The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
The National Lyrics
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And I can tell that somebody sold you
We said we'd never let anyone in
We said we'd only die of lonely secrets
The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We're in a different kind of thing now
I thought that this would all work out after a while
Now you're saying that I'm asking for too much attention
Also, no other faith is light enough for this place
We said we'd only die of lonely secrets
The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We're in a different kind of thing now
All night you're talking to God
I cannot explain it
Oh, any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Oh, any other, any other way
The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We're in a different kind of thing now
All night you're talking to God
I cannot explain it
Oh, any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Oh, any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Oh, any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Oh, any other, any other way
The National’s song “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” deals with the theme of communication breakdown, shown through the image of a couple or a pair of people who can’t seem to understand or connect with each other. The singer of the song seems to be a person who believes that they are communicating well with their partner, but then reveals that they can tell “somebody sold” them and that they’re “hiding” something. This leads to frustration and feelings of being ignored or not heard, symbolized by the line “all night you’re talking to god”.
The singer realizes that they are in a different type of relationship, something that they didn’t expect, and that the trust they had in each other has been destroyed. The chorus of the song, “the system only dreams in total darkness”, refers to the fact that sometimes people are unable to communicate with each other, even though they may believe they are doing so, because the “system” that connects them or unites them is broken or flawed. The song expresses a sense of disillusionment and a feeling of being lost in a world that can’t be easily explained.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I listen more than you think
I pay closer attention to what's going on than you give me credit for
And I can tell that somebody sold you
I can see that someone has tricked or deceived you
We said we'd never let anyone in
We promised we would never let anyone get close to us or know our secrets
We said we'd only die of lonely secrets
Our deepest secrets would be our downfall and cause us to be alone
The system only dreams in total darkness
The world is run by people who are hiding in the shadows and don't want to be seen
Why are you hiding from me?
Why are you keeping things from me and trying to keep me in the dark?
We're in a different kind of thing now
Our situation has changed and we're in new territory
All night you're talking to God
You've been praying or trying to find some higher power to help you through this
I thought that this would all work out after a while
I believed that time would heal our problems and everything would eventually be okay
Now you're saying that I'm asking for too much attention
You're accusing me of being needy or demanding too much from you
Also, no other faith is light enough for this place
No other beliefs or systems can help us get through this difficult situation we're in
I cannot explain it
I can't fully describe or understand the situation we're in
Oh, any other, any other way
There's no other explanation or solution that would work
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Matthew D. Berninger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Skyler A
[Verse 1]
Maybe I listen more than you think
I can tell that somebody sold you
We said we’ve never let anyone in
We said we’d only die of lonely secrets
[Pre-Chorus]
The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We’re in a different kind of thing now
All night you’re talking to God
[Verse 2]
I thought that this would all work out after a while
Now you’re saying that I’m asking for too much attention
Also no other faith is light enough for this place
We said we’d only die of lonely secrets
[Pre-Chorus]
The system only dreams in total darkness
Why are you hiding from me?
We’re in a different kind of thing now
All night you’re talking to God
[Chorus]
I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way
I cannot explain it
Any other, any other way
Wilo Polis
This song is dark, gritty, motivating, and beautiful. I can't explain it any other way.
FernandoMarques1976
Nailed it.....
Alfred Cleegus
@Arturo García So true! I was just thinking about how "Man the COVID the barf emoji NOW 2030!"
Julien Azazels
♥️
Roman Torteli
This is dark and gritty? Dude check out About Today and Rains of Castamere by The National
Wang Ngai Arthur Yu
The fact that this isn't spoken about enough in terms of best FIFA songs ever is killing me. For a game with soundtracks known for heavy beats, this song is incredible. The lyrics, the gritty voice, the backing track and guitar and drums accompanying the vocals. It just solidifies that FIFA 18 and this song are some of the best that FIFA has ever had to offer.
goo
fifa 18 has great soundtrack - slowdive (star roving), tash sultana (jungle), alt-j (deadcrush) and this song - in one fifa!
Wang Ngai Arthur Yu
@goo I'm going to have revisit the 2 that aren't deadcrush. It also has Kovic (drown), M.I.N.D., Faded Heart, Wages, L'Hiver Indien, Supercut, Helpline, The Beautiful Game, Live in the Moment, Never Enough, Dangerous, Found What I've been Looking for. Some incredible songs
goo
@Wang Ngai Arthur Yu oh, never enough was my favourite song back then!
edit: live in the moment is my ringtone, i forgot it is from fifa XDD
Wang Ngai Arthur Yu
@goo I only know 2 Rex orange county but I do love both of them. Sunflower is a great song. Live in the moment and Feel it Still are great too