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"
When I saw you walking by
I could not believe my eyes
Underneath the city lights
Reflecting all your curves just right
Can I have your attention
For a moment
I just need to say something
If you've got the time
Then I got the reason for the sin
If you've got the time
Then I got the reason for the sin
Have you been looking out
Have you been watching my back
My patience is running out
And I can't seem to stay on the right track
Your wanting eyes
keep me coming back for more and more each time
Lets get this right
'Cause there is no second chance after tonight
No chance after tonight
I know you've got it in you
Won't you let it out (Let it out)
Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside
If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong
Maybe we can make a difference in somebody life
In somebody
I won't to be part of the riot
I won't to be part of the revolution
You think you're keeping us quiet
We are not the problem but we are the solution
I wont to be part of the riot
I wont to be part of the revolution
You think you're keeping us quiet
We are not the problem but we are the solution
Let's get this right
'Cause there are no second chances
I know you've got it in you
Won't you let it out (Let it out)
Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside
If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong
Maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life
I know you've got it in you
Won't you let it out (Let it out)
Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside
If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong
Maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life
In somebody
I could not believe my eyes
Underneath the city lights
Reflecting all your curves just right
Can I have your attention
For a moment
I just need to say something
If you've got the time
Then I got the reason for the sin
If you've got the time
Then I got the reason for the sin
Have you been looking out
Have you been watching my back
My patience is running out
And I can't seem to stay on the right track
Your wanting eyes
keep me coming back for more and more each time
Lets get this right
'Cause there is no second chance after tonight
No chance after tonight
I know you've got it in you
Won't you let it out (Let it out)
Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside
If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong
Maybe we can make a difference in somebody life
In somebody
I won't to be part of the riot
I won't to be part of the revolution
You think you're keeping us quiet
We are not the problem but we are the solution
I wont to be part of the riot
I wont to be part of the revolution
You think you're keeping us quiet
We are not the problem but we are the solution
Let's get this right
'Cause there are no second chances
I know you've got it in you
Won't you let it out (Let it out)
Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside
If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong
Maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life
I know you've got it in you
Won't you let it out (Let it out)
Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside
If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong
Maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life
In somebody
Lyrics submitted by TerribleThings___x
A Sin to Hold On To Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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Great version of a great song,
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This song strikes me as strange because of the possible implications of the lyrics.
When I saw you walking by, I could not believe my eyes. Underneath the city lights, reflecting all your curves just right. Can I have your attention for a moment? I just need to say something. If you've got the time then I've got the reason for the sin. If you've got the time then I've got the reason for the sin.
The first verse seems like a proposition to a curvy woman in the city. That makes me think prostitute. Well, she could also just be an acquaintance he happens to see in the city. Clubbing maybe? Whatever the case may be, he's motivated to sin with her.
Have you been looking out? Have you been watching my back? My patience is running out and I can't seem to stay on the right track.
He talks about his patience running out and being unable to stay on the right track. So, it sounds like he's repeating some sort of sin, probably sexual if my interpretation of the first verse is accurate at all. He also asks if "you" [Who I assume to be the woman since the song is modeled like a one sided conversation] is watching his back and looking out. It sounds like discovery would get him into trouble.
Your wanting eyes keep me coming back for more and more each time. Let's get this right cause there is no second chance after tonight. No chance after tonight.
This stanza has a certain finality to it. He wants to get something right because the chance to do so won't be presented later. This makes me think he wants to leave. It seems like her eyes will still be there, so he must be the one motivated to change the situation. Maybe he wants to make amends for their sins.
I know you've got it in you, won't you let it out? Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside. If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong. Then maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life. In somebody...
This sounds like he's pleading with her to find some sort of inner strength. Maybe she's grown dependent upon their sin. It might be an addiction of some sort if not sexual, though the "reflecting all your curves" line would seem out of place if that were the case. It sounds like he wants both of them to decide to walk away from their sin and stay strong so they could possibly make a difference in the lives of others. Maybe the others are future love interests. If their sin is a sexual affair, then that would make sense. They wouldn't be able to have healthy relationships with others if they continued in their sin.
I won't be part of the riot. I won't be part of the revolution. They think they are keeping us quiet. We aren't the problem. But we are the solution.
Sorry, I've got nothing here. I don't really get this stanza. Is "they" the members of the riot/revolution? What riot is he talking about? And, if he and she are part of the solution instead of the problem, what is the problem?
About the riot and revolution, often times I go to church and they talk about the sexual revolution that the world is in today. Everything is over-sexed. In advertising, the show females off, in movies the obscene views are more prevalent today than ever. By saying they won't be part of the riot, and that they won't be part of the revolution, the man in this instance is trying to get out of this sexual revolution. He wants to get out of this sin, even if it's a sin to hold onto, because trust me lust isn't the easiest thing to overcome. Society (they) think that they could keep this whole thing quiet, because no one is going to come right out and say I'm having multiple affairs with this woman. And then they address the problem that so many people today think there is something messed up with themselves when they succumb to the temptation of this sexual revolution. Emery is saying we aren't the problem guys, we need to get out of this revolution and stick up for what is right and we will overcome this sexual revolution.<br /> <br /> I could be way off, but that's what I got from that line and I think it makes the most sense in accordance to the rest of the song.
first to comment whoo hoo! I LOVE THIS SONG! One of my favorites off the new album
Same here - one of my favorites :)
yeah it has a realy cool sound to it, but so so alot of there songs. i love this band
When I listened to this the first time, I sort of got a "Winston to Julia" vibe from 1984... but when I looked at the lyrics closely, I wasn't too sure. Maybe because Winston was never really that optimistic, heh. I don't know, it's just an idea.
That said, if it's possible to interpret the word "sin" in a social context instead of a moral context, it may be talking about two people who are doing something that society would look down on, but they don't care because it's a "sin to hold on to."
I also agree with the Darkninja on the revolution/solution lines, when I say I have no idea what to make of that.
It seems to me like the first part it about a girl who gives her body to guys all the time, but won't ever let them actually have a relationship with her. "your wanting eyes keep me coming back for more and more" "i know you've got it in you so let it out"- he knows she has the ability to have a real relationship, but she refuses to let herself.
the whole verse about the riot..
interesting song.. optimistic as usual!
Keeping in mind that Emery is Christian I would like to propose this interpretation
When I saw you walking by, I could not believe my eyes. Underneath the city lights, reflecting all your curves just right. Can I have your attention for a moment? I just need to say something. If you've got the time then I've got the reason for the sin. If you've got the time then I've got the reason for the sin.
The start of the relationship was based on physical attraction and sexual desire taking over.
Have you been looking out? Have you been watching my back? My patience is running out and I can't seem to stay on the right track.
The struggle to remain "good" with the temptations of lust, the narrators partner is being reached out to to help them get back on track
Your wanting eyes keep me coming back for more and more each time. Let's get this right cause there is no second chance after tonight. No chance after tonight.
The ultimatum, we either stop the (I'm just going to assume) premarital sexual relations and be good, or we are over for good.
I know you've got it in you, won't you let it out? Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside. If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong. Then maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life. In somebody...
Encouraging their partner, referencing becoming role models for others.
I won't be part of the riot. I won't be part of the revolution. They think they are keeping us quiet. We aren't the problem. But we are the solution.
the riot and revolution are referencing societies now lax opinions on premarital relations. They are the solution, they stopped and went back and are now "good"
Let's get this right, 'cause there are no second chances.
saying that they cannot slip up.
I know you got it in you, won't you let it out? (let it out) Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside. If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong. Then maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life. I know you got it in you, won't you let it out? (let it out) Dig a little deeper and I know you'll find strength inside. If we can be the ones to hold on, to stay strong. Then maybe we can make a difference in somebody's life.
The continued strength needed, and motivation to remain "pure"