Castles in the Sand
The Philosopher Kings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Built a perfect house in a perfect town
Dreamt a perfect dream and it all fell down
We held on tight like hungry lovers
Watched the day break from beneath the covers
Had to know for sure what it's all about
Oh, just tell me we're happy
Just building castles in the sand
(da da na na, da da na na)
I saw the naked light and it burned my eyes
Couldn't look away, no matter how I tried
I watched you explode when you think it's over
Burst in colour like a super nova
Had to track you down, had to find you out
Oh, this should be easy
Oh, just tell me we're happy
Just building castles in the sand
Just building castles in the sand
The tides roll in and waves get closer
And knock us over and we get stronger every time
We build our castles in the sand
Built a perfect house in a perfect town
Dreamt a perfect dream and it all fell down
Oh, just tell me we're happy
Just building castles in the sand
Just building castles in the sand
Just building castles in the sand
Just building castles in the sand
The Philosopher Kings' Castles In The Sand tells the story of two people who pursued the idea of a perfect life, but found that it was not worth much as it crumbles down like castles built in the sand. The first verse introduces the idea that they have built a perfect house in a perfect town, but everything fell apart just the same. They try to hold on tight to what they had, but the dream was too fragile, and they knew they had to find out what life was all about. The chorus suggests that all they were doing was building castles in the sand, an activity that is bound to lead to disappointment as it was not real or lasting.
In the second verse, one of the singers saw the light, perhaps a metaphor for clarity, it burned his eyes and he could not look away. He watched his partner explode when it seems like it was all over, only to come back stronger with more colors, like a supernova. The singer had to track down his partner to find out what was going on, probably trying to make sense of what they were trying to achieve. The song ends with the idea that every time the tides come in and knock them over, they get stronger, and despite everything falling apart, they are building castles in the sand.
Line by Line Meaning
Built a perfect house in a perfect town
Created an idealized version of life in an idyllic place
Dreamt a perfect dream and it all fell down
Imagined a flawless future, only to have it crumble away
We held on tight like hungry lovers
Clung to our desires and aspirations with great intensity
Watched the day break from beneath the covers
Observed the world waking up while trying to hide from reality
Had to know for sure what it's all about
Sought answers and understanding about the meaning of life
Oh, this should be easy
Hoped that finding happiness and purpose would come effortlessly
Oh, just tell me we're happy
Longed for reassurance that everything will be alright
Just building castles in the sand
Engaged in fleeting and temporary pursuits
I saw the naked light and it burned my eyes
Encountered truth in its raw form, which was difficult to face
Couldn't look away, no matter how I tried
Became captivated by the truth, unable to ignore it
I watched you explode when you think it's over
Saw you blossom and flourish when all seemed lost
Burst in colour like a super nova
Radiated beauty and energy, like a celestial event
Had to track you down, had to find you out
Pursued and discovered the source of that radiant energy
The tides roll in and waves get closer
Life's challenges come and go, sometimes with increasing intensity
And knock us over and we get stronger every time
Despite being knocked down, we become more resilient with each blow
We build our castles in the sand
Even though our efforts may be fleeting, we continue to strive for something greater
Just building castles in the sand
Our pursuits may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but we still believe in them
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN WEST, DENTON WHITED, GERALD EATON, JAMES MCCOLLUM, JON LEVINE, MARC ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RULING QUEEN -who OVERRULES all religious kings!
Lyrics:
built a perfect house in a perfect town
dreamt a perfect dream and it all fell down
we held on tight like hungry lovers
watched the day break from beneath the covers
had to know for sure what it's all about
oh, this should be easy
oh, just tell me we're happy
just building castles in the sand
i saw the naked light and it burned my eyes
couldn't look away no matter how i tried
i watched you explode when you think it's over
and i burst in colours like a supernova
had to track you down, had to find you out
oh, this should be easy
oh, just tell me we're happy
just building castles in the sand
and tides roll in, and waves get closer, knock us over
but we get stronger every time
we build our castles in the sand
...built a perfect house in perfect town
dreamt a perfect dream and it all fell down
oh, just tell me we're happy,
just building castles in the sand..
I ain´t happy ! : (
monica
I remember hearing this song on the radio a lot back in 2005-06. This brings back a lot of memories!!
holly pietrzak
me too
Neil Mason
One of the best songs ever written! So sad and beautiful.
Hilary Ready
This song came out my last year of high school and I will always associate it with the excitement and uncertainty that comes with graduating and going off to music school. Hard to believe that was ten years ago!
Shirin Gadjieva
u guys should see him singing live .... he is truly a great performer and has a beautiful voice
Justice Flynn
One of my all time favourite songs!! Beautiful song all around! Great group!
nyunyu12
love this song, brings back memories for me.
skorpionsks
Its about knowing something good is going to end, but enjoying it for what it is while it lasts.
Alexander James-Palmer
I remember listening to this song back in 2005, when I was only just 8 years old. This song was so popular back in the day. I can't believe it was 10 years ago.
파워볼지바겐9
This song is perfect in the summer :')