Believe
The Northern Pikes Lyrics


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Once depression walked through my door
Open loving arms and open loving legs
Homeless in Winnipeg
Completely caught me off guard
Safely loved like two splints on a broken leg
Would ya hate to see me beg

Once upon a time avec ma chérie
I never questioned life
I never twisted knives
I always would survive

And I'll ask myself why
No I can't believe it's true
After three million fights
I'm still in love with you
I can't believe it's dwindled away
To a forced "hello.. ya I'll see you someday"
Let me be your tornado
Like I did that summer day
I swept you off your feet
Dust never tasted so sweet
Completely caught you off guard
You're walking west and feeling east
I'm lonely at your feet
So lonely at your feet

Once upon a time avec ma chérie
I never questioned life
I never twisted knives
I always would survive

And I'll ask myself why
No I can't believe it's true
After three million fights
I'm still in love with you
I can't believe it's dwindled away
To a forced "hello.. ya I'll see you someday"
We will look back to the evidence
And blatant testimony
We will react... ooh, ooh
And I'll ask myself why
No I can't believe it's true
After three million fights
I'm still in love with you
I can't believe it's dwindled away




To a forced "hello.. ya I'll see you someday"
I can't believe

Overall Meaning

the emotions conveyed in The Northern Pikes's song "Believe". The lyrics describe the ups and downs of a relationship, especially when one partner is going through depression. The line "Once depression walked through my door" is such a powerful opener because it introduces the idea that sometimes we don't have control over what comes into our lives, but it's important to embrace it with open arms and try to make the best of it. The particular use of "open loving arms and open loving legs" is also an interesting choice because it suggests that the singer is trying to be there for their partner both emotionally and physically.


The following lines are equally poignant, as they refer to the homeless situation in Winnipeg. It's clear that the singer is caught off guard by this unexpected situation and may feel powerless to help. However, they still want to be there for their partner and offer them safety, even if it's just two splints on a broken leg. The lyric "Would ya hate to see me beg" is quite powerful and shows the singer's vulnerability in this situation.


The rest of the song discusses the relationship's ups and downs, how it's changed over time, and yet, despite the many fights they've had, the singer is still in love with their partner. They long for the times when they never questioned life, and they didn't have to twist knives to survive. However, they realize that things have dwindled away to a forced "hello.. ya I'll see you someday", which is a sad commentary on how relationships can evolve over time. The singer still longs to be their partner's tornado, to sweep them off their feet like they did that summer day, but it's uncertain if that's still possible. The final lines "I'm lonely at your feet, so lonely at your feet" really drive home the idea of feeling isolated and disconnected from someone you love.


Line by Line Meaning

Once depression walked through my door
I experienced depression unexpectedly


Open loving arms and open loving legs
I was vulnerable and willing to love


Homeless in Winnipeg
I felt lost and alone in a place that should have felt familiar


Completely caught me off guard
I was unprepared and surprised by the situation


Safely loved like two splints on a broken leg
Our love provided safety and stability in a difficult time


Would ya hate to see me beg
I don't want to appear desperate or needy


Once upon a time avec ma chérie
In the past, I was with my beloved


I never questioned life
I had a sense of certainty about my existence


I never twisted knives
I never intentionally harmed others or myself


I always would survive
I had confidence in my ability to overcome challenges


And I'll ask myself why
I'll wonder about the reasons behind my feelings


No I can't believe it's true
I'm surprised that things have turned out this way


After three million fights
We've been through many arguments and struggles


I'm still in love with you
Despite everything, my feelings for you remain strong


I can't believe it's dwindled away
Our connection has diminished over time


To a forced 'hello.. ya I'll see you someday'
Our interactions have become insincere and awkward


Let me be your tornado
I want to shake things up and bring excitement to our relationship


Like I did that summer day
I want to recreate the passionate feelings we once had


I swept you off your feet
I made you feel special and loved


Dust never tasted so sweet
Even the most insignificant moments between us felt meaningful


You're walking west and feeling east
You're emotionally conflicted and uncertain


I'm lonely at your feet
I feel isolated and desperate for your attention


We will look back to the evidence
We'll reflect on the proof of our past love


And blatant testimony
The clear and tangible memories of our relationship


We will react... ooh, ooh
Our emotions will prompt us to take action


I can't believe
I'm shocked and overwhelmed by my emotions




Contributed by Adam Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Nana J

I recently found all my fathers old casettes, played them and found a new favorite band <3

dean robert99

'I can't believe... it's dwindled away... to a forced hello... I'll see you some day' - whew. In '93 those words just crushed me and resonated true.. But life spins on. To hear it now all these years later brings that time back like a kick in the nards. I've truly under appreciated this band, this song, and this album. Thanks NP.

truebeatlepeople

fabulous song by Bryan, incredible lyrics that pretty much sum up my breakup back in late '93....  when a song can resonate with anothers personal experience and help them relate and heal, then that song is a true gift..... and this one definatly is all of that.  Thanks Bryan.

babybug80

Love, love, love these wonderful men. Not just their music but their beautiful souls!! Such a pleasure to see them and say Hi!

Dave Kay

Imo their best song - well done, lads. Takes me back!

D&L

I was at that concert in Winnipeg to during the Ex. It was a good show.

Scott Bayley

Weird how this song sounds more eighties than anything they released in the 80s.

Ronan Kelly

This takes me back :)

Kate Lum Book Readings: Stories for Kids

wow, beautiful. the song, too.... ;)

James Grady

band was so good

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