Now, now, before the war breaks out, let me explain why I feel this way:
Like every other person who saw Breaking Dawn: Parts 1 and 2 in theaters, I adored "A Thousand Years," and the way it was used to wrap up the entire series. And for a long while, it was a huge song for Perri. (It landed her at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.)
"A Thousand Years" may have brought Christina Perri to her peak on the charts, but artistically, I don't know if she can get much better than "The Words"...but I can't wait to see how she'll try top this. (FYI, I also LOVE "Arms," and "Human," but not as much as "The Words.")
As with most of Perri's music, the background instruments are simple: piano, some string instruments such as violins, etc. No harsh metallic instruments or computerized/electronic anything. Just simple, beautiful, natural sounds. Her voice and emotion does the rest.
I've always thought she had a voice like Norah Jones - bluesy-er, but in a sweet way.
The biggest difference between this song and other Perri songs is that there is this huge climax. Where others just have a bit more emotion at a certain point, this one is not like that. She pours her heart into that final chorus and you can hear her pleading with this man to just tell her how he feels, just "let the words slip out of your mouth."
But what's interesting with the music here is that to create such a huge effect, she utilizes silence. And silence is a musician's best friend - and worst enemy.
The lyrics, the actual words, are so raw and real. They're overwhelming in their simplicity. The ease in the way they flow together and flow out of her mouth, it's just amazing.
The first verse makes it seem that this is an unrequited love:
"All of the lights land on you, The rest of the world fades from view, And all of the love I see, Please, please say you feel it, too."
But then again, it could be that this is all a dream (which might make a bit more sense when you see the music video).
Then the second verse is almost saying he's the calm to her storm:
"And all of the noise I hear inside, Restless and loud, unspoken and wild, And all that you need to say, To make it all go away, Is that you feel the same way, too."
I won't walk you through the entire song because I want some of it to really hit you while you hear it, but I do have to say that the writing of the chorus is purely genius.
But don't take my word for it; listen to it. Please. For the love of all that is good and holy.
(The video, of course, is a whole other thing, but I fell in love with the song when i saw the video, which was the first time I'd heard it. It stars Colin O'Donoghue (Once Upon A Time) and Perri. And it's eye-opening, so don't forget to check it out, too.)
All of the lights land on you.
The rest of the world fades from view,
And all of the love I see,
Please, please say you feel it, too.
And all of the noise I hear inside,
Restless and loud, unspoken and wild,
And all that you need to say,
To make it all go away,
Is that you feel the same way, too.
And I know,
The scariest part is letting go,
'Cause love is a ghost you can't control,
I promise you the truth can't hurt us now,
So let the words slip out of your mouth.
And all of the steps that led me to you,
And all of the hell I had to walk through,
But I wouldn't trade a day for the chance to say,
My love, I'm in love with you.
And I know,
The scariest part is letting go,
'Cause love is a ghost you can't control,
I promise you the truth can't hurt us now,
So let the words slip out of your mouth.
I know that we're both afraid,
We both made the same mistakes
An open heart is an open wound to you,
And in the wind there's a heavy choice,
Love has a quiet voice,
Still your mind, now I'm yours to choose
And I know,
The scariest part is letting go,
Let my love be the light that guides you home.
The scariest part is letting go,
'Cause love is a ghost you can't control,
I promise you the truth can't hurt us now,
So let the words slip out of your mouth.
