Only thing I've ever done
Ticking time is running out
Closest I've ever come
Ticking time is running out
Oh, so tired on my own
Ticking time is running out
Best days I have ever known
Ticking time is running out

Yesterday I found out the world was ending
Yesterday I found out the world was ending

A little more every day
Falls apart and slips away
I don't mind, I'm okay
Wish it didn't
Have to end this way

These four walls are closing in
Ticking time is running out
Oh, all the things that might have been
Ticking time is running out yeah
Watch young lovers walking by
Ticking time is running out yeah
God forgive me if I cry
Ticking time is running out

A little more every day
Falls apart and slips away

I don't mind, I'm okay
Nothing ever stays the same

While we can remember when
Always were, yeah
Even then
Stay with me
Hold me near
While I'm still here


Lyrics submitted by claudpeer, edited by Androgyne, freshym, SesameStreetwise, stryderinc, lawrenceff

While I'm Still Here Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor Hank Williams Sr.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

While I'm Still Here song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

7 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +6
    General Comment

    Yeah, I don't think so. Here's my take on it. It's about how different he has become since he made the Downward Spiral. He's talked much about the influences of that time in his life had on this album. The first stanza is about how he has aged and matured, and his fears of being too old to continue making music. Music is the "only thing he's ever done" The Downward Spiral is the "closest he has ever come" to being a total rock star considering the popularity gain he had during that time. Those times are also the "best times he's ever known" because that is when he was the most popular, and I think that sometimes we tend to romanticize our sadness/depression, plus we're often nostalgic as well. I think he is very proud of himself in ways. He's proud that he felt that way, but has overcome it. What he means by "Yesterday I found out the world was ending" is about how his reign as THE rock star has ended. He's no longer in the lime light or on magazine covers like he was during the 90's. The next part is about how he has changed. A little more of his past self slips away, his old addicted, depressed, and destructive self, but he doesn't mind because now he is happy and at peace with himself. He has won the battle. He wishes it didn't have to end this way, because he wishes he could have gone out on top. He wishes he could have remained popular. He wishes he could have given more to the world. And perhaps, he has bittersweet feelings about his inability to write as well, lyrically, since he is happy and drug free. He's glad he's no longer drowning in destruction, but wishes he could have retained that muse that guided him through his previous masterwork. I think the next stanza is about regret. I think a part of him misses being young again. Also, it may not be a stretch to say that he's going through a bit of a mid-life-crisis. He is a middle-aged man after all. I think part of him regrets the way he kind of destroyed/wasted his early life, his prime, through drugs, etc....The final part is again more reflective. He's saying, "well, at least I have the memories..." and he's realizing that he's spent his whole life chasing after fame and fortune and happiness, and now I think he has that and kind of feels a little bit hollow, like he has nothing left to chase after, nothing else to gain. All he can hope for now is hope that those who love him, and I mean this in a very broad sense (his wife, kids, family, friends, and fans) will continue to stay with him and love him. I think he may feel a little bit "disappointed" with himself. Like he isn't the man he used to be. Maybe he wishes he would of had the love and support he has now 20 years ago when he was going through the hardest times of his life. Maybe he feels like he doesn't have much to offer the world or those he is close to anymore.

    Androgyneon September 16, 2013   Link

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

Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". 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.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Album art
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms. “Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.