Small Blue Thing
Vega Suzanne Lyrics

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Today I am
A small blue thing
Like a marble
Or an eye

With my knees against my mouth
I am perfectly round
I am watching you

I am cold against your skin
You are perfectly reflected
I am lost inside your pocket
I am lost against
Your fingers

I am falling down the stairs
I am skipping on the sidewalk
I am thrown against the sky

I am raining down in pieces
I am scattering like light
Scattering like light
Scattering like light

Today I am
A small blue thing
Made of china
Made of glass

I am cool and smooth and curious
I never blink
I am turning in your hand

Turning in your hand
Small blue thing

Overall Meaning

The song "Small Blue Thing" by Suzanne Vega captures the feeling of vulnerability and insignificance in a relationship. The opening lines, "Today I am a small blue thing, like a marble or an eye" paint a picture of a precious object, something that can be easily lost or broken. This object is described as "perfectly round," implying a sense of unity and completion, but also a sense of limitation and immobility. The singer of the song seems to be trying to blend in, to become part of the scenery, and be unnoticed by the person she is interacting with.

The following verses describe different scenarios where the singer is "lost" or "thrown" or "raining down in pieces." These images evoke a sense of powerlessness and disconnection. When the singer says, "I am cold against your skin, you are perfectly reflected," it suggests that the person she is with is not affected by her presence. She is simply a small blue thing, a trifle, a bauble that he can hold in his hand and turn around if he wishes, but ultimately can discard without consequence. The final repetition of "Small blue thing" at the end of the song emphasizes this sense of insignificance.

Overall, "Small Blue Thing" is a poignant and beautifully crafted lyric that captures a universal feeling of insecurity and the struggle to find significance in relationships. The use of imagery and repetition creates a powerful sense of vulnerability and isolation that is both touching and relatable.

Line by Line Meaning

Today I am
I am currently feeling the way described in this song

A small blue thing
I feel small and insignificant, like a tiny object

Like a marble
I feel like a smooth, round object

Or an eye
I feel like something that observes and sees without being seen

With my knees against my mouth
I am in a fetal position, feeling small and vulnerable

I am perfectly round
I am completely whole and self-contained

I am watching you
I am observing and analyzing the person I am with

I am cold against your skin
My emotional state is having a physical effect on you

You are perfectly reflected
You are a mirror of my own emotional state

I am lost inside your pocket
I am contained and trapped within your presence

I am lost against
I am overwhelmed and powerless against