In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light, which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on, across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of earth are ringing
Through my opened ears, inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
Million suns and calls me on and on across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru de va om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Images of broken light, which dance before me like a million eyes
They call me on and on, across the universe
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box
They tumble blindly as they make their way across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Sounds of laughter, shades of earth are ringing
Through my opened ears, inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which shines around me like a
Million suns and calls me on and on across the universe
Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Across the Universe Lyrics as written by Paul Mccartney John Lennon
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fiona's remake is so good. It flows like a river and makes me melt. As Ozzy says, hating the Beatles is like saying you hate air. But still ... Fiona steals the song.
This would be a great song to have sex to. (Where did THAT come from? :o)
Totally agree! I always felt the Beatles version was too fast. Fiona has just the right tempo.
Well when I hear Fionna sing this song I hear a tone of melancholy. And that is odd given the context of the original song. I believe that Fionna is saying How lovely this idea is how much I wish it was true and how sad that it isn't. The word are the same the meaning is completely diffrent and that is a sign of an excellent artist. I believe the reason so many of us believe this song is better is that it reflect the disillusion that came with the end of the 60's.
This is the best version ever!! I've always found the original to be a bit fast. But this version is soft and at the right tempo, Fiona's voice and the music is soothing.
OMG, i love this song so much...it makes me fly...its like one of those songs that just basically empowers me..makes me feel like i can do anything :D
This song was written for Fiona Apple. Only the Beatles could've written a song like this - BUT - Fiona apple's version is much better. It suits her slow deep dark moody voice and she got rid of the annoying noises the beatles had. She sounds all stoned and brooding. Defiant in a way.
I love the Beatles, but Fiona made this song into something much better. One day me and a friend were singing this song together, and after school that day, she was in a wreck and was killed. So everytime I hear this song I think if her and I cry, this song just means a lot to me.
I am not a Fiona Apple fan, and I always like the original version of a song better. HOWEVER, her version blows the Beatles' version away. This is such a soothing song to listen to her sing...when you listen to John Lennon sing it, it sounds like someone has been inhaling helium which grates on my nerves.
As far as the meaning of "Jai Guru Deva Om", I found the following on several websites: "All together it means, "I give thanks (victory) (salutation) to Guru Dev (or heavenly teacher), om"
I also found this: "Jai Guru Deva Om" refers to that inner, living God within every person. Jai = "Hail" or "Praise," Guru = "knowledge-giver" but in this frame of reference it means "the giver of the Ultimate Knowledge" (which is that realization of God), Deva = "God," and Om is a holy word because it symbolizes the first sound of the universe. This relates to the entire song Across the Universe because this song is about meditation - specifically the Hindu method of meditation upon the inner, living God (which is directly related to the art of yoga). "Across the Universe" refers to the universe of the inner being. Through their studies during their sojourn in India, the Beatles deeply assimilated the spiritual philosophies that have been the essence of Indian culture for 5000 years. This assimilation is reflected in their song."
The latter seems to do a good job of explaining the song's meaning.
Chelsea, that is sooooo sad about your friend, but it is very touching and I'm glad this song has such a special meaning for you to remember and honor your friend.
I love this song AND get this it is also on the Pleasantville soundtrack,it is also on the dvd of Pleasantville in fact there is a video on this song BY Fiona Apple.I love this song.It means to me that nothing can change my life and other personal things (there are not sick.....) like memories and stuff......
amazing cover
Incredible cover...just a tad above Rufus Wainwright's cover...which is saying A LOT.