Never Known
The Durutti Column Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I cry in my sleep
Sometimes you stay
Sometimes you stay
You never know why
Please say my name
Don't turn away

[chorus]
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is bright

Then I awake
And in the half light
Watching my movements
Through half closed eyes
You're touching me
As a priest loves pornography

We played beneath the patterns[?]
Don't turn away

[chorus]

Kissed by the years
Caresses of time
Marking the lines
The lines of expression
The patterns of place
The patterns of youth
The patterns of love
Don't turn away
Say my name
Say my name





[chorus)

Overall Meaning

The Durutti Column's song "Never Known" expresses a deep sense of longing and pain, both physical and emotional. The lyrics suggest a sense of confusion and uncertainty, as the singer cries in their sleep and sometimes their love interest stays, while other times they do not. The lines "the pain is black, the pain is bright" convey a mix of conflicting emotions that the singer is experiencing.


The second stanza describes a dream-like state, where the singer is half-awake and being touched by their love interest, likening it to the controversial relationship between a priest and pornography. The imagery of watching their movements through half-closed eyes lends the scene a voyeuristic quality, heightening the sense of intimacy and taboo.


The final stanza speaks to the passage of time and its effects on our bodies and relationships. The singer reflects on the marks left by the years, both physically and emotionally, and begs their love interest not to turn away from them or forget their name. Overall, the song seems to be about the intense emotions and uncertainty that come with loving someone deeply, while acknowledging the pain and impermanence that comes with it.


Line by Line Meaning

I cry in my sleep
Sometimes I am so hurt that I cry even when I'm asleep


Sometimes you stay
Sometimes you comfort me and stay with me


Sometimes you stay
Sometimes you comfort me and stay with me


You never know why
It's hard to understand why someone hurts so much


Please say my name
I need to hear that you care for me and acknowledge me


Don't turn away
Please don't ignore me or walk away from me


The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark


The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense


The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark


The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense


The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense


Then I awake
I wake up from my sleep


And in the half light
In the dim light of the morning


Watching my movements
Observing my actions


Through half closed eyes
With my eyes half open


You're touching me
You are physically comforting me


As a priest loves pornography
Your care and comfort is unexpected


We played beneath the patterns[?]
We had good times together in the past


Don't turn away
Please don't ignore me or walk away from me


Kissed by the years
The passage of time has affected me


Caresses of time
The touch of time has changed me


Marking the lines
Visible effects of age on my body


The lines of expression
Wrinkles that show my emotions


The patterns of place
Memories of places I have been


The patterns of youth
Memories of my youthful days


The patterns of love
Memories of my past relationships


Don't turn away
Please don't ignore me or walk away from me


Say my name
I need to hear that you care for me and acknowledge me


Say my name
I need to hear that you care for me and acknowledge me


The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark


The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense


The pain is black
The hurt is deep and dark


The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense


The pain is bright
The pain is vivid and intense




Contributed by John H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@-dimitris

Maria Diaz

I cry in my sleep, sometimes you stay
Sometimes you stay, you never know why
Please say my name, don't turn away
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is bright
Then I awake and in the half light
Watching my movements through half closed eyes
You're touching me as a priest loves pornography
We played beneath the patterns [unverified]
Don't turn away
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is black
The pain is bright
The pain is bright
Kissed by the years, caresses of time
Marking the lines, the lines of expression
The patterns of place, the patterns of youth
The patterns of love, don't turn away
Say my name, say my name



All comments from YouTube:

@philippetrape9295

Vini Reilly is a giant of post-punk. ''Never Known'' is a jewel. Universal respect.

@cdspecialist1

Criminally overlooked- proof music industry is shallow - thank you Vini for your masterful brilliance

@cardigan3000

In January 2013, Reilly's nephew made an Internet appeal on his behalf for donations because the guitarist had debts for unpaid rent from the time between his strokes and his assessment for disability benefit. Fans sent £3,000 within a day and Reilly was reported to feel that their generosity had "lifted the weight of the world off his shoulders"

@keithbentley6081

That's right.

@cardigan3000

@@keithbentley6081 i just wish i had known so i could have helped out

@pixelfrenzy

Thanks — Where do we go for updates on Vini's current health, do you know? Cheers.

@vincenzopastore4585

I don't understand why a such song haven't had success and was in a concealment. From the first listening I was captured by atmosphere a little dark, a little magical, that projects me in an another level of music

@EnkiDenki7

What I don't understand why there's no damn covers or even live performance of this on youtube.

@xTrengo

it's not mainstream :) it's only appealing to a chosen few shrug

@darrendodd6674

Wasn't meant to be shared by everyone. What is this - Ed Sheeran? Give me a break.👍

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