North By North
The Bats Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Some people are happy most of the time
But they don't know they're in line
I don't know what to do with you
I don't know how to deal with you

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why

I find out what you're meaning now
Your term is darkness anyhow
I can't find out what it is with you
If there is one thing I can't get through

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why

Absolve the waiting that you've done
Take away those moments of fun
There won't be much left there for you
I'm taught we've a choice in what we do

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name




North by north
I'm still wondering why (why, why)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Bats's song "North By North" seem to express a sense of confusion and uncertainty in a relationship. The singer acknowledges that some people are inherently happy, but they don't seem to understand the issues at hand. The singer then admits that they don't know what to do with the person they are speaking to or how to deal with them.


The repetition of the phrase "North by North" serves as a metaphor for the singer's journey of trying to understand the other person. It suggests that they are following a path or direction, but they are not entirely sure where it will lead them or how to navigate it. Despite this, they mention that they know the other person's name, which could indicate that they have been in this relationship for a while or have a deep connection with them.


The final lines of the song suggest that there may have been some waiting and moments of fun, but the relationship has come to a point where there isn't much left. The singer seems to suggest that they have a choice in what they do next and that the waiting and uncertainty must come to an end.


Overall, the song seems to explore the complexities of a relationship, the difficulties in understanding another person, and the idea that sometimes we must make tough choices to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

Some people are happy most of the time
Many individuals tend to feel content most of the time


But they don't know they're in line
However, they are unaware of their place in a predestined order of events


I don't know what to do with you
I am uncertain about how to handle or interact with you


I don't know how to deal with you
I lack the knowledge or capability to effectively manage you


North by north
Continuing in a northerly direction


I'm still following home
I am still tracing my way back to my place of origin


I know your name
I have knowledge of your identity


I'm still wondering why
I am still perplexed about the reasoning behind certain circumstances


I find out what you're meaning now
I have come to understand your intentions or purpose


Your term is darkness anyhow
Your description or expectations are obscured and uncertain regardless


I can't find out what it is with you
I am unable to discern or comprehend certain qualities or characteristics about you


If there is one thing I can't get through
If there is one challenge I am unable to overcome


Absolve the waiting that you've done
Release yourself from the anticipation or expectation that you have experienced


Take away those moments of fun
Remove those periods of enjoyment or recreation


There won't be much left there for you
There will be very little remaining for you to hold onto


I'm taught we've a choice in what we do
I have been informed that we possess the freedom to select our actions and decisions


North by north
Continuing in a northerly direction


I'm still following home
I am still tracing my way back to my place of origin


I know your name
I have knowledge of your identity


I'm still wondering why (why, why)
I am still pondering the rationale behind certain occurrences




Contributed by Levi O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@paramo.alejandra

Lyrics :

Some people are happy most of the time
But they don't know they're in line
I don't know what to do with you
I don't know how to deal with you
North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why
I find out what you're meaning now
Your term is darkness anyhow
I can't find out what it is with you
If there is one thing I can't get through
North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why
Absolve the waiting that you've done
Take away those moments of fun
There won't be much left there for you
I'm taught we've a choice in what we do
North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why (why, why)



@hectortamayodiez5321

Some people are happy most of the time
But they don't know they're in line
I don't know what to do with you
I don't know how to deal with you

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why

I find out what you're meaning now
Your term is darkness anyhow
I can't find out what it is with you
If there is one thing I can't get through

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why

Absolve the waiting that you've done
Take away those moments of fun
There won't be much left there for you
I'm taught we've a choice in what we do

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why (why, why)



@Rad-id4oo

Lyrics

Some people are happy most of the time
But they don't know they're in line
I don't know what to do with you
I don't know how to deal with you

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why

I find out what you're meaning now
Your term is darkness anyhow
I can't find out what it is with you
If there is one thing I can't get through

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why

Absolve the waiting that you've done
Take away those moments of fun
There won't be much left there for you
I'm taught we've a choice in what we do

North by north
I'm still following home
North by north
I know your name
North by north
I'm still wondering why (why, why)



All comments from YouTube:

@jacktaylor7696

The Hollowmen brought me here! This song is the sound of Canberra - love it!

@superbrainbow

The couplet:

"I don't know what to do with you
I don't know how to deal with you"

has always felt haunting and evocative to me. I guess I can imagine a parent saying it to a child who won't or simply can't fall in line.

@the.bloodless.one1312

Can’t say I didn’t hear similar words spoken at me growing up 😅💀

@kellymichael9567

this song hooks you in from so many angles, musically, it has become one of the timeless songs from the bats.i first heard it live on tahuna beach in nelson nz one new years eve.i stumbled down a bank when i heard music on the beach walked down and almost immediately was dancing to a band i hardly knew, entranced by rhythm and melody. if i lived a thousand lives i would always remember this moment.

@hannahshafer

"if I lived a thousand lives I would always remember this moment" is such a beautiful sentence

@etamommy

@@hannahshafer and realization/sentiment.

@hannahshafer

@@etamommy of course

@etamommy

@@hannahshafer Yeah, figured that was encompassed in your comment but just pointing out that both the form and the content of that sentence are awesome!

@jonathangeddes9786

similar...bar in dunedin ...:) the ori...name didn't age well :/

3 More Replies...

@TimJackson-eq6iy

This is by far my favorite Song from Flying Nun Records. The first time I saw it on Radio With Pictures, I was blown away.

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