IFLTS: 'Shine,' David Gray

I think it is more that the couple have been through so much together that the love (the fire, spark and passion that begins a relationship) has changed (they are older, wiser, grown and mature) and together, when they leave this place, they will go again to a place where they shine. To me,it is more about the journey of life and love from inception to the beyond. It's a beautiful song and conveys more than just the past, present or future, it is the entire journey to me. Then again, I have been in love with the same man for 28 years, we have shared 5 children, buried one and there are times he still gives me butterflies when he winks at me. That kind of love is in this world and I know how lucky I am.

I think you are both kind of right. I think hey are a couple who are in a rut, their situation isnt working and they are breaking up. But as they walk he says lets just get out of here. Kind of a re-kindled love affair I think

Found this in another comment...makes the most sense to me

'Go where you can shine' is meant in the sense of needing to leave each other to fulfil your potential. It's a positive and sad song all at once. A resigned song.

I happen to love this song... and wifey is right "we are going to rise from these ashes like a bird of flame... take my hand we are going to go where we can shine." He is referring to a pheonix of rebirth - together. "It don't come down to anything but love in the end". She keeps trying to leave but he refuses to believe it is over.

I have to agree with your husband, as well...to an extent. I think that the lyrics that you speak of concerning "we" are really the songwriter's wishful thinking. He knows its all but over, but he yearns to get back the past euphoric feelings that he felt when the couple first fell in love. As a married man of 19 years, I sometimes wish that I could relive the adrenalin "highs" of those earlier days. But comfortable and settled has its advantages too.

I think it is great when someone can write lyrics that really makes you think about the meaning of the song. So many of the songs we hear now days we listen to without giving a thought to what the writer was trying to convey or if they were even trying to convey anything besides getting it played on the radio. In this case I think both are good interpretations and can both be defended.

I think the singer realizes that the two of them are stuck in a rut, that they still love each other intensely, and that they are moving on together, to find adventure and get some of that spark back. It sounds very much like he's singing about a couple that's been together for years and they seek a change, together.

David's lyrics are so bitter sweet...the song is definitely not black and white, but certainly sounds like a "goodbye" song.

'm going to have to agree with your husband on this one.