A Letter to Elise
A Letter to Elise

The Cure - A Letter to Elise Lyrics

In this heartfelt anthem by The Cure, the lyrics delve into the emotional complexities of a deteriorating relationship. The singer reflects on their inability to maintain their connection with Elise and the painful realization that their efforts are in vain.… Read more

Pop
Apr 7, 1992
901
A Letter to Elise Music Video

A Letter to Elise Lyrics

Oh, Elise, it doesn't matter what you say
I just can't stay here every yesterday
Like keep on acting out the same
The way we act out
Every way to smile, forget
And make-believe we never needed
Any more than this
Any more than this

Oh, Elise, it doesn't matter what you do
I know I'll never really get inside of you
To make your eyes catch fire
The way they should
The way the blue could pull me in
If they only would, if they only would
At least I'd lose this sense of sensing
Something else that hides away
From me and you, they're worlds to part
With aching looks and breaking hearts
And all the prayers your hands can make
Oh, I just take as much as you can throw
And then throw it all away
Oh, I throw it all away
Like throwing faces at the sky
Like throwing arms 'round yesterday
I stood and stared
Wide-eyed in front of you
And the face I saw looked back the way I wanted to
But I just can't hold my tears away the way you do
Elise, believe I never wanted this
I thought this time I'd keep all of my promises
I thought you were the girl I always dreamed about
But I let the dream go
And the promises broke and make-believe ran out

So, Elise, it doesn't matter what you say
I just can't stay here every yesterday
Like keep on acting out the same
The way we act out
Every way to smile, forget
And make-believe we never needed
Any more than this
Any more than this

And every time I try to pick it up
Like falling sand
As fast as I pick it up
It runs away through my clutching hands
But there's nothing else I can really do
There's nothing else I can really do
There's nothing else I can really do
At all

Writer(s): Robert James Smith, Porl Thompson, Boris Williams, Perry Bamonte, Simon Johnathon Gallup
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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What is the Meaning of A Letter to Elise?

In this heartfelt anthem by The Cure, the lyrics delve into the emotional complexities of a deteriorating relationship. The singer reflects on their inability to maintain their connection with Elise and the painful realization that their efforts are in vain. Despite moments of deep affection and yearning, they come to terms with the inevitability of separation, symbolized by the imagery of promises breaking and dreams fading away. The recurring sense of futility and loss is poignantly captured through metaphors like "falling sand" slipping through hands. This song encapsulates the essence of unfulfilled love and the sorrow of unmet expectations. #Heartbreak #UnfulfilledLove #EmotionalStruggle

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who inspired the lyrics of 'A Letter to Elise'?

    Robert Smith was inspired by the Jean Cocteau novel 'The Holy Terrors' and the David Bowie song 'A Letter to Hermione.' Another influence was 'Letters to Felice' by Kafka, contributing to the song's theme of resignation and inevitable change.

  2. What chart success did 'A Letter to Elise' achieve?

    'A Letter to Elise' peaked at #2 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the United States. It was the third single released from The Cure's album 'Wish,' which remains the band's highest-charting album in both the US (#2) and UK (#1).

  3. When was 'A Letter to Elise' first performed publicly?

    'A Letter to Elise' was made public for the first time during MTV's Cure-'Unplugged' show in 1991. The lyrics performed at this initial show were different from those that appeared on the final single release.

  4. Has 'A Letter to Elise' been covered by other artists?

    Yes, 'A Letter to Elise' has been covered by several artists. Aaron Sprinkle included a cover on his 'Really Something EP.' Additionally, Blink-182 covered the song for the 2004 MTV Icon show dedicated to The Cure, and Sense Field covered it for their 2003 album 'Living Outside.'

  5. Did 'The Big Hand' ever become an A-side single?

    No, 'The Big Hand' was planned to be released as an A-side single in early 1993, but the idea was scrapped. The song became a B-side due to Boris Williams' preference, yet it is one of the few B-sides of The Cure that was played live.

  6. How does Robert Smith describe the song 'A Letter to Elise'?

    Robert Smith described 'A Letter to Elise' as a 'stream of consciousness' piece with many personal references, focusing on the theme of resignation in the face of inevitable change. It conveys a sense of melancholy regarding the ending of a relationship and unfulfilled promises.

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