Play your hand
Don't play it off
Don't play that game

Out of touch
There is no pride
In seconds lost

First cello suite
I know, I'm late
What do you care

Stop dragging feet
We can't go back
For seconds lost

Drive by don't stop
Drive by don't stop
Hate wins don't stop
Hate wins don't stop

Smooth the sheets
No one was here
And never will

Wind your watch
For seconds gone

Drive by don't stop
Drive by don't stop
Hate wins don't stop
Hate wins don't stop



Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by CloudEater

Thinking, That's All song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this song is about a relationship that never really gets anywhere. It was just a waste of time, but you can never get the time back. It also seems like it might have worked out, but it ended over something stupid. You know that you should try again, but you let hate and pride win. Unfortunately, this happens too often.

    aymieron May 07, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    it also seems to have a lot to do with deception. "smooth the sheets, no one was here" covering up lies...? i love jimmy eat world

    bovelueon June 15, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with aymier and bovelue's ideas. I think that time is a major theme. These lines: "there is no pride in seconds lost", "we can't go back for seconds lost", "wind your watch for seconds gone" are all about lost time or time that was wasted, as in a relationship or even something else. I think that this song is about a relationship which is worthless; that's why there are the lyc's, "smooth the sheets, no one was here". This illustrates the fact that the person wishes or tries to pretend that the relationship never happened. The line about winding your watch for seconds gone also goes along with this theme of lost time. --JimmyROX!

    JimmyMaverick²on July 23, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Well, what can I really say to express my feelings for this song besides "NYAH!" But seriously folks, I really wish you kids would stop playing your music so damn loud, you're making my nipples fall off. I don't know how much longer they'll be on sale at K-Mart, and I can't afford constantly buying new ones, so just gimme some root beer and we'll call it even.

    cheshireranch182on August 03, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it is about something different. To me this song may take place at a party or something. He arrives late and a girl there has been waiting for his arrival b/c they have a FWB (friends with benefits) type relationship. He has convinced her that its ok and to have fun every second of your life. So they fool around and make sure no one knows that they had. Then she feels guilty about it. She wants a real relationship and he does not. She gets mad b/c she feels connected to him through the things they have done together. He refuses have a real relationship with her and the song ends.

    Polyphemus99on August 28, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this is about a relationship like stated above but for me its more of, something that could've been beautiful but it got ruined as time moved on. Like a lot of relationships in life, something that started great and ended undone and unfinished. Static Prevails kicks so much ass, and I'm so glad SM is back :)

    saneon March 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this is about a relationship that could've turned into something so beautiful and so perfect but something came undone. It was ended unfinished, started with good intentions and broken off mid air. This has happened too many times to count.

    saneon March 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think this is about a relationship that could've turned into something so beautiful and so perfect but something came undone. It was ended unfinished, started with good intentions and broken off mid air. This has happened too many times to count.

    on March 04, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song seems a little more vague than most Jimmy Eat World songs, and thats saying something. To me it just seems about forgetting whats happened in the past and coming to terms with it. He talks about smoothing the sheets so no one knows, and turning back the clock. He seems angry about what happened but is ready to just forget the whole thing and move on. So much anger and desperation in Jim's voice when he sings this its amazing. Great song to open one of the best albums of all time. And does anyone know if thats Tom screaming in the back or what, cause it sounds perfect for the song.

    westbeach_21on March 16, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    If this song was a bit faster, it would be seriously hardcore...also more screaming, much more screaming, good driving song

    trueMeaningon April 14, 2004   Link

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