In "Elysium," Simple Minds moves from emotional numbness toward a state of awe stirred by another presence. The early admission of feeling little pain gives way to kneeling and wondering, as vivid images arrive from somewhere far and reawaken dreaming, release tears, and ease fear. Elysium becomes a place above hidden skies, a mirror in another's eyes and a fountain that never runs dry, holding both the memory of those who disappear and the hope of living again. The song rests in that wondering, grateful and unguarded before whatever makes the heart stop and open.
Elysium Lyrics by Simple Minds
I don’t ever feel too much
No, I don’t ever feel much pain
My only desire makes me live again
I know that’s true,
I kneel in front of you,
‘Cause you make me stop and wonder
Images that tell me who you are,
Images you send from somewhere far,
Images that make me dream again,
Elysium, Elysium
Images that make me lose my fear,
Images that liberate the tears,
Images of those who disappear,
Elysium, Elysium
And I know that’s true,
I’m here in front of you,
‘Cause you make me stop and wonder
And if all that’s true,
There’s still a part of you,
‘Cause you make me stop and wonder
Every champion that’s in my heart,
There’s someone been with me from the start,
Will we ever get to live again,
Elysium, Elysium
There’s a mirror I see in your eyes,
There’s a fountain that never runs dry,
There’s a place above these hidden skies,
Elysium, Elysium
And if all that’s true,
I kneel in front of you,
You make me stop and wonder
Because you make me stop and wonder,
You make me stop and wonder,
‘cause you make me stop and wonder
