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"
Once you said you'd stick to it until the end
I guess you lied, they call it suicide
Now you're gone
What was so wrong that you couldn't find a way to carry on?
Second guess
Did I do my best
There was a friend I had
[Chorus]
Johnny was a weirdo
So what did you expect?
I ain't no fucking hero
I'm just trying to survive myself
I should have known you went through it alone
I wonder why did you even try?
You could have come to me
I would have helped you see
You could have found a way to carry on
Second guess
Did I do my best
There was a friend I had...
[Chorus]
'Johnny's strange behavior was a tip-off,' they say
But I ain't no fucking savior
I'm just living day by day
Little things, little lives hanging 'til the end
I say it doesn't really mean nothing
Telling truth, telling lies
I used to have a friend
I say it don't really mean nothing
And I can't let this feeling go
Let this feeling go
Let this feeling go
I guess you lied, they call it suicide
Now you're gone
What was so wrong that you couldn't find a way to carry on?
Second guess
Did I do my best
There was a friend I had
[Chorus]
Johnny was a weirdo
So what did you expect?
I ain't no fucking hero
I'm just trying to survive myself
I should have known you went through it alone
I wonder why did you even try?
You could have come to me
I would have helped you see
You could have found a way to carry on
Second guess
Did I do my best
There was a friend I had...
[Chorus]
'Johnny's strange behavior was a tip-off,' they say
But I ain't no fucking savior
I'm just living day by day
Little things, little lives hanging 'til the end
I say it doesn't really mean nothing
Telling truth, telling lies
I used to have a friend
I say it don't really mean nothing
And I can't let this feeling go
Let this feeling go
Let this feeling go
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The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I very much agree with anarchy. Ignition as a whole doesn't get the attention it deserves. Since it was before Offspring was a big hit, it's themes are much harder and darker. This song like Amazed or End of the line show who deep a punk band can be
thats weird anarchysomething44, on several message boards, internet games, my tag is nohero. My Aol SN is NoHero28. This has been the first time I have found someone using a similar screen name online and I kinda felt good. This song owns in all ways, one of my favorite Offspring songs. I agree with all of you about the meaning, its pretty clear. And Acidus, Ignition stands as one of my top all time albums.
To my friend Tim. Why didn't you come to me? Why didn't you let me now? I was there, I know how it feels man, I know, I know, I know damn it! And to all those people who think I'm full of crap, YOU CAN KISS MY ASS!!!! You wasn't shit to me and you never will be!
pretty clear. a very good friend of his commmited suicide, and now he regrets that he couldn't help him or something like that. LOVE THE OFFSPRING
This is one of my 2 favorite Offspring songs. (the other is 'Gone Away'). My screen name on aim is Nohero44. This song is so powerful, talking about suicide. The serious songs of The Offspring are the best. What is up with "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" and "Original Prankster"? They are okay i guess but not as good as songs like this.
this song is no doubt one of the best by offspring. but it's so hard to choose all there songs are awesome
thats weird anarchysomething44, on several message boards, internet games, my tag is nohero. My Aol SN is NoHero28. This has been the first time I have found someone using a similar screen name online and I kinda felt good. This song owns in all ways, one of my favorite Offspring songs. I agree with all of you about the meaning, its pretty clear. And Acidus, Ignition stands as one of my top all time albums.
i love the guitar in the beginning and the lyrics. i think ignition is one of their best albums, so i don't understand why other people always say americana is so good. but yeah i love their deeper lyrics.
I mean, The Offspring really need to do more songs like this. Not many bands touch on the subjects of loss and suicide, but The Offspring can and should more often. Their fun songs like Pretty Fly and Don't Pick It Up are cool, but they can really speak to people (like me) with deeper, emotional, meaningful songs like this, Gone Away, Amazed, Change The World, The End of the Line, etc. These guys can put poetry in motion. Great song from an underrated and ignored album. I know what this feels like all too much, trying to reach out to someone when it's already too late...
'Johnny's strange behavior was a tip-off,' they say
Sounds like people are blaming the narrator for Johnny's suicide. As if the narrator murdered him. But it was Johnny's decision - the blame is being misplaced. Also, perhaps the narrator is blaming himself, and it doesn't help when other people reinforce this misguided belief. It's not the narrator's fault.