"Somewhere Only We Know" is a nostalgic pop song by the British band Keane. Nostalgia is a slightly sad, painful feeling when you want something from the past that can never come back.
Listen to the music video and answer the comprehension questions below the lyrics. If you'd like, leave your opinion of the song in the comment section below.
"Somewhere Only We Know" (2004) by Keane
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute, why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute, why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So, why don't we go?
So, why don't we go?
Ooh, oh-oh
Ah, oh
This could be the end of everything
So, why don't we go somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know
Somewhere only we know
Comprehension Questions:
1. The narrator in this song is in various kinds of places. What are some of these places? Are they indoor or outdoor places? Why do you think the songwriter chose these kinds of places as references?
2. What do you think is the significance of the fallen tree in the song? ("I came across a fallen tree, I felt the branches of it looking at me.")
3. In the line, "Oh simple thing, where have you gone?", what do you think the narrator is referring to?
4. Who do you think the narrator is talking to when he says, "And if you have a minute why don't we go / Somewhere only we know"'?
5. Why do you think it is important for the narrator to go "somewhere only we know"?
6. What is your opinion of this song? Did you like or dislike it?
Answers:
1. The narrator travels through an empty land, a pathway, and a river.
He chose outdoor places in nature because nature is good at showing the passage of time and the cycle of life and death. Imagine if the songwriter chose places inside a shopping mall instead. The song wouldn't work at all.
2. The fallen tree could possibly symbolize mortality. "I felt the branches of it looking at me" could mean that narrator is confronting the reality of death, or at least loss.
3. By "oh simple thing", the narrator could be referring to innocence and youth.
4. The narrator could be referring to a loved one who is no longer with him; either they died, or they separated. What do you think?
5. "Somewhere only we know" could mean a private place where they shared many good memories, and where the narrator wishes they could go back to again.
6. If you'd like, share your opinions or thoughts about this song in the comment section below.
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