The music video for this track was shot in a wide arena in Los Angeles.
I've Been Losing You
a-ha Lyrics
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Rinsed out the colours of your eyes
Putting the gun down on the bedside table
I must have realized
It wasn't the rain
That made no difference
And I could have sworn it wasn't me
Almost slowly
Plain for all to see
Oh c'mon please now
Talk to me
Tell me things I could find helpful
How can I stop now
Is there nothing I can do
I have lost my way
I've been losing you
I can still hear our screams competing
You're hissing your s's like a snake
Now in the mirror stands
Half a man
I thought no one could break
It wasn't the rain
That made no difference
Nervously drumming on:Run away
But I want the guilt to get me
Thoughts to wreck me
Preying on my mind
So, please now
Talk to me
Tell me things I could find helpful
For how can I stop now
Is there nothing I can do
I have lost my way
I've been losing you
The lyrics of "I've Been Losing You" by a-ha describe someone who has lost a loved one, likely due to their own actions. The first verse suggests that the singer may have killed someone ("Putting the gun down on the bedside table") but is not sure if they were responsible ("I could have sworn it wasn't me"). The rain that falls is not enough to wash away the memories or the guilt. The singer is searching for answers, asking for communication from the lost lover ("Talk to me / Tell me things I could find helpful") and wondering how to move forward ("How can I stop now / Is there nothing I can do?").
The second verse shows the singer's deep pain and regret over what has happened. The screams of anger and hurt that they shared with their partner are now gone, replaced by the hissing of "s's" like a snake. Looking in the mirror, the singer sees "half a man", shattered by the loss. The guilt is so strong that they cannot even run away from it - they want it to "prey on [their] mind". The chorus repeats the search for answers, asking for help and direction in finding their way back to happiness ("I have lost my way / I've been losing you").
Overall, the song is a poignant exploration of guilt and loss. The singer is struggling to understand and come to terms with what has happened, wracked with pain and regret. The atmospheric melody and Morten Harket's emotive vocals add to the haunting feel of the song, making it a powerful and moving experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
It wasn't the rain that washed away...
The rain did not cause what happened.
Rinsed out the colours of your eyes
The situation caused distress and sadness.
Putting the gun down on the bedside table
The singer is reflecting on a past event where they placed a gun on a table.
I must have realized
The artist is acknowledging that they may have realized something during this past event.
And I could have sworn it wasn't me
The artist is in disbelief that they were capable of doing what they did.
Yet I did it all so coldly
Despite their disbelief, the singer acted with indifference.
Almost slowly
The singer acted gradually and with control.
Plain for all to see
Others could see what the artist was doing, even if they didn't understand why.
You're hissing your s's like a snake
The other person is speaking angrily and with venom.
Now in the mirror stands
The artist is reflecting on themselves in a mirror.
Half a man
The singer feels as though they have lost a part of themselves due to their actions.
Nervously drumming on:Run away
The artist is feeling anxious and wants to escape.
But I want the guilt to get me
Despite their desire to run away, the singer wants to feel guilty for their actions.
Thoughts to wreck me
The singer is having troubling thoughts and emotions that are affecting them.
Preying on my mind
The troubling thoughts and emotions are consuming the singer's thoughts.
Is there nothing I can do
The artist is feeling helpless and wanting to change what has happened.
I have lost my way
The artist is feeling lost and unsure of what to do next.
I've been losing you
The singer is realizing that they are losing the other person as a result of their actions.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PAL WAAKTAAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
steve
on Take On Me
ahhh the old days