I'm tired of waking up in tears,
'Cause I can't put to bed these phobias and fears
I'm new to this grief I can't explain;
But I'm no stranger to the heartache and the pain

The fire I began, is burning me alive
But I know better than to leave and let it die
I'm a silhouette asking every now and then
Is it over yet? Will I ever feel again?
I'm a Silhouette chasing rainbows on my own
But the more I try to move on the more I feel alone
So I watch the summer stars to lead me home
I'm sick of the past I can't erase,
A jumble of footprints and hasty steps I can't retrace,
The mountains of things that I still regret,
Is a vile reminder that I would rather just forget
(No matter where I go)

The fire I began, is burning me alive
But I know better than to leave and let it die
I'm a silhouette asking every now and then
Is it over yet? Will I ever smile again?
I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own
But the more I try to move on the more I feel alone
So I watch the summer stars to lead me home

'Cause I walk alone, no matter where I go
'Cause I walk alone, no matter where I go
'Cause I walk alone, no matter where I go

I'm a silhouette asking every now and then
Is it over yet? Will I ever love again?
I'm a silhouette chasing rainbows on my own
But the more I try to move on the more I feel alone
So I watch the summer stars to lead me home
I watch the summer stars to lead me home


Lyrics submitted by whcodered

Silhouette Lyrics as written by Christopher Young

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Silhouette song meanings
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7 Comments

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  • +8
    My Opinion

    How does this not have any comments? Oh, well, this is my new favorite song. It's a song that perfectly describes that feeling when you're trying to get away from a broken heart, but you just can't. Almost everyone can identify with it somehow, and the lyrics have that special touch to them that marks Owl City. The music, it's so perfect. I love the curtain sound effects in the beginning and end, and the way the simple piano slowly progresses into a full arrangement, yet still manages to remain quiet, is genius. All in all, a stellar piece.

    oceanheart13on August 23, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    this is the saddest song i've ever heard. ever. it's so nice though

    infinitypoolon September 08, 2012   Link
  • +2
    My Interpretation

    I find more to this song than just a broken heart that can't be let go of. I believe Adam's writing about being on tour and just wanting to go home.

    I'm tired of waking up in tears, 'Cause I can't put to bed these phobias and fears

    He's affriad of messing up on stage.

    I'm new to this grief I can't explain; But I'm no stranger to the heartache and the pain

    This fear is new to him, but he's experience the pain it causes before.

    The fire I began, is burning me alive But I know better than to leave and let it die

    He started the project Owl City, which is now starting to overwhelm him. But he knows that he should follow through with it.

    I'm a silhouette asking...

    A silhouette is a simple representation of something, but it lacks detail. It tells you what it is, but nothing about it. When Adam's on stage he's a silhouette. He performs and you see Owl City. But he's nervouse and he'd rather be at home.

    Is it over yet? Will I ever feel again?

    He wonder's if this tour will ever end.

    But the more I try to move on the more I feel alone

    The harder he tries, the more tired out he feels. After all, he's an introvert.

    So I watch the summer stars to lead me home

    Adam's a Christian, so I see this as him looking to God for help in a hard time.

    I'm sick of the past I can't erase, A jumble of footprints and hasty steps I can't retrace, The mountains of things that I still regret, Is a vile reminder that I would rather just forget (No matter where I go)

    This whole tour thing's got him down and when you're feeling down you often think of other times when you failed or made mistakes and it pulls you down further. He'd rather just forget these things. Also, the "no matter where I go" implies that he's traveling, thus on tour.

    (Chorus)

    'Cause I walk alone, no matter where I go 'Cause I walk alone, no matter where I go 'Cause I walk alone, no matter where I go

    Like I said, he's an introvert. And introverts need their time alone to recharge. Again, "no matter where I go" implying that he's on the band wagon...

    (Chorus)

    NOTE: Now don't get me wrong; Adam's a fantastic individual! And I'm not saying that he's faking happiness up on stage and that he really hates everyone. I'm just saying that he doesn't prefer to tour.

    strillweetson June 02, 2014   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I have to wonder if this song has anything to do with Taylor Swift. For those not aware, Swift's song "Enchanted" is about Young, and he even did his own version of the song in reply to hers. Basically they met and they liked each other but he was pretty shy and blah blah blah. You guys should look it up. Anyway, in Taylor's song, she sings about his "silhouette" crossing the room. So here's my interpretation, based on the very loose idea that this one word and Young's regretful nature in the song equal him and Swift:

    "I'm a silhouette asking every now and then Is it over yet? Will I ever feel again?"

    He lost her, and now he's in the dumps. All he will ever be is that silhouette.

    "I'm sick of the past I can't erase, A jumble of footprints and hasty steps I can't retrace, The mountains of things that I still regret, Is a vile reminder that I would rather just forget"

    THIS is the verse that made me think Young was regretting his awkward meeting with Taylor Swift. Could've been something, but it just didn't happen.

    It's just a theory, but the song is quite obviously about pain and heartbreak, so I thought I'd provide a more thorough analyzation.

    modelmollyon March 31, 2015   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I think adam just did something that effected his life in a bad way, and he feels terrible about it so he wrote this song.

    And it's beautiful

    fl1ppyf1shon February 21, 2013   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion

    This is about regret and depression. Feelings that can be overwhelming that he can't explain. Why is it that we always try and find reasons and blame for the way we feel? Sometimes it is just biology sometimes it is not. Sometimes, it just is. It exists and we have to overcome. He also references past regrets and mistakes made in his past that haunt him- steps he had taken in haste. He overemphasizes them due to obsessive thoughts that drive him to the regret and depression. It feels like a vicious cycle. It is not just about a broken heart from lost love. He is trying to feel substance in himself but finds it very difficult, and people can empathize but he knows he walks alone and has to do this himself. There is hope in the Summer Stars. A reference perhaps to nature or a Deity that can help him. Something larger than himself to help him finally get home, or in other words, a place of peace.

    Bman05on May 23, 2014   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    "I'm tired of waking up to tears. 'Cause I can't put to bed these phobias and fears."

    His constant fear of social interaction and dealing with people.

    "The fire I've started is burning me alive."

    He feels the relationships he's started are turning south and he can't repair the damage he's supposedly done.

    I know these feelings way to well. I think this just might be a representation or allegory for Autism. Just sayin.

    Jaron Simonon May 27, 2016   Link

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