Mysterious Ways
Television Personalities Lyrics


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I believe in what I see
You believe what you want to believe
But you're the one who's got more need
So don't bother lighting a candle for me

Faith in something
Faith in something
You'll find yourself, if you have faith
You'll see the error of your way
Send for your membership form today
Faith in something bigger they say

In an empty room I cried alone
With a bottle of wine and a handful of pills
I was too scared to call for you
I was afraid you wouldn't hear

Faith in something
Faith in something

Well I'm so ashamed I laughed at you
But you reached out to hold my hand
Communication is the key
Candle burn brightly for me
A bomb's gone off at the BBC
The headlines say at half past three
But no one's claimed responsibility
For the twenty two bodies in the mortuary
God acts in mysterious ways
God acts in mysterious ways




God acts in mysterious ways
God acts in mysterious ways

Overall Meaning

The first verse of Television Personalities' song Mysterious Ways touches on the idea of belief and faith. The singer believes in what they see, while acknowledging that others are entitled to believe in what they want. However, the singer implies that the other person's need for faith is greater than their own, telling them not to bother lighting a candle for them. The song then presents a rather cynical view of faith, suggesting that it is a form of membership and that to have faith is to be part of something bigger. The second verse deals with personal struggles and a feeling of loneliness, with the singer describing crying alone in an empty room with alcohol and pills. They were too scared to reach out for help, afraid that no one would hear them. The third verse shifts the focus from the personal to the public, referencing a bombing that has taken place at the BBC. The headlines are reporting on the event, but there is no one who has claimed responsibility for the deaths of 22 people in the mortuary. The chorus, repeated throughout the song, reinforces the idea that God acts in mysterious ways.


The song's lyrics can be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of faith, and the disconnection between personal struggles and the larger events that occur in the world. The singer seems to suggest that faith may be somewhat of a crutch, a way of finding belonging and meaning in a chaotic world. The bomb at the BBC could be seen as a metaphor for the randomness and unpredictability of life, and the idea that God's ways are mysterious highlights the unknowable and incomprehensible nature of the world we live in.


Line by Line Meaning

I believe in what I see
I trust only what I can see with my own eyes


You believe what you want to believe
You have your own beliefs and opinions


But you're the one who's got more need
You are the one who needs to have faith more than me


So don't bother lighting a candle for me
Don't offer any prayers or blessings on my behalf


Faith in something
Believing in something greater than oneself is important


You'll find yourself, if you have faith
Having faith can lead to self-discovery


You'll see the error of your way
You'll realize your mistakes


Send for your membership form today
Join some religion or faith-based group today


Faith in something bigger they say
It is said that believing in a higher power is important


In an empty room I cried alone
I was alone and sad in an empty room


With a bottle of wine and a handful of pills
I had alcohol and drugs to cope with my sadness


I was too scared to call for you
I was afraid to reach out to you for help


I was afraid you wouldn't hear
I didn't think you would listen to me


Well I'm so ashamed I laughed at you
I regret laughing at you


But you reached out to hold my hand
You offered support and comfort


Communication is the key
It's important to communicate with one another


Candle burn brightly for me
Offer me your prayers and blessings


A bomb's gone off at the BBC
A bomb has exploded at the BBC


The headlines say at half past three
The news reported this at 3:30 PM


But no one's claimed responsibility
No one has taken responsibility for the explosion


For the twenty two bodies in the mortuary
There are twenty two dead people in the morgue


God acts in mysterious ways
God's actions cannot always be explained


God acts in mysterious ways
God's actions cannot always be explained


God acts in mysterious ways
God's actions cannot always be explained


God acts in mysterious ways
God's actions cannot always be explained




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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