January 1979
mewithoutYou Lyrics
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My ear pressed against the pass like a glass on a wall of a hospital photograph.
My forehead no longer sweet with holy kisses worthy of your fiery lips.
I was floating in a peaceful sea rescued by a sinking ship.
If I could become the servant of all, no lower place to fall. (I could be your servant)
If I could become the servant of all, no lower place to fall. (If I could be your servant)
If I could become the servant of all, no lower place to fall. (I could be your servant)
You watch me like a ten car highway wreck with a tact, bold or curiosity?
Us looking down on the tops of the hats of us passersby from your seventh floor balcony and grew such a height we missed creatures too small for sight.
Carry on over conversation as the misguided insects crown me their grasshopper king with a dance of celebration.
After years with their crown on my head, I'm rolling over in bed unconcerned and comfortably numb kept busy indulging in the pleasures of the wealthy.
Oh, someone make me afraid of what I've become.
At the first sign of possible sorrow I'll turn my heel and run.
Oh, I'll never learn.
My life's become the sugar I've borrowed before, time and again and forgot to return.
It was a matter of time, I always said I could see but now I'm going blind. (I could be your servant)
It was a matter of time, I always said I could see but now I'm going blind. (If I could be your servant)
It was a matter of time, I always said I could see but now I'm going blind. (I could be your servant)
It was a matter of miserable time but I heard somewhere, there was a cure for useless eyes. (If I could be your servant)
The lyrics of "January 1979" by mewithoutYou are open to interpretation, as is the case with many songs. The opening line sets a dramatic tone with the mention of a terrible crash, and it almost seems ironic that it couldn't help but laugh. The singer then describes a moment of listening in on a conversation through a wall, emphasizing the idea of being an outsider. The references to holy kisses and sinking ships suggest feelings of loss and despair, but the lyrics take a hopeful turn when the singer repeats the idea of becoming the servant of all.
Line by Line Meaning
January, 1979 saw a terrible crash and it couldn't help but laugh.
In January 1979, a bad accident occurred and it appeared to have a humorous aspect to it.
My ear pressed against the pass like a glass on a wall of a hospital photograph.
I was attempting to listen in like a curious bystander at a hospital using the corridor like a stethoscope.
My forehead no longer sweet with holy kisses worthy of your fiery lips.
The symbol of devotion and affection was missing from my life and I lost my way in the process.
I was floating in a peaceful sea rescued by a sinking ship.
I was in a peaceful environment but I was rescued from it by a sinking ship.
If I could become the servant of all, no lower place to fall. (I could be your servant)
Becoming a servant to all would be the lowest place I could take in life but I'd do it willingly for you.
You watch me like a ten car highway wreck with a tact, bold or curiosity?
Are you watching me out of curiosity or because I'm on display like a multi-car highway accident?
Us looking down on the tops of the hats of us passersby from your seventh floor balcony and grew such a height we missed creatures too small for sight.
As we stood on the seventh floor balcony, we soared above the passersby and missed the smaller creatures of life.
Carry on over conversation as the misguided insects crown me their grasshopper king with a dance of celebration.
In spite of the confusion, we converse and the misguided insects crown me their grasshopper king with a dance of celebration.
After years with their crown on my head, I'm rolling over in bed unconcerned and comfortably numb kept busy indulging in the pleasures of the wealthy.
After years with the crown on my head, I've become indifferent and numb, easily able to indulge in the pleasures of the wealthy.
Oh, someone make me afraid of what I've become.
Please scare me enough to make me realize what I've turned into.
At the first sign of possible sorrow I'll turn my heel and run.
As soon as I foresee potential sadness, I'll leave without hesitation.
Oh, I'll never learn.
I'll never truly learn from my mistakes.
My life's become the sugar I've borrowed before, time and again and forgot to return.
My life has become like borrowed sugar that I've used before, but forgot to repay.
It was a matter of time, I always said I could see but now I'm going blind. (I could be your servant)
It was only a matter of time before I gave up my sight, but I'd still willingly be your servant.
It was a matter of time, I always said I could see but now I'm going blind. (If I could be your servant)
I always thought I could see things clearly, but I'm now losing my sight and would still be honored to serve you.
It was a matter of time, I always said I could see but now I'm going blind. (I could be your servant)
Even though I'm losing my sight, I'd still be willing to be your servant - it's the least I could do.
It was a matter of miserable time but I heard somewhere, there was a cure for useless eyes. (If I could be your servant)
Although I've lost my sight and times are hard, I still believe there's a chance for a cure and would still serve you with all I have.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: ALEXANDER ALBERT, ANDREW SCHWAB, RANDY TORRES, STEVEN DAIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind