The group takes its name from Shakespeare. In particular Hamlet's soliloquy To be, or not to be, where it refers to dying; "coil" is used in its archaic sense of "disturbance, trouble":
"What dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause."
Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1, line 67.
Dreams Are Like Water
This Mortal Coil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
remember me, I once told you and I tried to
?? to realise that nothing lasts forever
?? in heart, you'll always be a child
we cried as we kissed - it was too new
we died and we lived - it was too new
too strong still too much
when you were a child unhappiness took the place of dreams
dreams are like water, colourless and dangerous
without the strength to love, way beyond fear
you could care less if you could care at all
we cried as we kissed - it was too new
we died and we lived - it was too new
too strong still too much
The lyrics of "Dreams Are Like Water" by This Mortal Coil are very abstract and poetic, so attempting to interpret their meaning is a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, some common themes emerge from the words and their delivery. The song seems to grapple with the ephemeral nature of existence and the complexity of human emotions, particularly love and the pain that often accompanies it. The opening lines, "the air was blue, you could hold it in your hand, blue; remember me, I once told you and I tried to," immediately set a dreamlike atmosphere, suggesting a surrealist landscape. The rest of the lyrics continue to draw on this ethereal quality, using vague imagery and emotions to convey an essence of experience rather than a concrete narrative.
The line "when you were a child unhappiness took the place of dreams" is particularly poignant, suggesting that as we grow older, it becomes harder and harder to maintain the innocence and imagination of our childhood selves. The song also touches on the idea that love can be both exhilarating and terrifying, expressed through lines like "we cried as we kissed - it was too new; we died and we lived - it was too new; too strong still too much." Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life, and our often futile attempts to hold onto what we love.
Line by Line Meaning
the air was blue, you could hold it in your hand, blue
The atmosphere was serene and peaceful, you could feel its essence, and it was blue in color
remember me, I once told you and I tried to
Recall my memory, as I have mentioned it to you before, and I attempted to make a connection
?? to realize that nothing lasts forever
It is difficult to understand that everything is temporary and has an expiration date
?? in heart, you'll always be a child
In your heart, you will always maintain the innocence and naivety of a child
we cried as we kissed - it was too new
We wept while we kissed, as our actions were unfamiliar and fresh
we died and we lived - it was too new
We went through a traumatic experience that taught us a lesson but felt like being reborn
too strong still too much
Despite our strength, the situation was overwhelming and demanding
when you were a child unhappiness took the place of dreams
During childhood, instead of having aspirations, unhappiness occupied the mind
dreams are like water, colorless and dangerous
Aspirations are just like water, without any color or shape, and their pursuit can lead to hazardous conditions
without the strength to love, way beyond fear
Without having the emotional strength to love, we are unable to overcome our fears and limitations
you could care less if you could care at all
There is a possibility that you do not care about anything or would care minimally
we cried as we kissed - it was too new
We wept while we kissed, as our actions were unfamiliar and fresh
we died and we lived - it was too new
We went through a traumatic experience that taught us a lesson but felt like being reborn
too strong still too much
Despite our strength, the situation was overwhelming and demanding
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN FRYER, NICHOLAS JOHN FRYER, RUSSELL IVO WATTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind