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.