I walk into this room
All eyes on me now
But I do not know the people inside
Look straight through me these eyes
Seeking more wisdom
Than I have to give away
Realize realize
What you are

[Chorus:]
What you've become
Just as I have
Are you and I so unalike
Huddled here
You just as I am
Afraid if we dance
We will die
Mock the world
Live safe say why
Don't you know
When you give life
Then you become
What you are

The sea is unsparing
We're all drifting away
Away from you
But I pray for you now
Hoping to god on high
Is like clinging to straws
While drowning oh

[Chorus]

What you are
Is a best in a lover's arms
What you are
Is the devil in a sweet sweet kiss
What you are
Is a puzzle to me

[Chorus]


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

What You Are Lyrics as written by David Matthews Glen Ballard

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

What You Are song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

42 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    I totaly agree. This is so obviously a cry out of frustration. I graduated from a divinity school, so I know a thing or two about religious f**kers that think they are holy and righteous. He (much like myself) is tired of hearing about how much better you can be. He is saying that he is sick of always feeling inadequate becuase some hypocrite told him that he needed to change things about himself.

    My favorite part is in the live version where he says, "But you pray down on your knees mother F*ckers, you don't say God is on my side." To me, this is a reference to these religious people. They view themsleves as so holy, and they are doing all of the right actions, but there is nothing in their heart to back it up. They look at him and tell him that he's not going to go to heaven because Christianity is like a club to these people. Dave is not in their club. He, however thwarted his actions may be, has a much clearer interpretation of who God really is.

    famenon May 02, 2006   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.