Broudie and Rogers formed the act as the "perfect pop project", and Lightning Seeds broke through in 1989 with the psychedelic synth pop hit, "Pure", which made the UK Top 20 and was a minor hit on US pop radio and a major success on US alternative radio. In the 1990s Lightning Seeds became one of the most popular and enterprising of the era. The 1995 album Jollification was a critical masterpiece, spawning several successful singles. In 1996, Lightning Seeds provided the music and production for the official England anthem for the Euro '96 football tournament. The lyrics were written and sung by comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel, and the song, "Three Lions", went straight into the charts at number one.
Since the release of 1999's Tilt the act has taken a back seat as Broudie concentrated on producing the works of others. However, in 2006, Broudie reformed the band with a selection of new members, releasing a Very Best Of album, and performing a number of tour dates. In 2009, the band released Four Winds, their first album in 10 years.
What If...
The Lightning Seeds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's wrong with us today
We're running out of funny things to say
Home, I'm almost glad you made it
I'd never thought I'd see the day
[Chorus]
What if now, after all
What if now, after all, you're still not sure
Remember when a thought could last forever and a day
Lets get back to waking up that way
Love, I'm almost glad we've made it
I never thought we'd see the day
[Chorus]
But before you slip, take a friendly tip
From a friendly face on a sinking ship
Don't ever doubt it, scream and shout it out
What if now, after all [What if I miss you]
What if everything you've got made you want more
What if now, after all [What if I need you]
You're still not sure
[Chorus]
The Lightning Seeds' "What If..." is a song about the doubts and uncertainties that arise in long-distance relationships. The opening lines "You've been away so long, too long / What's wrong with us today" imply that the singer's partner has been away for an extended period, and the distance has taken a toll on their relationship. They are running out of things to talk about and are struggling to maintain their connection.
The chorus "What if now, after all / What if everything you've got made you want more / What if now, after all, you're still not sure" highlights the doubts that the singer has. The distance has made them wonder if their partner finds their current life unfulfilling and if that would lead them to search for something more. They are worried that even after all the time apart, they may not be sure about their feelings for each other.
The third verse “But before you slip, take a friendly tip / From a friendly face on a sinking ship / Don't ever doubt it, scream and shout it out” is a reminder to the partner that if there are any doubts, they should be shouted out and not kept inside. The singer expresses their fear of losing their partner and wanting them to know how they feel, even if those feelings are complex.
Overall, "What If..." portrays the anxieties and doubts that can come along with being in a long-distance relationship, and the fear of what may happen once the distance is erased.
Line by Line Meaning
You've been away so long, too long
I miss you. You've been gone for too long.
What's wrong with us today
We're not connecting like we used to. Something feels off.
We're running out of funny things to say
Our conversations are becoming dull and repetitive.
Home, I'm almost glad you made it
I'm happy you're back. Almost didn't think it would happen.
I'd never thought I'd see the day
I didn't think this moment would ever come.
[Chorus]
What if things aren't as perfect as we thought they would be?
Remember when a thought could last forever and a day
Our thoughts and memories used to feel everlasting.
Lets get back to waking up that way
Let's try to regain that sense of wonder and excitement we used to feel.
Love, I'm almost glad we've made it
I'm happy we're still together. Almost didn't think we'd last.
I never thought we'd see the day
I didn't have faith in us, but we made it through.
[Chorus]
What if we realize that we want more than what we currently have?
But before you slip, take a friendly tip
Don't make a mistake. Take advice from someone who cares.
From a friendly face on a sinking ship
Someone who knows what it's like to be in a tough situation, like myself.
Don't ever doubt it, scream and shout it out
Don't be afraid to express your feelings and fight for what you want.
[Chorus]
What if, even after all this time, we're still not certain about the future?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: IAN ZACHARY BROUDIE, TERRY HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Victor Emilio Contreras Angola
Este disco es uno de los mas fabulosos que he escuchado en mi vida, sensacionales ¡¡¡¡
Jorge García
Si querés darle energía a tu vida tenés que escuchar esta banda tengo 40 minutos de viake en bus y de verdad este tema me alegra el día aunque esté nublado.- Gracias por la música!!
nixonradio
Always loved this, when Ian and the band just give up and abandon their own video because it's out of control, with all the cheesy 60s excesses. Like he's saying that while he admires and loves some things about the Sixties, that doesn't mean he buys into all of it. Still one of my favourite ever LS songs.
Ramses Amenofis
very good song, one of my favorites
PrinceOvPersia1
They dont make music vids like these anymore!!!! Classic retro stuff!!!!!
nick fit
Yes, but it was retro even back then, a kind of pastiche of the sixties.
likebigg
one of my all time favourites
Bass Covers - Guitar Covers - My Songs
amazing song
max planck
Nice to hear the lightening seeds, musically I liked them,I thought the keyboard player was a nice woman too, much love Angie ✌️❤️🇬🇧, the music still sounds good 👍
anthony jones
Best song on the album.