This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
When you know
You don't need the time to talk about it
When you hear
You're heart says that you'll be fine without it
It's hard to find the strength to fight a battle
You're not winning
From the outside we appear to be
The way we've always been
How I look and how I feel
What I'm told and what is real
That's two different things
What they ask and what I pay
What I think and what I say
That's two different things
It isn't kind, it isn't fair
I have to draw the line somewhere
And face the tears that it brings
'Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Don't you see
We've been nothing but a grand illusion
Pardon me if I show the world trace we're using
Well I'm the first to tell you now
That half the blame is mine
We could keep pretending that tomorrow will be fine
How I look and how I feel
What I'm told and what is real
That's two different things
What they ask and what I pay
What I think and what I say
That's two different things
It isn't kind, it isn't fair
I have to draw the line somewhere
And face the tears that it brings
'Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Everything you offer me
Should make me turn and stay
Black is white and wrong is right
And it's hard to live that way
How I look and how I feel
What I'm told and what is real
That's two different things
What they ask and what I pay
What I think and what I say
That's two different things
It isn't kind, it isn't fair
I have to draw the line somewhere
And face the tears that it brings
'Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Oh yeah, two different things
Two different things
You don't need the time to talk about it
When you hear
You're heart says that you'll be fine without it
It's hard to find the strength to fight a battle
You're not winning
From the outside we appear to be
The way we've always been
How I look and how I feel
What I'm told and what is real
That's two different things
What they ask and what I pay
What I think and what I say
That's two different things
It isn't kind, it isn't fair
I have to draw the line somewhere
And face the tears that it brings
'Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Don't you see
We've been nothing but a grand illusion
Pardon me if I show the world trace we're using
Well I'm the first to tell you now
That half the blame is mine
We could keep pretending that tomorrow will be fine
How I look and how I feel
What I'm told and what is real
That's two different things
What they ask and what I pay
What I think and what I say
That's two different things
It isn't kind, it isn't fair
I have to draw the line somewhere
And face the tears that it brings
'Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Everything you offer me
Should make me turn and stay
Black is white and wrong is right
And it's hard to live that way
How I look and how I feel
What I'm told and what is real
That's two different things
What they ask and what I pay
What I think and what I say
That's two different things
It isn't kind, it isn't fair
I have to draw the line somewhere
And face the tears that it brings
'Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Cause what you've got and what I need
Is two different things
Oh yeah, two different things
Two different things
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
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
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.