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.
Mr. Somewhere
This Mortal Coil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's wrong, that is that
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
A boat from the river takes you out
'Cross the other side of town, to get out, to get out
You take the tide, any tide, any tide
Like there isn't gonna be any tide
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
A world like tomorrow wears things out
It's hard enough to get what's yours for now
And the hardest words are spoken softly
Softly look, no hands upon
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Now the milkman beats you to the door
That was once a home, home no more
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, couldn't get the calendar to stop
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never will admit just how much
The lyrics to This Mortal Coil's "Mr. Somewhere" are evocative and full of layered meaning. The first verse depicts a sickly, foreboding day, indicating that something isn't right. The repeated refrain of "Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much" gives a sense of confusion, disorientation, and loss. The idea of taking a boat to cross the river to get out reinforces the sense of feeling trapped or stuck in a situation.
The second verse speaks to the passage of time and how it can wear things out, showing that life is difficult enough to navigate in the present without worrying about the future. The line "the hardest words are spoken softly" seems to suggest that painful truths are best confronted with a gentle approach. The final verse seems to create a sense of finality with the description of a milkman beating on a door that was once a home but is no more. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the theme of being "missing somewhere," possibly indicating a lack of connection or purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Day comes up sicker than a cat
The day is starting off badly, with a sick feeling.
Something's wrong, that is that
There is definitely something wrong.
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Mr. Somewhere is lost and missing, but it's hard to tell how much he's missed.
A boat from the river takes you out
A boat can take you away from your problems.
'Cross the other side of town, to get out, to get out
Going to the other side of town can help you escape your troubles.
You take the tide, any tide, any tide
You have to be willing to take whatever opportunity comes your way.
Like there isn't gonna be any tide
You have to act as though there won't be another opportunity.
A world like tomorrow wears things out
The future can wear out what we have now.
It's hard enough to get what's yours for now
It's already difficult enough to keep what we have in the present.
And the hardest words are spoken softly
The most difficult messages are delivered with kindness.
Softly look, no hands upon
It's better to observe without getting involved or taking action.
Now the milkman beats you to the door
Someone else is already getting what you want.
That was once a home, home no more
What once felt like home no longer does.
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, couldn't get the calendar to stop
Mr. Somewhere is missing and wishes he could slow down time to stay with us longer.
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
He is missed but it's hard to quantify how much.
Missing somewhere, never will admit just how much
He will never acknowledge how much he is missed.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER MILTON WALSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nansvdh
Day comes up sicker than a cat
Something's wrong that is that
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere never did figure just how much
A boat from the river takes you out
'cross the other side of town, to get out, to get out
You take the tide, any tide, any tide
like there isn't gonna be any tide
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere never did figure just how much
A world like tomorrow wears things out
It's hard enough to get what's yours for now
And the hardest words are spoken softly
Softly look, no hands upon
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere never did figure just how much
Now the milkman beats you to the door
That was once a home, home no more
Mr. Somewhere, missing somewhere couldn't get the calendar to stop
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never will admit just how much
@ebcom3
Day comes up sicker than a cat
Something's wrong, that is that
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
A boat from the river takes you out
'Cross the other side of town, to get out, to get out
You take the tide, any tide, any tide
Like there isn't gonna be any tide
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
A world like tomorrow wears things out
It's hard enough to get what's yours for now
And the hardest words are spoken softly
Softly look, no hands upon
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Now the milkman beats you to the door
That was once a home, home no more
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere, couldn't get the calendar to stop
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never will admit just how much
@kgpublicationsinc
One of THE BEST SONGS ever written. Totally underrated. 🫀✨
@gingergrrrl6242
The composers on this project as well as 'It'll End In Tears' combine scintillating artwork & mezmerizing sound. Always putting euphony before profitability.
@nansvdh
Day comes up sicker than a cat
Something's wrong that is that
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere never did figure just how much
A boat from the river takes you out
'cross the other side of town, to get out, to get out
You take the tide, any tide, any tide
like there isn't gonna be any tide
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere never did figure just how much
A world like tomorrow wears things out
It's hard enough to get what's yours for now
And the hardest words are spoken softly
Softly look, no hands upon
Mr. Somewhere missing somewhere never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere never did figure just how much
Now the milkman beats you to the door
That was once a home, home no more
Mr. Somewhere, missing somewhere couldn't get the calendar to stop
Missing somewhere, never did figure just how much
Missing somewhere, never will admit just how much
@4EyedAnimation
I think it's "A word like tomorrow..." but thanks for the lyrics
@mikeydread62
This is a lovely version of a song written by The Apartments / aka Peter Milton Walsh. Was a fan of Shelleyan Orphan and this brings it all back. Vale Caroline Crawley
@DariZen
Been listening to this song since 1993... always thought it was about someone else... but now it's suddenly about me. there are very few artists that can have such a timeless AND timely appeal, so kudos to the author(s) of this beauty..."that was once a home, home no more"
@eduardoteodorobracamonteal397
1991
@alineyasmin2412
...uma das mais lindas que já já tocaram minha alma...
@mishaburrer5197
Such an amazing piece of work is this album in its entirety. As is each cut ... but it is a journey.... spoken softly indeede
@TheMarcvanGardon
This song is soooo beautyful,that I can only listen to it in christmas-time.Otherwise there would be too many emotions that I could`nt stand in normal times.