The song is also about how the band has dealt with the success it has achieved since it’s 2012 self-titled debut. Singer Wesley Schultz told EW:
"”Ophelia“ is a vague reference to people falling in love with fame. That spotlight can seem like an endless buffet, but in reality, you’re just shiny, bright, and new to people for a quick moment—and then you have the rest of your life to live."
It’s a hard song to pin down what Ophelia was about as a singular idea – the lyrics in the song were sung in a stream-of -conscious, free sort of way during the demo process. But reading them back, i hear this idea of trying to remind myself not to fall in love with the momentary attention we were getting because i knew that was fleeting. I was in search of something more real. I was also feeling like i was observing someone else live a life somehow – surviving instead of living. With all the touring and shows for the 4-5 years on our first album, the repetition drives you a little mad.
- Wes via Genius
Ophelia
The Lumineers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I, should have known better
And I can't feel no remorse
And you don't feel nothing back
I, I, got a new girlfriend
She feels like he's on top
And I don't feel no remorse
And you can't see past my blinders
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I, I, got a little paycheck
You got big plans and you gotta move
And I don't feel nothing at all
And you can't feel nothing small
Honey, I love you, that's all she wrote
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
The lyrics to The Lumineers' song "Ophelia" touch upon themes of love, regret, and the nature of relationships. Throughout the song, the singer expresses a lack of remorse or regret for the end of his past relationship, despite having a new girlfriend. He acknowledges his selfishness, saying that he can't feel anything small, possibly alluding to his inability to empathize with his ex-partner's emotions.
The refrain of "Heaven help a fool who falls in love" suggests that the singer recognizes the potential for getting hurt or making mistakes in love. The reference to "Ophelia" is likely a nod to the Shakespearean character who meets a tragic end due to the men in her life. In the song, the singer desires to move on from his past relationship, but it is clear that his former partner still lingers on his mind. There is a feeling of being trapped in that relationship, as if he’s been swallowed up by the flood of memories.
Overall, the song seems to be commenting on the fragility of relationships and the way people can become disillusioned with love. The singer seems to be in a place where he can't really feel anything. He sounds lost and unsure of his emotions, perhaps numb to the affect his actions have had on his partners. The overall sound of the song is upbeat, despite the heavy subject matter, which contrasts with the lyrics and reinforces the contradictory emotions expressed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I, when I was younger
In the past when I was younger
I, I, should have known better
I made a mistake and should have known better
And I can't feel no remorse
I feel no regret for my actions
And you don't feel nothing back
You don't reciprocate my feelings
I, I, got a new girlfriend
I have a new girlfriend now
She feels like he's on top
She feels like she's on top of the world
And I don't feel no remorse
I feel no guilt about moving on
And you can't see past my blinders
You can't see the situation from my perspective
Oh, Ophelia
Addressing a woman named Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
I've been thinking about you a lot
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I am foolish for falling in love and need divine intervention
I, I, got a little paycheck
I got paid a small amount
You got big plans and you gotta move
You have ambitious plans and need to move forward
And I don't feel nothing at all
I don't feel anything about our current situation
And you can't feel nothing small
You can't appreciate the small moments between us
Honey, I love you, that's all she wrote
I love you and there's nothing more to say
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
I can't stop thinking about you
Oh, Ophelia
Addressing a woman named Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I am foolish for falling in love and need divine intervention
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
I've been thinking about you a lot
Oh, Ophelia
Addressing a woman named Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I am foolish for falling in love and need divine intervention
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
I can't stop thinking about you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Jeremy C Fraites, Wesley Keith Schultz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@marikaos8817
I, I, when I was younger
I, I, should have known better
And I can't feel no remorse
And you don't feel nothing back
I, I, got a new girlfriend
She feels like he's on top
And I don't feel no remorse
And you can't see past my blinders
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
I, I, got a little paycheck
You got big plans and you gotta move
And I don't feel nothing at all
And you can't feel nothing small
Honey I love you, that's all she wrote
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl since the flood
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
Oh, Ophelia
You've been on my mind girl like a drug
Oh, Ophelia
Heaven help a fool who falls in love
@tabea_3641
this songs feels like the last episode of a really good tv show
@rockypikmin4493
That episode of the Flash really got to me
@dellcomputer9181
I can imagine a really sad The Office edit rn
@yxngbrat968
True
@sofijaandjelic3145
Yes, like last episode of Henry Danger
@wav3618
The office 😥
@kkeyshawh
Me at 3 am : OoOpHeLiiiAaaAAa
@camiones_aviones
X2
@RK-fl2mi
Yeah, Here it is 0:23 AM
@kuzaproducent
It's 1:45am for me here