Colin Hay – Overkill

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I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know will be alright
Perhaps it's just imagination

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away

Alone between the sheets
Only brings exasperation
It's time to walk the streets
Smell the desperation

At least there's pretty lights
And though there's little variation
It nullifies the night from overkill

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Come back another day

I can't get to sleep
I think about the implications
Of diving in too deep
And possibly the complications

Especially at night
I worry over situations
I know will be alright
It's just overkill

Day after day it reappears
Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away
Ghosts appear and fade away

Send "Overkill" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry

Track duration: 02:54

"Overkill [Acoustic Version]" as written by Colin James Hay

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Overkill song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about a man who has intense anxiety hence "when my heartbeat shows the fear" and he's worrying at night about situations, perhaps he's thinking too much into it? He's obviously also scared about something within relationships, which could be from something in the distant past as he sings about ghosts and their gradule dissapearane and reapparance.
    Flag Hezzyon February 02, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song, the meaning is so simple and easy to understand, but the lyrics are so eloquent and almost everyone can relate to it.
    Flag nestle782on October 20, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think Overkill is about the after math of a break up or divorce.

    Alone between the sheets
    Only brings exasperation
    It's time to walk the streets
    Smell the desperation

    At least there's pretty lights
    And though there's little variation
    It nullifies the night from overkill

    If you've never gone for a walk in the middle of the night because you are too busy thinking to sleep, you've never had your heart broken.

    Ghosts appear and fade away

    The Ghosts might be the thoughts and plans, things you'd like to say if you ever get the chance, but I think the ghosts of Overkill are memories.

    Day after day it reappears
    Night after night my heartbeat shows the fear

    Fear of being alone I suspect, though exactly what reappears isn't clear (ghosts?, fear?, thoughts)

    I have no idea why the song is called overkill though... trying to hard maybe.
    Flag P to the Gon September 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It's about a sleepless night, thinking of past relationships.

    He goes for a walk outside, and while it's nothing special or new, it's just enough to distract him from over-reacting (overkill) to his situation.

    Thank you for this song, Colin!!
    Flag RagtimeBlueon July 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:such a calm way of representing the chaos that goes on in our thoughts; its interesting to wonder if others go through the same thing, every night, every day.. esp those that dont seem to show it; but i think overall everyones got a flurry of thoughts running through their mind; they just try not to show it..

    p.s. love scrubs =)
    Flag AlienC123on June 30, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:There is also a version of the Song played by Lazlo Bane, the band that made "Superman" the intro song of Scrubs.
    Flag Lord Protectoron January 04, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Wasn't Beautiful World on one of the Scrubs episodes?
    Flag magdalena1982on October 23, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song's amazing. The meaning is pretty straight forward.

    I was pretty disappointed cause i always thought it was "Goes to beer" and not "Ghost Appear".
    I think "Goes to beer" is a lot better! Adds more zest to the song, don't you think?
    I hope that that's what Collin intends cause that will make even more brilliant.
    Flag bleez01on May 18, 2008   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is the story of my life. I just overthink everything and let myself become too immersed in my own thoughts. At night I just lay in bed and think about everything and worry about things I know will be okay.
    Flag 9_worthy_wmgon February 10, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They should get Colin back onto Scrubs to do either Beautiful World or I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You. The latter could be used to represent JD's feelings towards Elliot. Beautiful World could be used at the end montage when JD sums everything up. I'd like to hear the song in the background and then the camera pans over Colin sitting on a bench as the suns setting or something.
    Flag RHCPFleaon January 07, 2008   Link

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