This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
We get high in back seats of cars
We break into mobile homes
We go to sleep to shake appeal
Never wake up on our own
And that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
We go out in stormy weather
We rarely practice discern
We make love to some weird sin
We seek out the taciturn
And that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
Well, that's the way we get by
That's the way we get by
We found a new kind of dance in a magazine
Tried it out, it's like nothing you ever seen
You sweet talk like a cop and you know it
You bought a new bag of pot, said, "let's make a new start"
And that's the way to my heart
The way to my heart
That's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
Well, that's the way we get by
That's the way we get by
We get high in back seats of cars
We put faith in our concerns
Fall in love to down on the street
We believe in the sum of ourselves
I said, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
That's the way we get by
That's the way we get by
We break into mobile homes
We go to sleep to shake appeal
Never wake up on our own
And that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
We go out in stormy weather
We rarely practice discern
We make love to some weird sin
We seek out the taciturn
And that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
Well, that's the way we get by
That's the way we get by
We found a new kind of dance in a magazine
Tried it out, it's like nothing you ever seen
You sweet talk like a cop and you know it
You bought a new bag of pot, said, "let's make a new start"
And that's the way to my heart
The way to my heart
That's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
Well, that's the way we get by
That's the way we get by
We get high in back seats of cars
We put faith in our concerns
Fall in love to down on the street
We believe in the sum of ourselves
I said, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Oh, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
Well, that's the way we get by
The way we get by
The way
That's the way we get by
That's the way we get by
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More Featured Meanings
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
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.
OK, well to attack everyone on different levels,
First I'll go after the people I like most, those who hate the O.C. people. As much as I agree that the show is one of the worst shows becauses it uses predictable plot lines and sex to get people to watch it, and then tells people how life should be, if it has good music, it has good music. I hate when people act as if they are Spoon themselves, and that their music shouldn't be listened to by everyone. Spoon can give out it's rights to anyone, and so what if trendy little tweens listen to The Way We Get By and get the giggles because they said pot. I have faith in the great songs they put on those shows in that they can handle the two weeks the idiots will listen to it and then find whatever is the new hit song from the show. Although I can understand your feelings, don't let these people bother you since it isn't your music in the first place.
Secondly, I am attacking anyone naive to think that this song isn't about drugs, especailly pot, or anyone who is naive enough to put a negative connotation on pot. Obviously, the life of a stereotypical stoner is not a good one to live, but if people actually knew anything about marijuanna, you would know that it isn't going to kill you, and the damage it causes is minimal. It is a great song, so enjoy it, but don't try to pretend you don't year what you are listening to.
Thirdly, I am going to attack anyone who thinks this song is just about pot, however, this isn't really a harsh attack since you would have had to read Trainspotting to see where i am comming from. If you have read Trainspotting, it is about heroin addicts who are huge fans of Iggy Pop and The Stooges. While Spoon (like what you cook heroin on) may just also be big fans of IP, I find it odd that they would break into mobile homes, go out in stormy weather, and rarely practice dicern becuase of pot. This sounds more like someone who needs their fix, similar to the book/movie when he fishes through the shit to find the suppositories. Also, the idea that they are the sum of themselves, as in better together, makes me think that the group relies on each other for getting the gear.
As to the idea of this song being negative, I think it is sort of negative from an outsider view, and from the singer, almost negative in the fact that he is aware of all the redic stuff they do for their gear, but neutral in that it is just life for them. Sort of like the song Time to Pretend by MGMT.