Feeding on a diet of The Pogues, Paul Kelly, and whatever else was playing, Joy cut his teeth performing at open mic nights in Melbourne. His style is folk music with pop influences. His songs capture the familiar pulse of everyday experiences in a unique and celebratory manner. His lyrics reach out to you and hold on for a moment.
From Afar
Vance Joy Lyrics
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You told me 'boy bite your tongue'
Yes that's not the way,
Yeah that's not the way
Ah that's just not the way that friends behave
Ah that's just not the way that friends behave
Oh no, no, no,
No, no, no, no
You lined me up
Across the room
Two falling sparks
One willing fool
And I, I always knew
That I would love you from afar
You told me 'boy look the other way'
You told me 'boy hide those hands'
Well I've been living on the crumbs of your love
And I'm starving now
And that is just the way that we remain
Ah that will be the way that we remain
Oh no no no
No no no no
You lined me up
Across the room
Two falling sparks
One willing fool
And I, I always knew
That I would love you from afar
You lined me up
Across the room
Two falling sparks
One willing fool
And I, I always knew
That I would love you from afar
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
She got darling hazel eyes
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
The song From Afar by Vance Joy narrates the story of unrequited love that is fueled by the pain of suppressed emotions. The opening line, "You told me 'boy look the other way', you told me 'boy bite your tongue'" shows that the singer's friend has advised him to hide his feelings for the girl he loves. The refrain "that's just not the way that friends behave" hints that the singer's love for the girl may have jeopardized their friendship. Despite his friend's warnings, the singer remains attached to the girl who he adores from afar. The lines "I've been living on the crumbs of your love, And I'm starving now" indicate that he has been surviving on her fleeting attention and is now yearning for more.
The reference to "two falling sparks, one willing fool" portrays the singer's love story as unrequited as the girl he loves doesn't seem to share the same emotions. The repetition of the last stanza "It shouldn't come as a surprise, what I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now" repeatedly underscore the point that the singer's emotions are raw and real, and he is wearing his heart on his sleeve, despite the pain.
Line by Line Meaning
You told me 'boy look the other way'
You instructed me to turn away
You told me 'boy bite your tongue'
You advised me to remain silent
Yes that's not the way,
That behavior is not acceptable
Yeah that's not the way
Indeed, that is not the way
Ah that's just not the way that friends behave
Friends do not act like that
Ah that's just not the way that friends behave
Friends do not act like that
Oh no, no, no,
This is not good
No, no, no, no
Absolutely not
You lined me up
You arranged me
Across the room
On the opposite side of the room
Two falling sparks
Two people who are naturally attracted
One willing fool
One person willing to do anything for love
And I, I always knew
I was always aware that
That I would love you from afar
I would love you without ever being close
You told me 'boy hide those hands'
You commanded me to conceal my hands
Well I've been living on the crumbs of your love
I've been surviving on the little bits of love you provide
And I'm starving now
But now I'm starving for more
And that is just the way that we remain
And that is how things will stay between us
Ah that will be the way that we remain
We will continue to behave that way
Oh no no no
This is not good
No no no no
Absolutely not
It shouldn't come as a surprise
It's no surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
The way I currently feel
It shouldn't come as a surprise
It's no surprise
She got darling hazel eyes
She has beautiful hazel eyes
It shouldn't come as a surprise
It's no surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
The way I currently feel
It shouldn't come as a surprise
It's no surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
The way I currently feel
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JAMES KEOGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Vincent
"You told me 'boy look the other way'
You told me 'boy bite your tongue'
Yes that's not the way,
Yeah that's not the way
Ah that's just not the way that friends behave
Ah that's just not the way that friends behave
Oh no, no, no,
No, no, no, no
You lined me up
Across the room
Two falling sparks
One willing fool
And I, I always knew
That I would love you from afar
You told me 'boy look the other way'
You told me 'boy hide those hands'
Well I've been living on the crumbs of your love
And I'm starving now
And that is just the way that we remain
Ah that will be the way that we remain
Oh no no no
No no no no
You lined me up
Across the room
Two falling sparks
One willing fool
And I, I always knew
That I would love you from afar
You lined me up
Across the room
Two falling sparks
One willing fool
And I, I always knew
That I would love you from afar
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
She got darling hazel eyes
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now
It shouldn't come as a surprise
What I'm feeling, what I'm feeling now"
Riley Woodstock
This song is literally the story of my life. I love how relatable Vance Joys songs are and I LOVE them so much. My favorite line is "I've been living on the crumbs of your love, and I'm starving now". So perfect.
BadLuckSparrow
I definitely know about those crumbs >_>
Alaina L
Opheliaisnotonfire hey phandom and yeah I love his music too
Elrom Ben Avraham
@Carmelita Kitty YESSSSS
Jasmine
@Carmelita Kitty SAME HERE! Tugs the hearts strings
Daryl Parkin
"It shouldn't come as a surprise, what I'm feeling now." Just these words. Wow. So many times have I thought this.
Funkie Junkie
Tell me about it man, it's so painful ;(
C J
@Elrom Ben Avraham I feel ya..
Elrom Ben Avraham
@Daryl Parkin I CRIED.
Jazmine Lo
I always thought I'll never relate to this song because doing so will hurt a great deal. But here I am, hopelessly, utterly in love with someone I have deeply connected with. Always on the verge of something but can't. I know we both understand that it's not just friendship. But I eventually learned he's already with someone.
"Two fallen sparks, one willing fool" Here's to people we connect so profoundly with, but for some reason, cannot pass the friendship boundary. Hugs to you all.
And to you, it shouldn't come as a surprise what I am feeling now. But I hope nothing but happiness! I knew then, and now, I will love you from afar.