Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” Lyrics Meaning

To begin with, Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” has a romantic undertone. This aspect is made most evident in the chorus where the singer appears to be addressing his significant other whom he is on the verge of parting ways with. And in that regard, the ‘somewhere only they know’, if interpreted by the listener as a physical location, would obviously be a place where they shared happy memories in the past. And as such, the implication would logically be akin to the narrator deeming that he and his partner visiting this locality could perhaps save their relationship, being that he is humbly entreating her to visit there with him.

But other parts of the song outside of the outro and actual chorus are, lyrically speaking, a lot more general. Indeed the writers themselves, when asked what this track actually means, rendered explanations that have nothing to do with romance. Or stated differently, all things considered, the titular “somewhere” is more of a symbolic location than a literal one. That is to say that whereas it may be an actual place, where it is situated or its physical makeup are not what’s important to the narrator. Rather it is what this place represents to him emotionally and psychologically which is causing him to drop a song about it. 

And as illustrated in the pre-chorus, it epitomizes an era in times past where life was ‘simpler’ than it has now become as he has ‘gotten old’. So there is definitely a nostalgic feel to the tune. Moreover as revealed in the title, this is a place that only he and the addressee ‘knows’. So the implication would be that “somewhere” is just as important nostalgically to the addressee as it is to the singer.

Conclusion

So conclusively, whereas the members of the band may have personally connected this song to childhood memories, they have also stated that its lyrics “may be universal”. Simply put, they feel it is open to interpretation.  More specifically, as mentioned earlier, “somewhere” is not a place per se.  Rather it is more akin to a pleasant memory shared between the singer and the addressee. And by reminiscing on it, the singer is able to transport his mind – and ideally the addressee’s also – back to a time where not only his personal happiness but also the relationship between them was obviously in a better state than it is in now.

Release Date of “Somewhere Only We Know”

Island Records released this song on 14 February 2004 as the lead single from Keane’s maiden album, “Hopes and Fears”.

Writing Credits

“Somewhere Only We Know” was written by Keane bandmates Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes and Tom Chaplin. And the entire band is credited with producing the tune alongside Andy Greens and James Sanger.

Performance on the Global Charts

“Somewhere Only We Know” peaked at number three in Keane’s homeland, on the UK Singles Chart.

It also charted in dozen other countries, making it one of the group’s biggest hits.  Moreover the track has been certified double-Platinum in the United States and platinum in the UK.Lily Allen covered this song, to considerable success, in 2013.

Official Music Videos for “Somewhere Only We Know”

There are three official music videos to this song. Two of them had Corin Hardy as its director.  And the third was directed by a group known as The Saline Project.