Still Smiling
Teho Teardo feat. Blixa Bargeld Lyrics


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still there?
still there.

I re-count the black days
recollect some circumstances
even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
the mismatches and the end of some affairs
I recall the black days
between zenith and nadir
is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
the blackest one it's not the last one but it's there

and somewhere down there
I'm smiling
still smiling
I'm smiling
from the bottom of my shapeless soul
I'm smiling
anyway

I recount the black days
wade through all the shadows
even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
the cuts and the recovery
from unnecessary growth
I recall the black days
as maybe grim and melanized
but also colourful

and somewhere down there
I'm smiling
still smiling
I'm smiling
from the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I'm smiling …





still there?

Overall Meaning

The song "Still Smiling" by Teho Teardo & Blixa Bargeld is a hauntingly beautiful and introspective track that explores the concept of resilience and finding joy in difficult times. The repetition of the phrase "still there?" acts as a reminder to check in with oneself and acknowledge the struggles that have been faced, but ultimately the song remains optimistic and highlights the capacity to keep smiling.


The lyrics recount the "black days" - the hardships, mismatches, and painful endings that have been experienced. Despite the emotional toll of reflecting on these experiences, the singer finds solace and even beauty in them, acknowledging the patterns and growth that have emerged. The imagery of "wading through shadows" and "recalling unnecessary growth" emphasizes the journey of coming out the other side of difficult times.


The chorus declares "I'm smiling, still smiling" - an affirmation that even when things are tough, there is still the capacity for joy and contentment. The repetition of "from the bottom of my shapeless soul" and "from the bottom of my fairtrade soul" adds to the sense of depth and complexity, suggesting that the struggles have helped to shape and define the person.


Overall, the song acts as a powerful reminder to persevere through difficult times and find strength and beauty in the journey.


Line by Line Meaning

Still there?
Are you still present and listening?


Still there.
Affirmative response to the previous question.


I re-count the black days
I revisit and remember the difficult times.


recollect some circumstances
I recall specific situations and events.


even though it takes my sleep
Despite the fact that it causes sleeplessness and distress.


I recall the black days
I remember the times of hardship and struggle.


the mismatches and the end of some affairs
The disagreements and endings of some relationships or endeavors.


between zenith and nadir
Between the highest and lowest points of my life.


is there a pattern anywhere?
Is there a discernible sequence or order to these difficult experiences?


I recall the black days
I bring to mind the times of trials and tribulations.


the blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
The most challenging event is not the most recent, but it has left a lasting impact.


and somewhere down there
Deep beneath the surface, hidden from plain view.


I'm smiling
I am expressing joy or contentment.


still smiling
I am continuing to feel happiness.


I'm smiling
I am experiencing a positive emotion.


from the bottom of my shapeless soul
Deep within my being, where my essence resides.


I'm smiling
I am feeling genuine happiness or pleasure.


anyway
Despite the difficulties, I am still finding reasons to be happy.


I recount the black days
I revisit and remember the challenging times.


wade through all the shadows
I navigate through the darkness and uncertainty.


even so it takes my sleep
Despite the fact that it causes insomnia or anxiety.


I recall the black days
I call to mind the trying experiences.


the cuts and the recovery
The painful moments and the subsequent healing process.


from unnecessary growth
Arising from unwanted or unneeded situations or circumstances.


I recall the black days
I remember the difficult and challenging times.


as maybe grim and melanized
Potentially gloomy or darkened by bad experiences.


but also colourful
But amid that darkness, there were also bright moments.




Contributed by Austin E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@draganad.8351

still there?

still there.



I re-count the black days

recollect some circumstances

even though it takes my sleep

I recall the black days

the mismatches and the end of some affairs

I recall the black days

between zenith and nadir

is there a pattern anywhere?

I recall the black days

the blackest one it"s not the last one but it"s there



and somewhere down there

I"m smiling

still smiling

I"m smiling

from the bottom of my shapeless soul

I"m smiling

anyway

I recount the black days

wade through all the shadows

even so it takes my sleep

I recall the black days

the cuts and the recovery

from unnecessary growth

I recall the black days

as maybe grim and melanized

but also colourful

and somewhere down there

I"m smiling

still smiling

I"m smiling

from the bottom of my fairtrade soul

I"m smiling ...



still there?



@SEIII-cn4cx

lyrics


Still there?

.
.
.

Still there

I re-count the black days
Recollect some circumstances
Even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The mismatches and the end of some affairs
I recall the black days
Between zenith and nadir
Is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
The blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
.
.

And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my shapeless soul
I'm smiling
Still smiling
.

.

.

I recount the black days
Wade through all the shadows
Even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The cuts and the recovery
From unnecessary growth
I recall these black days
As maybe grim and melanized
But also colourful

And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Even so, it hurts sometimes
I'm smiling
Yes, I'm smiling
Still smiling
From my hypothetical soul

.

.

.

.

Still there?

Still there



@figliadisam

Still there?

Still there

I re-count the black days
Recollect some circumstances
Even though it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The mismatches and the end of some affairs
I recall the black days
Between zenith and nadir
Is there a pattern anywhere?
I recall the black days
The blackest one it's not the last one but it's there
And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my shapeless soul
I'm smiling
Anyway

I recount the black days
Wade through all the shadows
Even so it takes my sleep
I recall the black days
The cuts and the recovery
From unnecessary growth
I recall these black days
As maybe grim and melanized
But also colourful

And somewhere down there
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
From the bottom of my fairtrade soul
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Still smiling
I'm smiling
Even so, it hurts sometimes
I'm smiling
Yes, I'm smiling
Still smiling
From my hypothetical soul



All comments from YouTube:

@lizzieliz1333

this became my mantra when battling yet another depression relapse. while at the bottom of a very dark and lonely place i was literally forcing myself to whisper quietly "still there" and "i'm smiling". so much meaning hidden, and most of all, a different meaning for everyone.

@philbabb6460

Still there?



Still there.

@marcinkitowski1109

Fenomenalny utwór...Brawooo jakie to prawdziwe. Każdy z Nas ma swój bagaż doświadczeń. Dziekuje 3ce za ten utwór. Pozdrawiam.

@yukas1ngas

Beautiful!

@jacquesd5781

Heard this in a tv show. Very good! Reminds me of Leonard Cohen. Beautiful and moving.

@hernanrodriguez8873

I discovered him because of Dark, very beautiful music

@josebarrocas8570

I was16

@josebarrocas8570

Einsturzend Neubauten

@donnaread8757

I can't imagine you any other way but "still smiling" . Smiling is sometimes a choice that will positively affect you and those that you see. A smile can make the difference in some ones day, even life. Thank you for this piece. It makes me smile. Donna R.

@paulaboncompagne6280

This song tears me apart.

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