Mr. Write's Page

Being a wordsmith, I sometimes go to great lengths to research and puzzle out the meaning of the lyrics of a song. But not always.

In the case of “Pure,” a 1989 tune by the British band The Lightning Seeds, I gave up pretty quickly. It was hopeless; the songwriter describes it as “a psychedelic, hazy song” whose message is “These moments can’t last.” His songs, he added, tend to blur melancholy and euphoria.

Wow. I was hoping it was just a gentle, poetic love song.

Fortunately, “Pure” is a great tune in other respects. The keyboard riff, the rhythm, and the delivery are all very soothing and appealing.

And I can interpret it as a gentle and poetic love song if I want to.

Pure

By The Lightning Seeds, 1989
Written by Ian Broudie

Night time slows, raindrops splash rainbows.
Perhaps someone you know could sparkle and shine.
As daydreams slide to color from shadow,
Picture the moonglow that dazzles my eyes.
And I love you.

Just lying smiling in the dark,
Shooting stars around your heart,
Dreams come bouncing in your head,
Pure and simple every time.

Now you’re crying in your sleep.
I wish you’d never learned to weep.
Don’t sell the dreams you should be keeping
Pure and simple every time.

Dreams of sights, of sleigh rides in seasons
Where feelings, not reasons, can make you decide.
As leaves pour down, splash autumn on gardens.
As colder nights harden, their moonlight delights.
And I love you.

Just lying smiling in the dark,
Shooting stars around your heart,
Dreams come bouncing in your head,
Pure and simple every time.

Now you’re crying in your sleep.
I wish you’d never learned to weep.
Don’t sell the dreams you should be keeping
Pure and simple every time.

Look at me with starry eyes.
Push me up to starry skies.
There’s stardust in my head,
Pure and simple every time.

Fresh and deep as oceans new
Shiver at the sight of you,
I’ll sing a softer tune,
Pure and simple over you.

If love’s the truth, then look no lies,
And let me swim around your eyes.
I’ve found a place I’ll never leave.
Shut my mouth and just believe.
Love is the truth I realize,
Not a stream of pretty lies
To use us up and waste our time.

Lying smiling in the dark,
Shooting stars around your heart,
Dreams come bouncing in your head,
Pure and simple every time.

Now you’re crying in your sleep.
I wish you’d never learned to weep.
Don’t sell the dreams you should be keeping
Pure and simple every time.

Look at me with starry eyes.
Push me up to starry skies.
There’s stardust in my head,
Pure and simple every time.

Fresh and deep as oceans new
Shiver at the sight of you,
I’ll sing a softer tune,
Pure and simple over you.
Pure and simple just for you.