In The Picture
Tarja Lyrics


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Laid so low
I felt so strange
and couldn't move in hours
House of lights that disorients
A trip we might have made

The fever is killing me
gripping and burning
spreading all night and day
insatiable yearning

You never see me running away
I'll strain to be in the picture
can't believe my eyes
images blurred and coming alive
I'm willing to go- what's your mission?

Don't they lurk and stay out of range
I bow down before the strange
when finally they showed their faces
I recognized myself.

Fear in the neighborhood
of hope and commitment
Dreams had a bigger size
than I'd ever witnessed

You never see me running away
I'll strain to be in the picture
can't believe my eyes
images blurred and coming alive
I'm willing to go- what's your mission?

You'd never see me running away
I've got to face the oncoming pain




I'll strain to be in the picture
can't believe my eyes...

Overall Meaning

The song "In the Picture" by Tarja is an introspective view of a person who is dealing with a difficult situation. The lyrics describe feeling low and strange, unable to move for hours. The person is in a house of lights, disoriented and possibly having taken some kind of hallucinogenic drug, which is causing a fever and an insatiable yearning. Despite the confusion, the person is willing to go forward and be a part of things, even if their perception is blurred.


The lyrics also mention fear in the neighborhood and dreams that are bigger than ever witnessed. The person seems to be struggling with commitment and hope, but recognizes that the situation has brought out a part of themselves that they hadn't seen before. In the end, the person is willing to face the oncoming pain and be in the picture, no matter how strange or unusual it may seem.


Line by Line Meaning

Laid so low
Feeling very down and low


I felt so strange
Experiencing a sense of unfamiliarity and discomfort


and couldn't move in hours
Being immobile for hours due to the overwhelming emotions


House of lights that disorients
Surrounded by bright and confusing lights


A trip we might have made
Possibly referring to a hallucinogenic drug-induced experience


The fever is killing me
Being overcome by strong emotions


gripping and burning
Strong and intense feelings that are almost painful


spreading all night and day
Persisting for an extended period of time


insatiable yearning
A strong desire that cannot be satisfied


You never see me running away
Refusing to give up or back down from a challenge


I'll strain to be in the picture
Making an effort to be included or involved


can't believe my eyes
Being amazed or surprised


images blurred and coming alive
Perceiving things in a confusing and vivid manner


I'm willing to go- what's your mission?
Expressing a willingness to embark on a journey or undertake a challenge


Don't they lurk and stay out of range
Suggesting a sense of danger or threat that remains distant and hidden


I bow down before the strange
Showing respect and submission to the unknown or unfamiliar


when finally they showed their faces
Experiencing a sense of revelation and clarity


I recognized myself.
Realizing something profound about oneself


Fear in the neighborhood
Feeling of distress and unease


of hope and commitment
Regarding the future with a sense of uncertainty and uncertainty


Dreams had a bigger size
Having lofty aspirations and big ideals


than I'd ever witnessed
Experiencing something that surpasses one's previous experiences


You'd never see me running away
Reasserting determination and courage in the face of adversity


I've got to face the oncoming pain
Preparing oneself for the difficult challenges ahead


I'll strain to be in the picture
Making a concerted effort to be involved and included


can't believe my eyes...
Experiencing disbelief or surprise




Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@liricobarroco

😍 hermosa canción, pero la voz de tarja le da un toque tan especial y único! Suena riquísima la música!

@Marshallsatten

The sound is back after a day and a reboot. I just picked this album up. While Tarja and Nightwish will never sound the same, I like very much several of the songs on Tarja's new album. She and her band have come up with some pretty heavy songs.

@jjedu56

:') calidad técnica, belleza y complejidad (Y) estos si son verdaderos musicos mis respetos gracias por hacer musica de verdad de verdad :)

@arinasemenihina3155

Я её обожаю... Как можно так волшебно петь?

@ZugDuk

+Arina Semenihina
Нужно было родиться на отшибе в округе с никакой численностью и плотностью населения. Близкородственное кровосмешение развивает качества.

@AlineGuimaraes3

Que introdução é essa? 😍
Tarja dona da porra toda

@schec12

you could just said that the whole Nw's discography is well sung by tarja.

@andresm645

I just can't stop hitting the play button, and the audio quality on this one is excellent :D

@milanbarca40

Smolski from Rage composed all the songs on the CD, i'm not sure if he's also played them, but i think he did. This one particularly is damn awesome

@Marshallsatten

I love the rythym guitar in the song.

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