In 1984, Gary Newby, Brian Bateman, Guy Keegan, and Stephen Hull formed The Railway Children. They signed to legendary Manchester record label, Factory Records and started to record their debut album Reunion Wilderness in 1987. They were signed to Virgin Records soon afterwards. The next year, the band released their second album, Recurrence, to little commercial success. In 1990, they released Native Place, an album that incorperated some elements of the current club music trends in England at the time.
"Every Beat of the Heart" became a top 40 hit in the UK with a peak at #24, and the song became a #1 hit on the newly-founded Alternative chart in the US. In 1992, EMI took over Virgin Records, and the band left the label. Two years later, the band broke up, although Newby released one more album as "The Railway Children" without the other members of the group. Keegan later had a spell in Wigan-based folk-rock band The Tansads.
Every Beat of the Heart
The Railway Children Lyrics
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But I don't need you here to guide me
Identify too familiar ground
And I'll keep away, I'll keep away
I think I can control my need
But you're so precious when you leave
Don't demonstrate, its life and death
Every beat of the heart
Brings me closer to the start
Takes me further away from you
Brings me closer to the truth
And don't show me around
It's just an easy way you've found
That's a part of my life behind me
And I conclude that we can't fail to see
Center ground, better days
Too familiar now to keep away
You think you can control this greed
Well, turn full circle, you can't fail to see
It's second place I've found the key
Close to you I can believe
Every beat of the heart
Brings me closer to the start
Takes me further away from you
Brings me closer to the truth
Every beat of the heart
Brings me closer to the start
Takes me further away from you
Brings me closer to the truth
That's some angry sky behind me
But I don't need you here to guide me
Identify too familiar ground
And I'll keep away, I'll keep away
Every beat of the heart
Brings me closer to the start
Takes me further away from you
Brings me closer to the truth
Every beat of the heart
Brings me closer to the start
Takes me further away from you
Brings me closer to the truth
Every beat of the heart
Brings me closer to the start
Takes me further away from you
Brings me closer to the truth
The lyrics to the song "Every Beat of the Heart" by The Railway Children speak about the conflict between the desire to stay close to someone and the need for personal space and introspection. The singer describes a situation in which they are surrounded by a familiar environment but feel the need to keep away from it, possibly hinting at a relationship or a past experience that they are trying to distance themselves from. The mention of an "angry sky" could represent the turbulent emotions the singer feels as they confront this inner conflict.
The repeated chorus lines, "Every beat of the heart brings me closer to the start, takes me further away from you, brings me closer to the truth," express the idea that every moment of progress or self-discovery also creates distance from others. The singer acknowledges that their longing for the person they are separating from is hard to ignore, but they recognize that this need is not always healthy or productive.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that personal growth can sometimes mean letting go of relationships or situations that do not serve us well. The song captures the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia and regret that can come with this process.
Line by Line Meaning
That's some angry sky behind me
The singer recognizes the turbulence in their life, but they don't need anyone's guidance to navigate through it.
But I don't need you here to guide me
The singer doesn't need anyone's help to deal with the challenges in their life.
Identify too familiar ground
The singer recognizes patterns in their life that are too familiar and may not be helping them move forward.
And I'll keep away, I'll keep away
The artist will avoid repeating these patterns and making the same mistakes again.
I think I can control my need
The artist believes that they can manage their desires and impulses.
But you're so precious when you leave
However, the singer realizes that they often want what they can't have, especially when it comes to a specific person.
Don't demonstrate, its life and death
The singer understands that certain decisions and actions have serious consequences.
In front of me, in front of me
The artist is faced with these difficult choices and must confront them head-on.
Every beat of the heart
Throughout these challenges and experiences, the artist feels the steady rhythm of their own heartbeat.
Brings me closer to the start
Each heartbeat signifies the potential for new beginnings and opportunities.
Takes me further away from you
At the same time, the singer acknowledges that each heartbeat brings them further away from the person they desire.
Brings me closer to the truth
Despite this distance, the artist feels that each beat of their heart brings them closer to understanding their own reality and purpose in life.
And don't show me around
The singer doesn't want to be led or shown what to do by anyone else.
It's just an easy way you've found
They know that relying on others for direction is an easy way out and not necessarily the right path for them.
That's a part of my life behind me
The singer recognizes that certain chapters of their life are now in the past and they need to move on from them.
And I conclude that we can't fail to see
From their experiences, the artist has come to the understanding that some things are just inevitable and can't be avoided.
Center ground, better days
Despite these challenges, the artist believes that they will eventually find balance and better days ahead.
Too familiar now to keep away
The singer has come to terms with the things in their life that are familiar and that they can't or don't want to fully leave behind.
You think you can control this greed
The singer acknowledges their own tendencies towards greed and materialism.
Well, turn full circle, you can't fail to see
However, the artist realizes that this isn't the right path for them and they need to change course.
It's second place I've found the key
The artist has discovered that other things in life, beyond material possessions and desires, hold the key to true fulfillment and happiness.
Close to you I can believe
Throughout these experiences and discoveries, the artist still feels a strong connection to the person they desire and long for.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Gary Newby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind