What does The Sound of Winter mean?

Bush: The Sound of Winter Meaning

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Album cover for The Sound of Winter album cover

Song Released: 2011


The Sound of Winter Lyrics

Mind strong, Body strong
Try to find equilibrium
Head straight, screwed on
Been screwed up for too long

I don't want to lean on the waves
I watch the storm evaporate
I think of you in starry skies
I keep you so alive

Let's walk...

  1. 1TOP RATED

    #1 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
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    Nov 2nd 2011 !⃝

    I think this song is talking about a very special woman who is borderline suicidal.

    I think he is telling her that he knows she is a strong person, both in body and spirit(mind strong, body strong). He says he knows she has common sense (head straight, screwed on) and says that she has been in a bad state of mind for far too long.

    To him, she is beautiful and stops him in his tracks (medusa smiles), but her kiss betrays her weakness (judas lips). He is telling her to stop being so guarded around him (open arms and finger tips). He is telling her that love gives out what is due (Love bites and recompense) and that he will not leave her(ill be with you until the end). He wants to help her through a difficult situation (the fire) and stay with her through time (golden sands [of time]).

    Throughout the song, he tells her to "hang on to yourself", which I interpret as "dont give up."

  2. 2TOP RATED

    #2 top rated interpretation:
    anonymous
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    Mar 21st 2012 !⃝

    I had written a longer explanation and then lost it. So, I'll stay brief. This song isn't about some meaningless romantic relationship. It is about passing through life with all of its trials, tribulations, lies (judas lips) etc. and maintaining one's own mental and physical strength (mind strong, body strong) through staying true to one's self (you've got to hang on to yourself) and through meditation (the silent escape, the sound of winter). It only appears as though he is talking about a relationship with someone on the surface. But, in fact, upon looking deeper, it is clear that he is talking about his own relationship with his true and eternal self ("I think of you in starry skies, I keep you so alive"). Zen Buddhism and similar principles are a common occurence in Gavin's writing (see e.g. Everything Zen). He is not waisting his breath on songs about romance or other earthly pursuits. Interpreting these lyrics requires more understanding than the latest episode of E.

  3. anonymous
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    Jun 25th 2015 !⃝

    My interpretation of the song is that it's about a person who's partner is depressed or has some other mental illness, and is maybe suicidal. I won't go into line per line detail of how I came to this conclusion. Basically the healthy partner is telling the depressed partner we will go through this together. And "I keep you so alive" in my opinion, refers to the "you" that he/she knows to be healthy and loves.

  4. anonymous
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    Jul 21st 2012 !⃝

    I think he's talking about a summer romance. There's a post about it being a "zen"-type song and I strongly agree - except that it's about the concept of a "summer romance"

    "Let's walk through the fire together, disappear in the golden sands - its all in your face, I see you break - its like the sound of winter"

    Anyone who's ever had a whirlwind summer romance has either seen that or been that near the end...when someone lets go and falls of the "merry-go-round".

    "The bleeding love, the silent escape, you've got to hang on to yourself - it's like the sound of winter"

    Seems like he's the one who's still in love, and even though he sees the cracks in the facade he goes along with it. The silent escape from being alone.
    And from an outside perspective, seeing the entirety of that kind of relationship, you DO have to stay strong and hold onto yourself.
    Winter is cold, hence why the breakup right before hand is like the sound of winter coming.

    IMO

  5. justsmee
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    Jul 15th 2012 !⃝

    Its about a person who has left the comfort of 'home' behind to please others in his life that would be otherwise unfulfilled in their eyes..the video helps clue some key meanings by h.im walking by the ocean while singing of winter...he has left the cold behind and is in 'paradise' all the while thinking of home and the life he used to have..reminiscent of the love he left for grandeur possibilities with 'the one' All while telling himself to remember why and for whom he is doing this for, keep your thoughts to yourself and it will all be back to normal soon, don't lose yourself in something that isn't there..

  6. anonymous
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    Jan 10th 2012 !⃝

    i think gavin has to answer this..who is he cheating on gwen with? or is she a wreck and thats why no doubt hasnt been around

    so it has to be about gwen..chicks blonde in video..cant see face..gwen would want goodmoney to be in video

  7. anonymous
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    Oct 17th 2011 !⃝

    I think its about a girl hanging herself.

  8. Raven Black
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    Oct 1st 2011 !⃝

    I think the talking about a woman's escape from reality with drugs. Her head's been "Been screwed up for too long," meaning she's so stressed- probably due to love because it says "Love bites and recompense" later on-so she has to have a means to recompense or to loosen up. "Open arms and finger tips" has got to be a reference to drugs that uses injections to get high...i don't know, just my honest opinion.


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