The Sun
portugal the man Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you look real high
You just might find
Sitting in the stars
Glistening, glistening
Waiting for the band to come
Just waiting for that man to come
Oh, I wonder
Slip on down from that sun
To climb down to earth
And down to things like time
Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Born of earth and light like all these others

If you're talking to the moon
The moon might sing about the universe
Shouting out I don't need, I don't need time
I breathe in time
Where, where are we now?
Where, where are we now?

Slip on down from that sun
To climb down to earth
And down to things like time
Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Born of earth and light like all these others

If you're looking for the river
Just find the mouth
It's grinding like gnashing teeth foaming out, foaming out
Mixing up that hell to come
Just mixing up the hell to come
And it's fixing up to swallow me whole
Fixing up to swallow me whole
Fixing up to swallow my soul
Fixing up to swallow me whole

Slip on down from that sun
To climb down to earth
And down to things like time
Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Born of earth and light like all these others
We are all, we are all
Where, where are we now?
We are all, we are all
Where, where are we now?
We are all, we are all




Where, where are we now?
Oh, I wonder

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "The Sun" by Portugal. The Man are lyrical and philosophical. The song reminds us that we are all just temporary parts of the universe, made of the same earth and light as everything else. The opening lines "If you look real high, you just might find/sitting in the stars, glistening, glistening" suggests that there is something beyond our immediate perception that is waiting for us, some kind of cosmic destiny. The refrain "slip on down from that sun" evokes a sense of coming back down to earth, to the daily struggles of life where we are all just trying to survive.


The verses reference the moon and the river as other elements of nature that exist beyond our perception of time. The moon, like the stars, has existed for billions of years and will continue to exist long after we are gone. The river is eternal and indifferent, grinding away at the rocks and earth with its gnashing teeth. Both the moon and the river serve as reminders that our lives are just a blip in the vastness of eternity.


The song's refrain "we are all just lovers, born of earth and light like all these others" suggests that despite our differences and struggles, we are all connected to each other and to the universe. We are all part of the same cosmic dance, trying to find meaning within the chaos. The final lines "we are all, we are all/ where, where are we now?/ oh, I wonder" encapsulate the song's sense of uncertainty and wonder. We may not know where we are going or what our destiny might be, but we can still marvel at the beauty and complexity of the universe around us.


Line by Line Meaning

If you look real high
When you gaze up at the sky


You just might find
It's possible you'll come across


Sitting in the stars
An entity located among the constellations


Glistening, glistening
Sparkling, shining brightly


Waiting for the band to come
Anticipating the arrival of a musical group


Just waiting for that man to come
Simply waiting for the arrival of a particular individual


Oh, I wonder
Expressing a sense of curiosity and amazement


Slip on down from that sun
Descend from the sun


To climb down to earth
To return to the surface of the planet


And down to things like time
Returning to the linear experience of time on Earth


Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Humans share a common bond through love


Born of earth and light like all these others
We are all created from earth and possess an inner light


If you're talking to the moon
When you engage in conversation with the lunar body


The moon might sing about the universe
The moon may metaphorically express its knowledge of the cosmos


Shouting out I don't need, I don't need time
Expressing a lack of necessity for time


I breathe in time
Drawing in the concept of time with every breath


Where, where are we now?
Posing a question about the current location or state of being


If you're looking for the river
If you're searching for the waterway


Just find the mouth
Locate the point where the river empties into the ocean


It's grinding like gnashing teeth foaming out, foaming out
The river is turbulent and fierce, churning with aggression


Mixing up that hell to come
Stirring up tumult and potential turmoil


Just mixing up the hell to come
Simply agitating the future chaos


And it's fixing up to swallow me whole
The coming turmoil may consume and overwhelm the singer


Fixing up to swallow me whole
Further emphasizing the impending threat


Fixing up to swallow my soul
The turmoil may threaten to consume more than just the singer's physical self


We are all, we are all just lovers
Reiterating the shared bond of human love


Born of earth and light like all these others
Once again emphasizing our common origin and inner light


Where, where are we now?
Asking yet again about our current situation


We are all, we are all
Restating the shared nature of humanity


Where, where are we now?
Asking a final time about our current position


We are all, we are all
Driving home the message of human commonality


Where, where are we now?
Ending with a return to the same questioning tone


Oh, I wonder
Finishing with the same impression of wonder and curiosity




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN BALDWIN GOURLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@angelojesusarenas

If you look real high you just might find
Sitting in the stars, glistening, glistening
Waiting for the band to come
Just waiting for that man to come
Oh, I wonder

Slip on down from that sun to climb
Down to earth and down to things like time
Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Born of earth and light like all these others

If you're talking to the moon
The moon might sing about the universe
Shouting out "I don't need, I don't need time"
I breathe in time
Where, where are we now?
Where, where are we now?

Slip on down from that sun to climb
Down to earth and down to things like time
Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Born of earth and light like all these others

If you're looking for the river just find the mouth
It's grinding like gnashing teeth foaming out, foaming out
Mixing up the hell to come
Just mixing up the hell to come

And it's fixing up to swallow me whole
It's fixing up to swallow me whole
It's fixing up to swallow my soul
Fixing up to swallow me whole

Slip on down from that sun to climb
Down to earth and down to things like time
Because we are all, we are all just lovers
Born of earth and light like all these others

Where, where are we now?
Where, where are we now?
Where, where are we now?
Where, where are we now?



All comments from YouTube:

@rexhackett

Never been this easy to like every song by a band.

@MLSoll

So true!

@danielmacintosh5875

Gorillaz's Demon Days Songs are all pretty good.

@gm5240

Raj Khot same with Cage the Elephant for me

@ethanm8544

Cage The elephant, Kygo and Foo Fighters love every song by those bands/artist and its going like that for this band to

@Micoolaw

this is so true

4 More Replies...

@derrickvaughan4564

My brother and I saw Portugal play like 12 years ago in a burger restaurant in San Antonio. I'm so happy for them that they have made it big. They deserve it.

@jakenoneya4087

Who used to listen to this before they got big??

@eliangarcia2486

Jake noneya i listened to work all day on the this album

@scrimbloofficial1443

Your mom

More Comments

More Versions