“In the Meantime” is the debut single by the English alternative rock band Spacehog, featured on their first album, Resident Alien, released in 1995.
The song quickly gained popularity, reaching the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and achieving significant success in various countries.
Its infectious melody and uplifting lyrics have made it a staple of 90s rock music.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“In the Meantime” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
And in the end, we shall achieve in time
The thing they call divine
When all the stars will smile for me
When all is well, and well is all for all, and forever after
Well, maybe in the meantime, wait and see
The opening lines suggest that one day, humanity will achieve a divine state of being, where “all the stars will smile” and “all is well for all, forever after.”
However, the verse concludes by acknowledging that for now, we must “wait and see” as we progress towards this ideal future.
[Chorus]
(Ooh) We love the all, the all of you
Where lands are green, and skies are blue
When all in all, we’re just like you
We love the all of you
The chorus expresses a universal love for all people, regardless of where they come from or what they look like. The lyrics emphasize that despite differences, “we’re just like you” and that the band loves “the all of you.”
[Verse 2]
And when I cry for me, I cry for you
With tears of holy joy
For all the days you’ve still to come
And did I ever say I’d never play, or fly toward the sun
Maybe in the meantime, something’s wrong
This verse touches on empathy and compassion. The singer cries tears of joy for the bright future that lies ahead for humanity.
He acknowledges past mistakes (“did I ever say I’d never play”), but looks forward with optimism, even if “in the meantime, something’s wrong.”
[Bridge]
That sounds fine, so I’ll see you sometime
Give my love to the future of the humankind
Okay, okay, it’s not okay (Ooh)
While it’s on my mind, there’s a girl that fits the crime
For a future love dream that I’m still to find
But in the meantime
The bridge features a message of patience and hope for the future of humankind. The singer is willing to wait and see the progress unfold.
He also mentions a “future love dream” he has yet to find, but again, he acknowledges that it will come “in the meantime.”
[Outro]
Love the all, the all of you
Lands are green, and skies are blue
Just like you, just like you, just like, just like, just like you
Just like you, just like you, just like, just like, just like you
The song closes with a repetition of the chorus’ message of universal love and unity. The lyrics emphasize that despite differences, all people are “just like you” and that the band loves “the all of you.”
Deeper Meaning Behind “In the Meantime”
Spacehog’s “In the Meantime” is a song rich in themes of unity, self-acceptance, and the quest for a brighter future.
The song begins with an ethereal introduction that sets a hopeful tone. It explores the idea of striving for greatness and the divine, suggesting that patience is necessary as one awaits their achievements.
The chorus reinforces a desire for a world united in love, where differences are celebrated, encapsulated in lines like “we love the all, the all of you” and imagery of “lands are green and skies are blue”.
In the second verse, the narrator expresses both personal and collective emotions, shedding tears of joy for a hopeful future while acknowledging current struggles.
The bridge introduces optimism, hinting at the possibility of love and change, while the final chorus reiterates the themes of unity and acceptance.
Royston Langdon, the band’s lead singer, described the song as a metaphorical exploration of the search for connection and self-acceptance. He noted that it reflects a personal journey through anxieties and the fear of isolation, ultimately conveying that whatever one needs to do to cope is acceptable.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.