In this song, it is sung about how radically a person’s life has changed with the appearance of a girl in his life. He compares himself to inanimate objects, but as soon as he met her, he came to life, became like a jellyfish and he is happy about it
Andy Partridge, the songwriter, said it was base...
[Chorus]
When you're near me, I have difficulty respirating
When you're near me, I have difficulty concentrating
When you're near me, I have difficulty standing upright
When you're near me, I have difficulty sleeping at night
[Verse 1]
I used to stand proud like a sphinx
In a noble, immovable state
And then your heart nailed me under a jinx
Now I'm feeling like a jellyfish
Just a spineless, wobbly jellyfish
And it's great, great, so great
[Chorus]
When you're near me, I have difficulty respirating
When you're near me, I have difficulty concentrating
When you're near me, I have difficulty standing upright
When you're near me, I have difficulty sleeping at night
[Verse 2]
I used to stand high like a pine
Just a piece of emotionless wood
And when you put your body near mine
Now I'm feeling like a jellyfish
Just a spineless, wobbly jellyfish
And it's good, good, so good
[Bridge]
I used to be an iceman, living in an iceman town
So I'm warning all you cool, cool icemen
Better be prepared to be melted right down!
Down!
[Instrumental break]
[Chorus]
When you're near me, I have difficulty respirating
When you're near me, I have difficulty concentrating
When you're near me, I have difficulty standing upright
When you're near me, I have difficulty sleeping at night
[Outro]
When you're near me, I have difficulty
When you're near me, I have difficulty
When you're near me, I have difficulty...
When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty was written by Andy Partridge.
When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty was produced by Steve Lillywhite.
XTC released When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty on Fri Aug 17 1979.