Well, in my opinion this song is about being a young & maybe a little naive &/or introverted girl and finding yourself loving a man who is at first very charming, carefree & outgoing, and seems at first to be without limits, as in
"There was a time
you opened up every doorway
you didn't mind if everything
wasn't your way"
then that man starts to gradually become more introverted & shows their more possessive/obsessive side to you as the relationship progresses, even while they keep up the appearance of being carefree & outgoing to everyone else,
"Don't pull away
that goes against what you told me
I look in your eyes
I realize what you've sold me
is love in a vacuum"
so you confront them about the way they're acting and of course they deny it,
"I think you've changed
but you insist that
that's not true"
quite possibly they are an addict of some sort, my guess would be cocaine, &/or showing very obsessive behavior towards you (early on in the video for this song we see the man hanging a picture up, it is a very large portrait of Aimee & it is prominently displayed in his/their apartment for the duration of the song), thus their "love in a vacuum",
"You look so strange, so distant
that you're hardly you
Now I can see
how you have been acting different
You say it's me
but I know
that it isn't
it's love in a vacuum"
but still you are in love with them and don't want to leave them and you know that they are truly in love with you and they don't want you to leave them either, maybe they are convinced you can save them from themself, maybe they are so broken that the possibility of an overdose &/or suicide attempt is very real and you want to get through to them that their behavior not only dangerous but it is also just pissing you off and if they don't wise up they run the risk of loosing you, as in the lines
"You will be lonely
if you leave me alone", so you want to save them but can't get through to them due to the addiction &/or emotional problems they have,
"Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
love in a vacuum
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
You will be lonely
if you leave me alone
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough"
you want them to understand that the love they are giving you is not enough when it is filtered through the vacuum of their drug addiction &/or emotional impairment,
"You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough
and just wait
you will be lonely
Love in a vacuum
Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
Love in a vacuum".
'Love In A Vacuum' for me is a hauntingly truthful acute argument on the loneliness of obsession and almost inevitable loss of love that follows people who are broken in some way or another; the obsessives, the coke heads, the drunks, addicts or the just-plain-old emotionally broken; a razor sharp, lyrically driven, deceptively poppy, yet ultimately-depressing-in-the-best-way song.
Quintessential Aimee Mann.
It's always around me, all this noise
But not nearly as loud as the voice saying
"Let it happen, let it happen (it's gonna feel so good)
Just let it happen, let it happen"
All this running around
Trying to cover my shadow
A notion growing inside
Now all the others seem shallow
All this running around
Bearing down on my shoulders
I can hear an alarm
Must be morning
I heard about a whirlwind that's comin' 'round
It's gonna carry off all that isn't bound
And when it happens, when it happens (I won't be holdin' on)
So let it happen, let it happen
All this running around
I can't fight it much longer
Something's tryna get out
And it's never been closer
If my take-off fails
Make up some other story
But if I never come back
Tell my mother I'm sorry
I will not vanish and you will not scare me
Try to get through it, try to bounce to it
You were not thinkin' that I will not do it
They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid
Take the next ticket to take the next train
Why would I do it? And you wanna think that
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
Baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
But not nearly as loud as the voice saying
"Let it happen, let it happen (it's gonna feel so good)
Just let it happen, let it happen"
All this running around
Trying to cover my shadow
A notion growing inside
Now all the others seem shallow
All this running around
Bearing down on my shoulders
I can hear an alarm
Must be morning
I heard about a whirlwind that's comin' 'round
It's gonna carry off all that isn't bound
And when it happens, when it happens (I won't be holdin' on)
So let it happen, let it happen
All this running around
I can't fight it much longer
Something's tryna get out
And it's never been closer
If my take-off fails
Make up some other story
But if I never come back
Tell my mother I'm sorry
I will not vanish and you will not scare me
Try to get through it, try to bounce to it
You were not thinkin' that I will not do it
They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid
Take the next ticket to take the next train
Why would I do it? And you wanna think that
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
(Try to get through it, try to bounce to it)
(You were not thinkin' that I will not do it)
(They be lovin' someone and I'm not that stupid)
(Take the next ticket to take the next train)
(Why would I do it? And you wanna think that)
Baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, baby, now I'm ready, moving on
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Oh, I'm ready for the moment and the sound
Oh, but maybe I was ready all along
Lyrics submitted by 60_miles_an_hour, edited by FeLKoN, TylerButtpants
Let It Happen Lyrics as written by Kevin Richard Parker
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
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I can't help but feel this song is encouraging you to venture somewhere you have always been afraid to go. To just leave every preconceived idea at the door and act on pure emotion and feel. I can't think of a better message or beat to open a live set. God, Tame Impala Rocks.
@Alyosha19 I couldn't agree more. This sounds like a optimistic love song to me more than anything else. The whole death motif in the video is meant to represent death of the old self in order for the new to be born, rather than actual physical death.
@Alyosha19 oh my goodness this is another possibility to the song as well maybe it isn't about suicide. Maybe he's just leaving town and changing his name.
In the first stanza the "noise" I feel is a representation of one's deeper thoughts and goals. The voice saying 'Let it happen' is the pressure one feels by society to follow the rinse and repeat order. As they see everyone else carrying on their every day life as if it were meant to be.
In the second stanza the running around represents one's every day life work bills rent etc. The ocean growing inside is the angst building up to go and do something outside the societal norm that is set for them. The others seeming shallow is like questioning why don't others feel this way? And then the alarm and morning arriving is like running out of time to sit and dwell it is now time to act.
The third stanza is about giving into wanting to pursue some true meaning in life. And the whirlwind would be the friction caused by others criticizing one for going out of the normal societal pattern. I believe this has heavy relation with 'Currents' itself about the current within each one of us. Our 'angst' that still hasn't been settled.
The fourth stanza is finally going through with leaving and finding what it is one is looking for/what it is they need to feel complete. If one dies 'ticker fails' he doesn't want anyone knowing that he was defeated upon his journey. Also feeling some slight dismay about letting close people down such as one's mother. And if for whatever reason if you find a new life in a different 'place' and an apology in advance in case one doesn't return.
The fifth stanza is a little unclear but it sounds like one is at a crossroads with their lover because they want them to understand but doesn't want to get them caught up in it as well.
I made an account just to post about this song because it spoke to me so deeply. A lot of my opinions are based off the music video which in my opinion goes hand in hand with the lyrics. It's about a man who has been sucked into work and traveling and does not feel much purpose and he keeps dying/running out of time. It really made me think if I am spending my time wisely. As I feel it was intended to.
This is a light song about suicide
@Hellohello22 We're on the same page.
I think this song is about death. The only thing im not sure of is if they mean not to be scared of death in general your whole life or to, when the time comes, to just let it happen. When you die, instead of struggling and trying to hold on to your breath..just let it happen...
@Natashalikesmusic Yes this could be a possibility also. This lyric could apply<br /> <br /> "If my take off fails<br /> Make up some other story<br /> If I never come back<br /> tell my lover I'm sorry"<br /> <br /> Perhaps he is going to war or facing somewhere his life could be jeopardized, and if he doesn't make it out alive, "tell my mother and family I'm sorry I didn't make it"<br /> <br /> <br />
@Natashalikesmusic Yes this could be a possibility also. This lyric could apply<br /> <br /> "If my take off fails<br /> Make up some other story<br /> If I never come back<br /> tell my lover I'm sorry"<br /> <br /> Perhaps he is going to war or facing somewhere his life could be jeopardized, and if he doesn't make it out alive, "tell my mother and family I'm sorry I didn't make it"<br /> <br /> <br />
I listened to this song a lot when it first came out, I had a tumour at the time and I had to accept that my life was ending. At first I accepted it, and was ready to "let it happen"... people in the ward around me were dying and I had to plan for my funeral, etc. .and there were times when I would just pass out and they thought I was dead...but for me I had to muster up all the energy I could find to push through and survive. I wasn't ready to just let it happen. Happy to be alive today.
Last stanza, first line should be:
"Oh baby, now I'm ready, movin' on Oh maybe, I was ready all along"
I am pretty sure this song is about death and not fearing it when the time has come. Just listen to the words, music (and even the video). It all makes sense.
This could easily apply to taking a large dose of psychedelics and not knowing what kind of experience you’re going to have, but needing to let go in order to have a good trip. This song reminds me of my first time on DMT. Everyone told me I was going to love it, but I had massive amounts of anxiety over letting go and surrendering to the experience. In the end, there was nothing to be afraid of :)
@sagewisdom I see your point but this lyric stands out to me as obvious suicide: <br /> <br /> "All this running around<br /> I can't fight it much longer<br /> Something's trying to get out<br /> And it's never been closer"<br /> <br /> <br /> What would be trying to escape from him if he was doing psychedelic drugs? It is probably a dark song about suicide or overdose. <br /> <br /> The beauty of these lyrics is they are a little hard to understand. <br />
(I will not vanish and you will not scare me)
I keep thinking of that line over and over, it's fascinating and has a powerful and unconsciously meaning. Firstly, the music going with the words is such an orgasm, when kevin stars to sing i feel like i'm emerging with his words and stating it myself. Every single day in my life with every single obstacle i keep saying it, i cannot be vanished nor scared.
I know it maybe was only a gibberish, but that is how i perceved it.
I'm pretty sure he is saying "(I won't be holding on)" not "gonna" be holding on.