After their 1999 debut Anchor, the band released Different Stars in 2002. It caught the attention of Cocteau Twins bassist Simon Raymonde, who signed the band to his record label Bella Union, and re-released it with a new tracklisting. The band moved to Seattle to make their third album, 2006's Having. After the EPs Noble House (2007) and The Natural Order of Things (2009), the band entered a period of silence and ultimately disbanded owing to tensions between Williams and Brown. They reunited in 2020 to release the single "Winterstorms".
Anna-Lynne releases solo music under the name Lotte Kestner.
Safe
Trespassers William Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do you want
You'll be close, not close enough
Not close enough for my kind of heart
You say words you can't take back
Used to be love
Now it's words hard to look at
Hard to look at with the lights on
Or why would you say it
When you know I feel it
Whistles through my bones
Alone in a love
The one that we started
The one that you ended with some words
Why'd I start before you said
"I checked it out, it's safe and sound"
Like I showed you right away
All the things that eyes can say
Where you are it must not look so bad
Or why would you do it
When you know I feel it
And my eyes are not afraid to cry their way
Through all you say
I know that what we started
I think that we ended
The lyrics of Trespassers William's song "Safe" reflect the pain and confusion that can come with the end of a relationship. The singer is struggling to understand why their partner would say hurtful things that they can't take back, causing the love they once shared to become tainted. Despite the physical proximity between the two, the singer does not feel as though their partner is emotionally close enough to truly understand their pain. The last stanza speaks to the hopelessness that can come with the end of a relationship, acknowledging that it has both started and ended, and there is no going back to fix it.
The line "In your head it must not sound so bad, or why would you say it" highlights the disconnection between the singer and their partner, suggesting that their partner may not fully understand the weight of their words. The use of the word "whistles" to describe the impact of the hurtful words emphasizes the sharpness and pain of the singer's experience.
The reference to "all the things that eyes can say" points to the disconnect between what is being said out loud and what is truly being felt. The singer is aware of this disconnect and is hurt by their partner's inability to see things from their perspective.
Overall, the lyrics of "Safe" capture the raw emotions and difficulties of moving on from a past relationship. It portrays the hurt and disconnection that can come with the end of a once-loving relationship, and the struggle to let go and move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I forget, tell me again
I need clarity, please repeat what you just said
What do you want
What is your desire or motivation in this situation?
You’ll be close, not close enough
Your intended action falls just short of what is required in this context
Not close enough for my kind of heart
My heart cannot settle for what you are offering
You say words you can't take back
You speak without thinking of the consequences or damage that will follow
Used to be love
This relationship was built on love in the past
Now it's words hard to look at
Your current words or actions are painful and difficult to face
Hard to look at with the lights on
It is difficult to face the reality of the situation
In your head it must not sound so bad
You do not realize the impact of your words or actions on me
Or why would you say it
What was your intention or purpose in saying those words?
When you know I feel it
You are aware of the pain you are causing me
Whistles through my bones
The pain is felt intensely and physically
Alone in a love
Despite being in a relationship, I feel lonely and disconnected
The one that we started
Our relationship began with love and affection
The one that you ended with some words
Your words and actions have led to the destruction of our relationship
Why'd I start before you said
I took action without thinking through the consequences or seeking your input
"I checked it out, it's safe and sound"
You assured me of the safety and security of the situation
Like I showed you right away
You demonstrated your confidence and urgency in proving the safety of the situation
All the things that eyes can say
Non-verbal communication can convey meaning just as powerfully as spoken words
Where you are it must not look so bad
You are unaware of or indifferent to the severity of the situation
Or why would you do it
What was your reasoning or justification for taking that action?
When you know I feel it
You know that your actions are causing me pain and distress
And my eyes are not afraid to cry their way
I am not afraid to express my emotions and show vulnerability
Through all you say
Your words and actions continue to have an impact on me
I know that what we started
I have an understanding of the original love and connection we shared
I think that we ended
The relationship has come to an end due to your actions and words
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anna-lynne WILLIAMS, John michael WILLIAMS, Matthew EMERSON BROWN, Ross DAVENPORT SIMONINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind