“Like a Tattoo” is a poignant and soulful song by Sade, featured on her 1992 album Love Deluxe. The song delves into themes of sorrow, disillusionment, and the lasting impact of traumatic experiences, particularly those related to war.
Inspired by a real-life encounter Sade had with a Vietnam War veteran in New York City, the song captures the deep emotional scars left by such experiences.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Like a Tattoo” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
He told me sweet lies of sweet loves
Heavy with the burden of the truth
And he spoke of his dreams
Broken by the burden
Broken by the burden of his youth
This verse introduces a man who shares his past with the narrator. He speaks of “sweet lies of sweet loves,” showing that his stories of love are tinged with falsehoods or idealizations. The “burden of the truth” suggests that beneath these sweet lies lies a heavy and painful reality.
His dreams have been shattered by the weight of his youthful experiences, hinting at a troubled past likely marred by war and violence.
[Verse 2]
“Fourteen years,” he said
“I couldn’t look into the sun
She saw him laying at the end of my gun”
Hungry for life
And thirsty for the distant river
Here, the man recounts a specific event from fourteen years ago that has haunted him ever since. “I couldn’t look into the sun” symbolizes his inability to face the brightness of life or the truth of his actions.
The line “She saw him laying at the end of my gun” reveals that he killed someone, and a significant woman (possibly the victim’s partner or daughter) witnessed it.
The phrases “hungry for life” and “thirsty for the distant river” express his deep yearning for redemption and peace, which seem out of reach.
[Verse 3]
I remember his hands
And the way the mountains looked
The light shot diamonds from his eyes
Hungry for life
And thirsty for the distant river
In this verse, the narrator recalls vivid details about the man and the setting. The imagery of “the way the mountains looked” and “light shot diamonds from his eyes” evokes a sense of beauty and clarity, contrasting with the man’s inner turmoil. The repetition of “hungry for life” and “thirsty for the distant river” reinforces his ongoing struggle for meaning and peace.
[Verse 4]
Like the scar of age
Written all over my face
The war is still raging inside of me
I still feel the chill
As I reveal my shame to you
This verse draws a parallel between physical scars and emotional wounds. The “scar of age” symbolizes the lasting impact of his experiences, visible in his demeanor.
Despite the passage of time, the “war is still raging inside” him, indicating that he continues to battle with his guilt and trauma. The “chill” he feels as he reveals his shame suggests the cold, haunting nature of his memories and the difficulty of confronting them.
[Outro]
I wear it like a tattoo
I wear it like a tattoo
I wear it like a tattoo
The repeated line “I wear it like a tattoo” signifies the permanence of his experiences and the indelible mark they have left on his soul. Just as a tattoo is a permanent mark on the skin, his memories and guilt are permanently etched into his being.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Like a Tattoo”
The inspiration behind Sade’s song “Like a Tattoo” comes from a personal encounter she had with a man who shared his haunting experiences from the Vietnam War.
During their conversation, he shared stories about his experiences, which included themes of war, trauma, and the emotional scars left by these events. This encounter deeply moved Sade and inspired her to write the song as an interpretation of what he told her.
The song explores the psychological impact of war. The man’s stories about his experiences in Vietnam, including witnessing or being involved in acts of violence, serve as the foundation for the song’s narrative.
The lyrics describe the man’s struggles with guilt, shame, and the burden of his youthful actions. The experiences he recounts, such as killing someone and being unable to face the sun, symbolize the heavy emotional burden he carries.
The metaphor of a tattoo is used to symbolize the permanent mark that these experiences leave on a person’s soul, much like a tattoo on the skin.
By saying “I wear it like a tattoo,” the narrator acknowledges that these experiences are a part of him and that he has come to terms with their permanence. This acceptance is a form of resilience, showing that while the past cannot be changed, it can be integrated into one’s identity.
In the end, the song resonates with many who have faced similar struggles, making it a poignant reflection on the human condition and the lasting effects of life’s adversities.
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.