Ceilings
beabadoobee Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Love me like a garden filled with flowers
Like the driest desert in the rain
Love me like cigarettes in Paris
Love me like a book that has no name

Let the birds sing
Let the fish swim
And appreciate the life you live

Miss me like the scent of your first room
The thing you've always wanted to go back to
Ceilings were so high when you were five
Miss me like the way your mother misses your height

Let the birds sing




Let the fish swim
And appreciate the life you live

Overall Meaning

In "Ceilings," Beabadoobee sings about the importance of love and appreciation. The titular image of ceilings represents a metaphorical frame through which we can understand the different aspects of that love, and how it changes over time. The first verse suggests a love that is vibrant and beautiful, like a garden “filled with flowers.” The next line contrasts with that image, describing a love that takes on a more melancholic and longing tone, with the singer wishing to be loved like the “driest desert in the rain,” a very contrasting image that suggests a desire to be loved despite difficulties, like love in tough moments. The third line brings up an image of cigarettes in Paris, which at first may sound negative but could be interpreted to mean the beauty of something unhealthily addictive in a picturesque setting.


The second verse continues with this theme of longing, asking the listener to “Miss [her] like the scent of your first room,” a feeling that is often associated with a yearning for simpler times. This is then followed by the line, "Ceilings were so high when you were five", an equally nostalgic image that showcases how the world can change and get bigger as we get older. The final line of the verse likens the love she's asking for to one that is maternal, with the singer suggesting that it should feel like the way your mother misses your height.


Overall, the song is a call for the listener to appreciate life while they have it, and to cherish their memories of love even as they evolve and change over time.


Line by Line Meaning

Love me like a garden filled with flowers
Love me deeply and passionately, like how a garden fully bloomed with colorful flowers exudes beauty and vibrancy.


Like the driest desert in the rain
Love me in a way that quenches my insatiable thirst for affection, like how the rain brings life to the parched and barren desert.


Love me like cigarettes in Paris
Love me in a way that is romantic and addictive, like how someone can fall in love with the idea of smoking cigarettes in the city of love.


Love me like a book that has no name
Love me in a way that is mysterious and intriguing, like how a book with no title or author leaves you curious and wanting to know more.


Let the birds sing
Allow yourself to appreciate the little things in life, like the sound of birds chirping and singing their sweet melodies.


Let the fish swim
Allow yourself to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like watching the graceful movements of fish in a tranquil aquarium.


And appreciate the life you live
Remember to appreciate all the good things in life, even during hard times, and to be thankful for the experiences that shape you into who you are.


Miss me like the scent of your first room
Remember me fondly, like how the scent of your childhood bedroom brings back nostalgic memories and fills you with warmth and comfort.


The thing you've always wanted to go back to
Hold onto the good memories we shared, like how you can always return to your happy place when life gets too overwhelming.


Ceilings were so high when you were five
Recall the innocent and carefree days of childhood, when even the simplest things like a high ceiling can evoke wonder and excitement.


Miss me like the way your mother misses your height
Think of me affectionately, like how a mother misses her child's younger years when they were small and innocent, but also happy and loved.


Let the birds sing
Allow yourself to appreciate the little things in life, like the sound of birds chirping and singing their sweet melodies.


Let the fish swim
Allow yourself to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like watching the graceful movements of fish in a tranquil aquarium.


And appreciate the life you live
Remember to appreciate all the good things in life, even during hard times, and to be thankful for the experiences that shape you into who you are.




Writer(s): beatrice laus

Contributed by Adam L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@yukko_13cx76

Love me like the garden filled flowers
Like the driest dessert in the rain
Love me like cigarettes in Paris
Love me like a book that has no name

Let the birds sing
Let the fish swim
And appreciate the life you live

Miss me like the scent of your first room
The thing you've always wanted to go back to
Ceilings were so high when you were five
Miss me like the way your mother misses your height

Let the birds sing
Let the fish swim
And appreciate the life you live



All comments from YouTube:

@parkerjeanlengle

“miss me like your mother misses your height” just made me cry like a baby

@jo-rf3lx

:(

@youngdc3685

what does that mean

@jo-rf3lx

@@youngdc3685 your mother misses your
hight when you were little .

@blackghosting

:(

@offlicense6097

@@youngdc3685 miss her the way your mum misses the memories of you as a child or as you were growing up, as u grow you become taller, sometimes your parents are like you used to be so small idk ig

1 More Replies...

@briannaflorento2609

“Ceilings”

This song is about appreciating everything around you, people, nature, your family. I wanted to remind people to never take things for granted. I guess it’s a reminder to always love. The chord progression is inspired by this artist I love called Angelo de Augustine.  The song was literally called ‘Peng Minor Chord’ because of that one sick chord I found. I also low key wanted it sound like it could be part of the Coralline soundtrack. I fucking love that movie. - bea

edit: thought id share what bea told billboard about this song. highlight recommend you guys check out the full article.

@nathm.4260

Can't find that "Peng Minor Chord" song by Angelo de Augustine. The beginning personnally reminded me of Entangled by Genesis.

@arturfrenger

I fking love that movie too

@undergroundskatemagazine

HEY DID YOU DO THE SAME THING IN SOREN?

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