Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
Red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me.
Lets me see.
As below, so above and beyond, I imagine
Drawn beyond the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition, missing opportunities and I must
Feed my will to feel my moment drawing way outside the lines.

Black then white are all I see in my infancy.
Red and yellow then came to be, reaching out to me.
Lets me see there is so much more
And beckons me to look through to these infinite possibilities.
As below, so above and beyond, I imagine
Drawn outside the lines of reason.
Push the envelope. Watch it bend.

Over thinking, over analyzing separates the body from the mind.
Withering my intuition leaving all these opportunities behind.

Feed my will to feel this moment urging me to cross the line.
Reaching out to embrace the random.
Reaching out to embrace whatever may come.

Come embrace my desire to, come embrace my desire to,
Feel the rhythm, to feel connected
Enough to step aside and weep like a widow
To feel inspired, to fathom the power,
To witness the beauty, to bathe in the fountain,
To swing on the spiral, to swing on the spiral, swing on the spiral.
Of our divinity and still be a human.

With my feet upon the ground I lose myself
Between the sounds and open wide to suck it in,
I feel it move across my skin.
I'm reaching up and reaching out,
I'm reaching for the random or what ever will bewilder me.
And following our will and wind we may just go where no one's been.
We'll ride the spiral to the end and may just go where no one's been.

Spiral out. Keep going, going


Lyrics submitted by Everlong, edited by swiftau, ouzts12, GiselleFreude17

Lateralus song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

619 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +2
    General Comment

    God does not exist, at least not in any form that can be quantified. The fact that a large part of society still hasn't accepted this fact is the source of much conflict. How many modern wars do you know of that don't have religion or ideology at the heart of them? Anyway, the vices you list have always existed, even under the theocratic rule of the Church. Read your history. These things will always exist because we are animals at heart and have animal needs.

    Moreover, you misunderstand my point. I am not saying the song justifies an 'anything goes for everyone' society; I certainly don't. What the song is saying, I think (and I agree with this), is that everyone must find his own path to inner balance and enlightenment. There is no one-size-fits-all spirituality or morality, and the fact that we still have all these organized religions telling us we have to live such-and-such a way and tons of stupid laws against victimless crimes demonstrates that we ARE still being held back. Not everyone can use drugs without becoming addicted, but some people can and can find enlightenment that way. And too many people are still judgmental about alternative sexualities, lifestyles, etc. That social judgment and cultural disapproval does hold some people back, because believe it or not, not everyone is apathetic enough not to care what society thinks of them and thus sadly never reach their full potential.

    Perhaps I am speaking out of my "skinny arse" and perhaps not. This site solicits opinions about the meanings of song lyrics. I gave mine. That you replied so obnoxiously is precisely what I've come to expect from so-called religious people and merely reinforces my point about who is truly enlightened and who isn't.

    Starwatcher23on December 25, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.