In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
I think of all the places I've been
It always comes down to one thing
The only place I want to be is with you
I think of all the faces I've seen
And though they all mean something to me
The only face I want to see belongs to you
All the places I've been meant nothing
They were nowhere 'cause you were not there
Everything I've been through
Everything before you
Was just time moving on with no meaning
You're what was missing
I think of all the people I've known
And some I've loved with all of my soul
But the one that I have loved the most is you
I think of all the things that I've learned
And after all the pages I've turned
The only place I want to turn is to you
All the places I've been meant nothing
They were nowhere 'cause you were not there
Everything I've been through
Everything before you
Was just time moving on with no meaning
You're what was missing
I think of all the places I've been
And it always comes down to one thing
The only place I want to be is with you
And after everything that I've done
And after everyone that I've loved
The only thing I know is true
The only place I want to be is with you
The only place I want to be is with you
The only place I want to be is with you
It always comes down to one thing
The only place I want to be is with you
I think of all the faces I've seen
And though they all mean something to me
The only face I want to see belongs to you
All the places I've been meant nothing
They were nowhere 'cause you were not there
Everything I've been through
Everything before you
Was just time moving on with no meaning
You're what was missing
I think of all the people I've known
And some I've loved with all of my soul
But the one that I have loved the most is you
I think of all the things that I've learned
And after all the pages I've turned
The only place I want to turn is to you
All the places I've been meant nothing
They were nowhere 'cause you were not there
Everything I've been through
Everything before you
Was just time moving on with no meaning
You're what was missing
I think of all the places I've been
And it always comes down to one thing
The only place I want to be is with you
And after everything that I've done
And after everyone that I've loved
The only thing I know is true
The only place I want to be is with you
The only place I want to be is with you
The only place I want to be is with you
Lyrics submitted by Rainforest_elf
Places I've Been Lyrics as written by Diane Eve Warren
Lyrics © Realsongs
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.