Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Did you happen to catch or did it happen so fast
What you thought would always last has passed you by
Is everything speeding up
Or am I slowing down, I'm just spinning around
And I don't know why
All the pieces don't fit
Thought I didn't give a shit
I never wanted to be like you
But for all I aspire, I am really a liar
And I'm running out of things I can do
I'd like to stay but every day
Everything pushes me farther away
If you could show, help me to know
How it's supposed to be
Where did it go?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Well okay, enough, you've had your fun
But come on there has to be someone
That hasn't yet become so numb and succumb
And god damn I am so tired of pretending
Of wishing I was ending
When all I'm really doing is trying to hide
And keep it inside and fill it with lies
Open my eyes, maybe I wish I could try
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
What you thought would always last has passed you by
Is everything speeding up
Or am I slowing down, I'm just spinning around
And I don't know why
All the pieces don't fit
Thought I didn't give a shit
I never wanted to be like you
But for all I aspire, I am really a liar
And I'm running out of things I can do
I'd like to stay but every day
Everything pushes me farther away
If you could show, help me to know
How it's supposed to be
Where did it go?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Well okay, enough, you've had your fun
But come on there has to be someone
That hasn't yet become so numb and succumb
And god damn I am so tired of pretending
Of wishing I was ending
When all I'm really doing is trying to hide
And keep it inside and fill it with lies
Open my eyes, maybe I wish I could try
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Pleading and needing
And bleeding and breeding
Feeding, exceeding
Where is everybody?
Trying and lying
Defying, denying
Crying and dying
Where is everybody?
Lyrics submitted by thewhitepony33, edited by Trismagistus
Where Is Everybody? Lyrics as written by Trent Reznor
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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,
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Trent feels abandoned and betrayed by "everyone" (obviously his friends or family, or the people who promised to be there and weren't). In other words, there's many people who are along for the ride of fame and fortune and such, but when Trent needs a shoulder to cry on or something to hold him, no one is there.
"I'm so tired of pretending of wishing I was ending" ---he's tired of pretending he's suicidal and depressed when all he really wants is someone to be there for him. . . and not have to 'live up' to other's expectations. He wants to be himself.