Belle & Sebastian – Wrapped Up in Books

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It was pretty bright up on the rainbow bridge tonight
I could see into your window although you’re far away
You were racing in a car
Beside a boy, you just don’t know
If he is up for what you have in mind
If he is up for what you have in mind

Change is on the cards, but this time it will be hard
I never want to leave you, we’ve never had a fight
You should never split a pole
You should never split at all
I wish I had two paths I could follow
I’d write the ending without any sorrow

I will say a prayer, just while you are sitting there
And I will wrap my hands around you
I know it will be fine
We've got a fantasy affair
We didn’t get wet, we didn’t dare

Our aspirations are wrapped up in books
Our inclinations are hidden in looks

Summer’s hastening on
I’m trying to get a feeling from
The city, but I’ve been unfaithful
I’ve been travelling abroad
We’ve got a fantasy affair
We didn’t get wet, we didn’t dare
But the fantasy remains
You'd better come back to earth again

Our aspirations are wrapped up in books
Our inclinations, hidden in looks

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Lyrics submitted by ReActor, edited by embassyrow

Track duration: 03:34


Wrapped Up in Books song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:Missing a few lyrics - The version I have adds to the last stanza and says, "But the fantasy still remains, you better come back to Earth." At least I believe those to be the correct lyrics.
    Flag asSTARSfallxon June 10, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i always interpreted the line "we had a fantasy affair, we didn't get wet, we didn't dare" as being very sexual rather than metaphorical for taking a plunge.
    like having a sexual fantasy but still not daring to actually consummate it cause they're too shy.
    Flag johnathonfiskon March 11, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The beginning reminds me of the game Mario kart
    Flagged mollyphillips69on February 05, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Memory:This song kind of reminds me of my going off to college to leave my then-boyfriend. There was to be a change in the cards (us living very far away from each other) and even though we got along perfectly well, breaking up was the right thing to do because our aspirations were "wrapped up in books", and even though we never fought we knew in the backs of our minds that it was the smart thing to do.
    Flag haphaphappyon November 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation:This song has been quite poignant for me of late. My girlfriend and I are looking at a 6 month separation by 1500 miles, and there are no two paths that we can follow; there is only one option. We truly never fight and we are really happy together, but our ambition is wrapped up in books (study abroad). This song gives me such great hope, the line "I've been unfaithful, I've been traveling abroad" (or is it a broad, ha ha) is along the lines of something I would deliver upon a return from a trip or other absence.

    Such a great song, upbeat and catchy, amazing development and harmony in the final two verses, and as always, witty lyrics with actual meaning.
    Flag SecondDegreeFreshon December 18, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is definitely catchy! and revolves around two individuals unwilling to take their lives into their own hands. reminds you of a lot of introspective, shy and unrisky people doesn't it.

    "we didn't get wet, we didn't dare" ---> can anyone explain this line?
    Flag seamoraineon September 16, 2008   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:I think that the relationship is him and the city. He has never had a fight with the city i.e. it's always been good to him, but it's just time to try to leave. He never really embraced the town and perhaps now he is leaving to go tour and just missed this opportunity to run with it.
    Flag kaitlingraceon July 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:they both have these plans/goals they want to achieve but they don't, maybe because they're shy. but they both know what the each other wants = "our inclinations hidden in looks"
    Flag elementarypenguinon January 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:nice song! I love the part when Stuart's voice changes a bit when he sings "... hidden in looks". Like he has this mischievous look on his face. Hmmm... remind me: "there must be a reason for all the looks we gave and all the things we never said before" Just how I understand it.
    Flag samanacayon November 06, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"I’m trying to get a feeling from the city
    But I’ve been unfaithful
    I’ve been travelling abroad"

    Very clever/funny lyrics, I just noticed.

    Sounds like a song about a couple of very shy people who don't have the courage to follow through on their desires.
    Flag caitsith01on June 12, 2005   Link

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