Bruises by Lewis Capaldi Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Depths of Heartache and Recovery

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Lewis Capaldi's Bruises at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Counting days, counting days
Since my love up and got lost on me
And every breath that I’ve been takin’
Since you left feels like a waste on me
I’ve been holding onto hope
That you’ll come back when you can find some peace
‘Cause every word that I’ve heard spoken
Since you left feels like a hollow street

I’ve been told, I’ve been told to get you off my mind
But I hope I never lose the bruises that you left behind
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, I need you by my side

There must be somethin’ in the water
‘Cause every day, it’s gettin’ colder
And if only I could hold you
You’d keep my head from goin’ under

Maybe I, maybe I’m just being blinded
By the brighter side
Of what we had because it’s over
Well, there must be somethin’ in the tide

I’ve been told, I’ve been told to get you off my mind
But I hope I never lose the bruises that you left behind
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, I need you by my side

There must be somethin’ in the water
‘Cause every day, it’s gettin’ colder
And if only I could hold you
You’d keep my head from goin’ under

Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh

It’s your love I’m lost in
Your love I’m lost in
Your love I’m lost in
And I’m tired of bein’ so exhausted
Your love I’m lost in
Your love I’m lost in
Your love I’m lost in
Even though I’m nothin’ to you now
Even though I’m nothin’ to you now

There must be somethin’ in the water
‘Cause every day, it’s gettin’ colder
And if only I could hold you
You’d keep my head from goin’ under
There must be somethin’ in the water
‘Cause every day, it’s gettin’ colder
And if only I could hold you
You’d keep my head from goin’ under

In the fabric of modern balladry, Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Bruises’ stands as a poignant testament to the trials of love and loss. The Scottish troubadour, with his gravelly voice and starkly emotive lyrics, invites listeners into a world where heartbreak refuses to fade quietly into the rearview. ‘Bruises’ paints a visceral picture of clinging to the remnants of a once fiery romance, finding beauty in the pain it leaves behind.

This deep-dive into the lyrics of ‘Bruises’ traverses the contours of a wounded heart yearning for closure. The song’s raw energy and unfettered honesty have struck a chord with audiences worldwide, resonating with anyone who has ever navigated the tumultuous waters of a love lost. Capaldi’s powerful ballad has become an anthem of resilience in the face of emotional adversity, but there’s more to this melancholic masterpiece than initially meets the ear.

The Perpetual Chill of Absence – Unpackaging Capaldi’s Watery Metaphor

Lewis Capaldi has a peculiar fascination with aquatic metaphors, and ‘Bruises’ submerges listeners in the notion that there ‘must be somethin’ in the water.’ water, traditionally a symbol of life and purity, ironically carries a frigid bite within his verses. It reflects the inexorable daily chill Capaldi experiences now that the warmth of his love is gone. The repeated references to coldness underscore the loneliness and desolation that accompany the loss of a significant relationship.

It’s as if the artist is suggesting that a force as natural and encompassing as the ocean tide is at play in his emotional state—it’s relentless, it’s overpowering, and it’s beyond his control. These lyrics might covertly hint at depression’s grip, a common aftermath of heartbreak, where the sufferer feels engulfed by a seemingly inexplicable sadness, as if something as necessary as water has turned against them.

Maintaining the Scars – The Hidden Meaning Behind Celebrating ‘Bruises’

Bruises are typically associated with pain, a blemish on the body that signifies harm. Capaldi’s intention to ‘never lose the bruises’ might initially perplex the casual listener—why would one want to preserve the marks of hurt? Yet, this powerful imagery serves as an emblem of survival, a personification of the idea that our experiences, especially the painful ones, shape who we are.

The song’s hidden meaning lies in the recognition and acceptance of emotional scars. By cherishing these ‘bruises,’ Capaldi is announcing his unwillingness to forget—to forget the love that was once alive, and the growth that comes with its demise. His plea reflects a deep human impulse to hold on to what memory is left of love, preserving it within, despite the agony it might continue to inflict.

Oh My Lord, I Need You By My Side – The Yearning for Lost Companionship

Amid the quiet despair Capaldi lays bare, the line ‘Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, I need you by my side’ stands as a fervent cry for the return of the departed. It hits with the kind of universal pain anyone who’s ever pined for a lost lover can see painted on their own memories—a gut-level call for something or someone to keep them afloat when they are feeling utterly subsumed.

It’s this hair-raising line that tugs at the heartstrings, creating a moment of solidarity among the brokenhearted. Capaldi’s invocation of ‘Lord’ can be seen as a stand-in for what is sacred in one’s life, be that divinity or a divine-esque love. The words sing of desperation but also an indelible bond that challenges the grievous silence left by a loved one’s absence.

A Tidal Force of Nostalgia – Misled by A Bygone Brighter Side

There’s a deceptive brilliance in nostalgia, shaping our past relationships into faultless relics we long to return to. Capaldi touches upon this with ‘Maybe I, maybe I’m just being blinded by the brighter side of what we had because it’s over.’ It’s an acute awareness of his own rose-tinted retrospection, acknowledging the danger in idealizing the past.

This recognition does not cheapen memories but rather gives proof to the complex nature of reminiscence. It is a bittersweet acknowledgment—while cherishing those ‘brighter’ moments, there’s an understanding that pining over what’s lost does not fully honor the entirety of the lived experience. In all love lost, there is a measure of light and dark.

The Anthem of Fractured Beings – Even Though I’m Nothin’ To You Now

There’s a poignant moment of surrender within the lyrics, ‘Even though I’m nothin’ to you now.’ It’s a quiet acquiescence to the reality of love’s fallout, where the once inseparable becomes estranged. Capaldi’s words are at once a lament and a cathartic release, portending the first steps towards healing.

This line encapsulates the mission statement of ‘Bruises’: the process of moving on, not by forceful eradication of past affections, but through the embrace of love’s lasting impact on the soul. It’s in this juxtaposition of holding on and letting go that listeners can find their truth nestled within the strains of Capaldi’s haunting vocals. ‘Bruises’ stands as an arresting soliloquy to the resilience of the human heart, throbbing with the promise that even in our most fragmented state, we persist.