No One but You
Yo-Yo Ma Stuart Duncan & Aoife O'Donovan Lyrics
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Who are you not above
Your babies aren't born
Their mother won't return
The torch you're trying to carry burns
For no one but you
Play us a song
Show us where we belong
But they'll never tell our kids
They wish they'd had the life you've led
For no one but you
Cause when it's time to go
You'll have so many things to show
To no one but you
The lyrics in Yo-Yo Ma Stuart Duncan & Aoife O'Donovan's song "No One But You" are open to interpretation, but seem to convey a message of loneliness and self-reflection. The opening lines, "Where is your love, Who are you not above," suggest that the singer is searching for love and struggling with feelings of superiority or entitlement. The second verse paints a picture of the singer's family life, with babies being born and a mother who won't return. The torch being carried by the singer may represent a legacy or responsibility that they are trying to fulfill, but ultimately it burns for no one but themselves.
The chorus brings the focus onto the audience, with the call to "Play us a song, Show us where we belong." The lover's nodding heads suggest approval or admiration, but the parents will never tell their children that they wish they had the life the singer has led. The final lines, "Cause when it's time to go, You'll have so many things to show, To no one but you," again emphasize the introspective nature of the song and the idea that the singer's accomplishments will only matter to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Where is your love
Where is the depth of your affection
Who are you not above
Who is beneath you in worth or value
Your babies aren't born
Your progeny has not yet arrived
Their mother won't return
Their female parent will not come back
The torch you're trying to carry burns
The endeavor you're holding onto is difficult
For no one but you
Only you are responsible for it
Play us a song
Perform a melody for us
Show us where we belong
Guide us to our place
Our lovers nod their heads
Our romantic partners approve silently
But they'll never tell our kids
But they won't inform our offspring
They wish they'd had the life you've led
They aspire to live the life you have experienced
For no one but you
Only you made it possible
Cause when it's time to go
Because when it's the time to leave
You'll have so many things to show
You'll have many things to exhibit
To no one but you
To only you will they be demonstrated
Contributed by Charlie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cherylthorpe3875
Where is your love
Who are you not above
Your babies aren't born
Their mother won't return
The torch you're trying to carry burns
For no one but you
Play us a song
Show us where we belong
Our lovers nod their heads
But they'll never tell our kids
They wish they'd had the life you've lived
For no one but you
'Cause when it's time to go
You'll have so many things to show
To no one but you
@cherylthorpe3875
Where is your love
Who are you not above
Your babies aren't born
Their mother won't return
The torch you're trying to carry burns
For no one but you
Play us a song
Show us where we belong
Our lovers nod their heads
But they'll never tell our kids
They wish they'd had the life you've lived
For no one but you
'Cause when it's time to go
You'll have so many things to show
To no one but you
@TheGPFilmMaker
Talk about breath control! Aoife O'Donovan has the most immaculate tone quality! The rest of them are so phenomenal, but I think she really shines in this piece!
@MGDeadSpin
Does anyone else find it hard to breathe while listening to this?
@Frankie-zl8uz
Yes
@thephoebejeebies
in the best possible way
@wudnhed58
If that doesn't touch you, you have no soul.
@feh2041996
That opening cello line is so soulful! Yo Yo Ma is a legend
@kippykipps
The best of what the human race has to offer.
@Despara5T
Well actually music is inspiring at best. The best the human race has to offer is symbiotic existence with itself.
@zimofrite
Never, in my life, have I felt any less talented...