Every now and then I get like this
And it isn't hard to see
But the old man in the kitchen
I think he's part of me
Don't say nothing bout the old house
Cause I burned it to the ground
And when the darkness comes,
I lie awake
Playing lost and found
All at once
I break my silence
All at once
There's no more hiding
And all he wants
Is to show us how he feels
They're all liars in the back room
Watch them all go down
They can tell you what you want to hear
But they will never stick around
So don't say nothing 'bout the old house
Cause I burned it to the ground
And when the darkness comes
I'll lie and wait
Still playing lost and found
All at once
I break my silence
All at once
There's no more hiding
And all he wants
Is to show us how he feels
When he comes around
Do not tell him nothing
Do not make a sound
Cause if he knows we're there
He might tear his heart out
And beat us to death with it
I was too young to understand.


Lyrics submitted by ruben

All at Once Lyrics as written by Peter J. Yorn

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

All At Once song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

6 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is one of my favorite Pete Yorn songs. I went to one of his concerts this summer and he played it during the encore. It was so great. He said that a lot of people think that this song is about his father but that it is actually about his grandfather. I LOVE this song but I am still not totally sure what it means.

    mel310on October 29, 2005   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
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.