the entire empire state, it couldn't hold me back
cos i was driving away from faces that I couldn't leave their place in
and that's all right and that's ok by me
and that's all right and that's ok by me

i've got a couple of books on tape and a fresh pack of cigarettes

and if i feel too pushed, the words seem to disappear
so i'll take you up on the ferris wheel or simply grab your hand
and that's alright and that's ok by me
and that's alright and that's ok by me

i've got a couple of books on tape and a fresh pack of cigarettes
and i've been over it twenty times, but i guess i'll have to do it again


Lyrics submitted by balalín

Empire State song meanings
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5 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    i think it's 'grab your hand'

    my 8-bit loveon February 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is my favorite all-time qb song, ben has a great voice.

    Bergyon March 31, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I hope Ben releases another ATQ album, I love his solo work.

    cougheeon March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I hope Ben releases another ATQ album, I love his solo work.

    cougheeon March 08, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    just a vague idea, but it seems to be about his cowardice, kinda like when the going gets tough he just leaves.

    "and i've been over it twenty times, but i guess i'll have to do it again"

    the first line seems to show his eagerness for getting out of the "entire empire state" (new york, i'm guessing?), and nothing holds him back there anyway.

    i'm not too sure about the second line. the way he uses "faces" seems to show that he can't distinguish between people anymore there; they are meaningless.

    "and if i feel too pushed, the words seem to disappear" could be referring to an argument he had that made him want to leave new york in the first place, because he feels "pushed", so him (and his words) disappear.

    the next line could be about his last attempt to "win her back", or make it ok by taking her on a ferris wheel or grabbing her hand??

    the repitition of "and that alright and that's ok by me", makes it seem as if it's not alright with him, he's sick of always running away, but he'll just have to go through it again.

    clsr556on September 09, 2007   Link

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